Health Share - This Month's Health Focus
September is Healthy Aging Month
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The Educational Television Network is sponsoring its annual observance of Healthy Aging Month in September. The campaign was created over 15 years ago to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older. Since many congregations consist of older adults, September is a good time for churches to remind elder members the importance of taking steps to improve their spiritual, physical, mental, social, and financial health. The Balm In Gilead, Inc. joins the Educational Television Network in promoting Healthy Aging.
What follows is some prevention information for older adults. Additional information as well as resource materials can be found on the Healthy Aging website at www.healthyaging.net. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also provides a wealth of information for older adults on its website at www.cdc.gov.
HIV/AIDS Prevention for Older Adults
The number of people aged 50 years and older living with HIV/AIDS has been increasing in recent years, according to the CDC. This is partly due to improvements in medication which make it possible for many HIV-infected persons to live longer, and partly due to newly-diagnosed infections in older adults.The CDC reports that in 2005, persons aged 50 and older accounted for 15% of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses and 24% of persons living with HIV/AIDS (which represents an increase from 17% in 2001). The rates of HIV/AIDS among older African Americans ages 50 and older were 12 times higher than that of whites. These data are based on reports from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.
Older adults may not think of themselves at risk of getting infected with HIV. However, if they are having sex outside of a mutually monogamous relationship in which both partners know each others’ serostatus, or using or injecting drugs, they are at risk of HIV.
Older adults can protect themselves by doing the following:
- Abstaining from sex until they are in a relationship with only one person and the two of them are only having sex with one another and they know each other’s serostatus. People over 50 may be newly single through divorce or death of their spouse. It is important to have the facts about HIV before beginning to date and have sex with someone new.
- Getting tested for HIV whenever they have a regular medical check-up if they are having sex or injecting drugs.
- Talking about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) with each partner before they have sex. Learn as much as they can about each partner’s past behavior (sex and drug use) and consider the risks to their health before they have sex.
- Using a latex condom correctly every time they have sex.
- Not share needles or syringes. They can get HIV through needles and syringes if they are contaminated with the blood of someone who has HIV.
- Avoiding using alcohol or illicit drugs if they are planning to have sex. Alcohol and other drugs can lower inhibitions and cause people to do things they wouldn’t normally do.
- Remembering the ABCs (Abstinence, Be Faithful, Use Condoms Correctly and Consistently)
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/over50/links.htm
Depression is Not a Normal Part of Growing Older
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Depression is a treatable medical condition, not a normal part of aging. However, older adults are at an increased risk for experiencing depression. Depression is not just having the blues or the emotions people feel when grieving the loss of a loved one. It is a treatable medical condition just like diabetes or hypertension. Older adults are often misdiagnosed and under-treated, according to the CDC. Some healthcare providers may mistake an older person’s symptoms as just a natural reaction to illness or life changes related to getting older.
Older adults themselves sometimes share this belief and do not seek help. The good news is that the majority of older adults are not depressed. Estimates of depression among older adults range from 1$% to 5% of adults who live in the community, 13.5% of those who require home health care, and 11.5% of those in hospitals.
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Irritability, restlessness
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
- Insomnia – early morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
- Overeating or appetite loss
- Thought of suicide or suicide attempts
Participating in new activities, hobbies, and exercise can be good ways to help prevent depression for some individuals.
How Much Physical Activity Do Older Adults Need?
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Physical activity is essential to healthy aging. Exercise can help prevent many health problems and help muscles grow stronger so older adults can live independently and keep doing their day-to-day activities. If a person is 65 years or older, are generally fit, and have no limiting health conditions, the CDC recommends the following guidelines. It is always advisable for people to check with their physicians before starting an exercise program.
Older adults need at least one of the following combinations of exercise:
- 2½ hours a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., brisk walking) plus 2 or more days of muscle strengthening activities that work all the major muscle groups.
- 1¼ hours a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., jogging or running) plus 2 or more days of muscle strengthening activities that work all the major muscle groups.
- An equivalent mix of moderate and vigorous intensity aerobic activity and 2 or more days of muscle strengthening activities.
When older adults select activities that they enjoy, they are more likely to stick with them. Some key considerations are:
- Try to do a variety of activities. This can make physical activity more enjoyable and reduce the risk of injury.
- Regular physical activity is still safe and beneficial even if the person has problems doing normal daily activities such as climbing stairs or walking.
- If a person has to take a break from his/her regular workout routine due to an illness such as the flu, she/he should start again at a lower level and slowly work back up to the usual level.
- To strengthen muscles, older adults might try lifting weights, working with resistance bands, heavy gardening (digging and shoveling), or yoga.
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/physicialactivity/everyone/guidelines/olderadults.html.
Key Issues for Older Women
According to the National Women’s Health Information Center, Americans are living longer than ever before. |
Key issues for older women include:
- Health issues older women face include heart disease, cancer, stroke, and injuries from falls.
- Older women have higher disability rates than men of the same age. This is not because more women develop disabilities, but because women with disabilities survive longer than men. Taking good care of yourself can lower your chances of becoming disabled. That means staying active, healthy eating, controlling stress, and seeing your physician regularly.
- More women are in the workforce than ever before. Yet, women often spend less time in the workforce. This is because many have taken time off to raise children or care for loved ones. Also, women make less money than men. As a result, women tend to be at higher risk of poverty than men of the same age. Planning for your future can ensure you have what you need when you retire.
- Additional health disparities exist for older minority women. These women have many of the same health problems as older white women. Yet, they are often in poorer health and use fewer health services. They continue to suffer more from early death, disease, and disabilities. Many also face huge social and financial barriers to having life-long good health.