With age, many people begin to either be careless about their health, or, conversely, pay excessive attention to it. If your elderly parents are among them, then we offer you simple tips how to help them lead healthy image life and observe moderation in taking medications.

Neglecting your health

Why do many older people begin to neglect their health, deny illnesses and avoid doctors? There may be several reasons:

• reluctance to acknowledge your age and the limitations it imposes;
• the habit of not paying attention to the signals of your body;
• subconscious fear of finding out your diagnosis and facing the need to go to the hospital;
• mistrust of doctors;
• the desire to consider oneself young and healthy for as long as possible;
• subconscious desire for illness (for example, it is “convenient” to have high blood pressure if it can be used to manipulate household members).

If your elderly relatives, for one reason or another, avoid the clinic, sit in front of the TV all day and eat unhealthy food, you need to take urgent action. Explain to your mom or dad why it is so important to you that she or he feels good and remains healthy and vigorous for many years to come. Find a doctor or clinic that the older person can trust. Convince him that old age is not a death sentence, and that a balanced diet, physical activity and supervision by a competent doctor will allow him to remain active for many years.

Where does the love for drugs come from?

Many retirees take the exact opposite approach. They line up to see doctors early in the morning, take handfuls of pills and never miss the opportunity to complain about a bunch of illnesses. And there are reasons for this behavior too:

• the desire to attract attention to oneself, to arouse pity;
• boredom and lack of communication (conversations in line and dialogues with the doctor become an outlet);
• fear of the future and the desire to undergo treatment “with reserve.”

In medicine, there is even a name for this behavior - hypochondria, that is, suspiciousness, searching for non-existent diagnoses, heightened perception of ordinary symptoms.

If your parents sometimes act like hypochondriacs, find out the reason and take action. If the culprit is boredom and narrow circle communication, find interest groups for them, involve them in household chores and raising grandchildren, send them on vacation more often, or even invite them to have a pet. Spend more time with them, have heart-to-heart conversations, even if you don’t really want to listen to a retelling of the next melodrama or advice on caring for violets. Take your parents with you to nature, to the cinema, to the theater - let them feel in the thick of life for as long as possible. And then the desire to entertain yourself by going to the doctor and taking medications will naturally disappear.

Motivation for a healthy lifestyle

Well-being at any age depends on three factors:

• objective health status (presence of chronic diseases, characteristics);
• nutrition;
• presence of bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
• physical activity.

Unfortunately, not all older people have acquired good habits V at a young age and therefore, by inertia, they continue to lead an unhealthy lifestyle. However, it is never too late to change your regime and menu, give up cigarettes and glasses, if there is sufficient motivation for this.

Unfortunately, for older people such motivation is not always found. “I don’t have enough left”, “It’s too late to change something” - this is what you can hear in response to a proposal to start a healthy lifestyle.

However, age is just a number, and this is confirmed by hundreds of elderly athletes, scientists, businessmen, volunteers, teachers who change our world for the better every day. Many people only in retirement find their dream job, meet a life partner, find harmony and the meaning of existence. But even if your mom and dad aren't planning great things in retirement, you can still convince them that staying healthy and active is important. Healthy pensioner:

• can help his children and grandchildren;
• can continue to work while maintaining income and making savings;
• will not become a burden for loved ones, because neglect of health sooner or later leads to illness;
• will remain active longer, will be able to do everything that interests him;
• will extend years of life.

So, the first thing you need to do is make sure that your elderly relative really understands the need to take care of their health and takes an active position in this matter. Otherwise, the sports equipment you bought will remain gathering dust in the corner, and your fitness subscription will lie unopened.

Old habits and ways to break them

When both you and your parents are ready to commit, you can begin making gradual lifestyle changes. First, find out what needs to be changed, and our simple tips will help you with this.

1. Assess your level of physical activity. Do your mom and dad exercise? How many steps do they walk a day? Do they attend physical education classes for pensioners, which are probably available at the nearest physical dispensary? Do they have exercise equipment at home: a treadmill, an exercise bike? A fitness bracelet will help you evaluate and further track your results. Buy this inexpensive gadget and sync it with your smartphone. This way you can find out how many steps your mom and dad have walked every day.
2. Rate the menu. Many older people are accustomed to saving on everything and do not allow themselves to buy products that they consider expensive. In addition, many healthy fruits and vegetables - Chinese cabbage, avocado, mango, pomelo - are unfamiliar to them, so they don’t buy them either. At the same time, pensioners willingly buy and eat the same sausage or “cheese product”, which, by the way, are not cheap, as usual!
3. Assess your health status and the amount of medications you are taking. Many people have been convinced for years that they suffer from a certain disease because some therapist once suggested this diagnosis. Conversely, some serious conditions go undetected. At this stage, find a good clinic and conduct a full examination of your dad or mom’s body. At the same time, find out what medications they are taking. Often, pensioners continue to take pills “just in case” after recovery has occurred. And this can drag on for years! Another common practice is to start taking medication on the advice of a neighbor or a random interlocutor in line to see a doctor. Manufacturers of dietary supplements are also making good money from pensioners, who persistently offer their products by phone or going door to door. Most likely, most of the pills that older people take out of habit can be stopped. Instead, you can start taking really healthy nutritional supplements prescribed by a competent doctor.

1. Buy fruits and vegetables, especially those that your parents haven't tried before. Teach them how to clean and cook them. Buy a supply of vegetables and fruits regularly. It is convenient to do this with the help of a delivery service - they now operate in all major cities. Give them a good food processor and vegetable peeler.
2. Buy fitness gadgets. These can be the already mentioned bracelets, as well as smart watches, pedometers, electronic scales, and home exercise equipment. Show parents how to use them.
3. If you have a problem with smoking or alcohol, solve it urgently. Allen Carr's book will help you with this. The easy way quit smoking" and groups that work on his program. To treat alcoholism, it is better to consult a specialist.
4. Go through your first aid kit, throw out expired medications, as well as anything unnecessary, so that you are not tempted to take a pill or two from scratch. Instead, purchase healthy nutritional supplements that your doctor recommends.
5. Involve parents in running, cycling or Nordic walking. It is better if you do this with the whole family: this will create additional motivation.
6. Sign up your parents for fitness and help them overcome embarrassment, if any. It is better if at least for the first time you train together. Choose moderate exercise: swimming, aerobics, simple yoga, as well as “Healthy Back” classes, which are offered in many fitness clubs. It would be even better to hire a personal trainer to work with your parents according to an individual program. Or you can become such a coach yourself.
7. Encourage parents to lead as much as possible active image life. Traveling, walking, volunteering at a local dog shelter, community service, creativity - all this will help you maintain motivation, improve your quality of life and leave no free time for TV, tea with sweets, sitting on a bench and other unhelpful things.

There is nothing more important and valuable than the life and health of mom and dad. However, when it comes down to it, it can sometimes be very difficult to break long-term habits of junk food and a sedentary lifestyle. Start small, be persistent, spend more time together, and you will see your elderly parents feel better. Believe me, they will surprise you with deeds and actions that not all young people can do!

From this article you will learn:

What age is considered elderly?

What lifestyle do retirees lead?

How to enrich your life in old age

What to do so that your health in old age does not let you down

What role does family play in the life of an elderly person?

Are the problems of older people being solved at the state level?

With age, a person begins to experience various deviations in his health and attitude. With retirement, loss of loved ones and illness, the lives of older people change, causing frequent stress, illness and depression. Therefore, it is so important to ensure that our loved ones do not feel emotional decline.

What features does the life of older people have?

A person becomes elderly when youth ends and life enters the season of autumn. At this moment, changes occur in everyone's body. As it turns out, gray hair, wrinkles or general malaise are not always a sign of aging. So how old does a person have to be to be called elderly?

Once upon a time, 20 years was already a decent age, and those who were lucky enough to pass this milestone were already considered respectable people. History shows us numerous examples of early marriages, when from the age of 12-13 young people got engaged and started a family. There were also times when a 20-year-old girl was considered an old woman, but today everything is different.

According to members of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the classification of human biological age has undergone changes. Statistics on the dynamics of people's lives, health and general condition of the body are monitored by the World Health Organization - WHO. According to her research, human age is divided into the following stages:

22-44 years old - youth;

44-60 years - average age;

60-75 years old - old age;

75-90 years old - old age.

All those who were able to overcome the upper bar are considered long-livers. As a rule, reaching 90, and even more so 100 years old, is not so easy. And there are many reasons for this - illness, ecology and other living conditions of older people.

According to sociological surveys conducted in many countries around the world, people do not want to grow old and are ready to admit that they are already approaching the end of their years, only after reaching 60-65 years. This, in all likelihood, gives rise to the introduction of bills to increase the retirement age.

Elderly people should take better care of their health. Moreover, at the age of 60+ it is not always easy to quickly adapt to a new situation due to a decrease in the speed of information perception. This mainly concerns scientific and technological progress, because it becomes difficult for most people to adapt to modern computer technologies. But we don’t even think that this can cause severe psychological trauma to many. They may feel incapable and unnecessary, which will complicate the overall situation as they overestimate their age.

How is quality of life measured in older people?

There are four criteria for quality of life:

Material security implies the necessary wealth, which is a means of satisfying human needs, as well as access to existing savings for use at an older age. This point plays an important role in the lives of older people.

Health status. Aging usually means a deterioration in well-being, which is a sign of problems in the body. Therefore, improving the quality of life of older people is primarily based on maintaining human biological functions.

Education and employment. This criterion consists of opportunities for social activities and leisure.

Good conditions. According to the UN data from 2013, the older population wants to have freedom of choice, to be independent and self-reliant. Therefore, improving the quality of life of older people is so important and relevant today.

The last point corresponds to the provisions of the Madrid Plan of Action on Aging (2002), according to which the elderly part of society needs:

Physical activity;

Health monitoring;

Improving the lives of older people.

What place does family occupy in the life of an elderly person?

Undoubtedly, family plays one of the main roles in the lives of middle-aged people. As a person ages, he loses mobility, and with retirement, all activities revolve around the farm and home. Poor health often limits interests, after which older people begin to seek support from relatives.

The deterioration of health and malaise of the elderly affect the general mental state, which leads to their dependence on other family members. The need for attention and help arises more often when people are sick. After all, in the circle of loved ones it seems safer and more reliable for them to go through all the difficulties.

Very often, housework becomes a distraction and contributes to humility and adaptation to one’s new situation, while caring for children and housekeeping completely distracts from gloomy thoughts. Indeed, in such a situation, people feel needed and useful, which allows them not to become depressed and to cope mentally with the awareness of their old age.

According to statistics, there are fewer older men than women of the same age. Consequently, the mortality of the former is earlier than that of the opposite sex. Such a disproportion was achieved in Russia thanks to the war, when the strength of the strong half was reduced in combat losses.

As a result, in our country the number of single women exceeds the number of men. However, after being widowed, representatives of the stronger sex are more likely to remarry. And, as a rule, they take a lady younger than themselves as a life partner. In this situation, it becomes increasingly difficult for women who have lost their spouse to find a second husband.

An important factor in late marriage is the moral side, because many people in old age want to have a faithful friend. Therefore, there is a need to develop public understanding regarding the formation of alliances between older people.

With the end of work and going on a long-awaited vacation, large quantity At the same time, people develop a feeling of isolation from society, which leads to depression and loneliness. Many pensioners, dissatisfied with their age, often quickly become physically decrepit, and mental disorders that arise against this background only worsen their situation. The environment surrounding them may also be different. Lonely elderly people find themselves in worse living conditions than those who live with family.

Unfortunately, suicides often occur against this background. Both men and women are predisposed to make this choice in the event of the death of a loved one, be it a spouse, child or close friend. According to statistics, 25% of suicides occur due to the loss of relatives.

At the age of 55-65 years a person becomes a pensioner or receives a demotion; long-term depression is also possible. All this affects the psychological state of the elderly person; a demobilization reaction occurs, when the future is presented only in a gloomy light, and the past, on the contrary, is idealized and presented as a better time.

At such moments, older people sometimes begin to voice passive expressions of a suicidal nature. Their loved ones should think about it, because this means that the relative urgently needs help. It is necessary to monitor them during this period and try to help them mentally cope with the difficulties that they have to endure. Therefore, it is so important to create favorable living conditions for older people, show them that they are still needed, and keep them busy with some chores around the house.

Between 65 and 75 years of age There are suicidal depressions. Being in confrontation with himself and with his family, trying to defend his rights, a person can write complaints or go to authorities, but unwillingness to help or inattention to his whims becomes the reason for voluntary death.

Age group over 75 years - the most difficult period in terms of psychological state. After all, these include old men or women, most of whom stop taking care of themselves and do not want to eat. Moreover, they constantly think about death and how to quietly leave for good, without becoming an unbearable burden to anyone.

Drawing a conclusion, we see that family is primarily important for the lives of older people. After all, it is its members that become a kind of barrier to suicide. Family relationships should be built so that everyone feels responsible for each other, including for the oldest person, his health and well-being. Care and assistance are the main aspects in improving the quality of life of older people. In such situations, it is impossible to do without consulting social workers.

The environment and place of residence (village or city) also play an important role in the attitude of pensioners.

Not so long ago, in rural areas there was a custom when relatives were kept a place in the house until the end of their days, because the common household fed more than one generation. Living with family ensured that the elderly and elderly were cared for and provided them with everything they needed to improve their quality of life.

But the situation has changed, and many children now, having started their own families, do not want to live with their parents. But for good and close relationships between relatives, a mutual desire to support and help is important.

And the most necessary factor - children. Most pensioners already have grown-up descendants. Family ties are maintained, as a rule, first in a straight line, and only then, if there are no children, then with other relatives. Living together or separately, but subject to constant contact with loved ones, plays a very important role in the lives of older people and determines how their relationships will develop. Moreover, in addition to financial assistance Old people want and need moral support and close emotional contact with children. After all, it is important for them to know that the connection with the child is not lost, and there is still love and mutual understanding between them. Assistance and support from children is an integral proof for them that their loved ones still need them. Good living conditions for older people consist of warm relationships between relatives, moral satisfaction and a healthy mental state of all family members.

Financial assistance is the most common from children. Parents also try not to remain in debt and run the household or look after their grandchildren, thereby helping the family. Some people choose to spend their pension on general needs, thereby supporting their loved ones.

If you look at the numbers, then, as a rule, people aged 65-69 help their children more than they receive support from them. But time passes, and from the age of 75 the situation may be reversed, because health is no longer the same, and the elderly so need to rely on loved ones. If we compare families who live with their parents or not far from them with those who live at a distance from their elders, then the difference in mutual support for the latter is several times smaller. According to statistics, 65% of older people who have a separate apartment believe that they receive no help from their children at all. However, among those who live with their descendants, only 10% of the rural population and 20% of the urban population express the same opinion.

If you look at the participation in the fate of old people from the outside medical workers and other health care workers, it is several times less than what children receive from their parents. If we take it across the country, only 1% of such people in Russia need home care by health care workers, while in Denmark, for example, 3% are men and 12% are women, and in the United Kingdom, 4% and 5% respectively.

These data show that in the world, custody of parents was relevant both before and now.

If we consider leisure time, then, perhaps, there is nothing more pleasant than spending time with your beloved grandchildren. They do not let their grandparents get bored and force them to do more work around the house, thereby wasting their time on pleasant pleasures. However, grandchildren do not always provide the opportunity to do something else useful. Thus, among middle-aged working men who live only with their wives, the number involved in public affairs is four times greater than those who also live with their grandchildren. Thus, those unburdened with descendants spend their leisure time doing physical exercise, sports, or walking in the fresh air. But, of course, children need contact with older people, because their relationships develop completely differently than with their parents. Grandparents look at life differently, and therefore the upbringing of young people takes place through the prism of experience and wisdom.

Spending time with younger family members and caring for them makes older people understand and realize that they are still useful and needed in this world. It’s not for nothing that many old people say that their grandchildren give them a second wind, a new purpose in life, a different meaning and interest.

Elderly people and their lifestyle

The aging of the body tells us that a person is phylogenetically constantly in motion, and not at rest. This happened naturally when people had to work or lead a physically active lifestyle to survive. After all, it depended on how fast and hardy a particular individual turned out to be, whether he would be well-fed, whether he would catch prey, whether he would be able to protect himself from an enemy or a wild animal, etc. And according to natural selection, the strongest survived, and the weaker died from starvation or themselves became prey to predators.

If you look at old people, then, as a rule, they can be divided into two main groups - those who are active, cheerful, optimistic and relatively young in appearance until old age, and those who, with age, become increasingly older externally and internally, all the time dissatisfied, gloomy and inactive. But scientists have come to the conclusion that every person had all these signs before, but as they get older they become more pronounced, which is why the lives of older people are so different.

Of course, as a person ages, he loses activity and develops a tendency toward passive behavior, as well as psychogenic stress. Of course, everything depends on the personal character and temperament of each person. Someone finds strength in themselves and overcomes these ailments, seeks new values ​​in life, sets new goals, and strives to implement plans. Others, on the contrary, withdraw into themselves; all these features of old age only put pressure on them. As a result, people become passive and indifferent to many things, refuse to use their strength to the fullest and acquire senile tendencies already in advance. This leads to the fact that the body simply gets used to living like this and gradually reduces its reserves and abilities. People begin to walk in a vicious circle when the limitation is motor activity first leads to mental passivity, which in turn interferes with the use of the body's adaptive capabilities. After this, the question arises: is this behavior a consequence of old age or is it still due to the lifestyle of older people?

No matter how paradoxical it may be, activity has practically no effect on the rate of aging, however physical state and the opportunities for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle are several times smaller compared to those who are energetic and move a lot. This is due to the fact that active people begin to age at the age of 25-30, so in terms of endurance, for example, at 60 years old, they are in better physical shape than those who are passive, and, accordingly, look 10-20 years younger .

If we consider the mechanism of the effect of muscle activity on the human body, it is quite complex. With intense movement, a person’s physical capabilities are maximized, which subsequently reduces the load on various systems when working within acceptable levels. Therefore, we can say that activity contributes to the appearance of changes in the body that are opposite to those that occur during the aging process.

Thanks to movement, maximum ventilation of the lungs increases, breathing improves and becomes more correct, shortness of breath disappears and blood volume increases, which leads to improved cardiac activity. The heart muscle no longer requires a lot of oxygen, and the increase in blood pressure is insignificant after minor physical exertion. The functions of the endocrine glands change, the body's endurance increases, muscles grow, which are able to more efficiently use oxygen during metabolism.

Therefore, we can conclude that improving the quality of life of older people directly depends on physical activity, because it is the most effective method in the fight against old age. Movement at an advanced age will delay the decline in working capacity, and will also prolong the capabilities of a person as a whole.

After all, in fact, old age approaches us in two ways - weakening the body and exhausting our psyche, reducing interest in life, etc.

In addition, scientists have discovered a psychophysical connection, proving that both of these factors are interconnected. Many gerontopsychologists believe that such passivity entails physical inertia, and, conversely, an emotionally stable state and good spirits support and prolong happy years, pushing back the autumn of life. We can say that each person chooses and develops his own way of aging. But for some it can be cheerful and prosperous, while for others it can be gloomy and pessimistic.

One of the main tasks of medical staff is not only the treatment and prevention of diseases, but also improving the quality of life of older people and providing support for psychological disorders. It is important to explain how to avoid helplessness, take care of your shape, and improve or reconsider family relationships. This is an increase in the quality of life of older people, when the combination of all factors plays a major role in their well-being.

How to maintain a healthy lifestyle for older people

While we are young, our health is also relatively good. However, as you age, your physical condition and well-being will not always be ideal. Various ailments become commonplace. How can older people stay alert without overdoing it?

Disease prevention is one of the main directions in modern medicine. It is based on a healthy lifestyle. First of all, it means giving up bad habits, a daily routine with the necessary rest, proper food, exercise and a positive mood.

If we consider nutrition, then it is necessary to follow some rules. You need to eat small portions three to five times a day. After all, if you want to be a long-liver, you should make sure that you don’t have overweight. You need to perfectly balance your diet so as not to overload your body and at the same time fully provide it with useful substances. It is also advisable to select the diet and menu according to the age and characteristics of the person. After 40 years, the consumption of beta-carotene is extremely necessary. It is found in full in fresh orange fruits and vegetables, as well as parsley. After 50 years, the skeletal system becomes fragile, which is why it is important to eat enough calcium. Products rich in this element include dairy products, especially cottage cheese and cheese, fish, and sesame seeds. Seafood helps prevent atherosclerosis and strengthens our heart. Foods containing selenium improve mood and help cope with stress. In general, to improve the standard of living of older people, a balanced diet consisting of fresh vegetables and fruits, fish and herbs is essential. The use of additional vitamin preparations will also be a good addition to the diet.

Why is movement so important, especially in old age? In fact, it not only improves the physical condition of the body, but also stimulates the release of necessary hormones that are lacking in an elderly person. Physical activity helps improve blood circulation, restore skeletal mass, preventing its loss and sometimes ensure its growth. Walking, for example, is an excellent prevention of posture-related diseases, and it also increases bone density in the spine and hips. It has been scientifically proven that proper physical activity, daily health-improving exercises (at least half an hour a day), including breathing exercises, walking, water procedures and a positive attitude prolong life, improving health and preventing premature aging.

With age, the need for good sleep increases, and in a cool room. A night's rest in a room at 17-18 degrees will prolong life and make you look fresher and younger, because age-related changes and metabolism also depend on the ambient temperature.

Of course, the standard of living of older people is influenced by both intellectual and creative activity. Constant thought processes prevent mental abilities from degrading, and also stimulate blood circulation and metabolism. If a man creative person, then life will be filled with pleasant moments. That’s why it’s so important to find something you love to do every day. It could be a hobby or just interesting activity. To improve the standard of living of older people, it is also necessary to choose a job they like, because this will have a positive effect on their emotions and mental state in general. The main thing is not to sit still, but to move and develop further, because new information and hobbies will not only be interesting, but also useful for the functioning of the brain.

What is the active life of older people?

Most people associate the ending labor activity with helplessness, illness, boring and monotonous life. It is not easy for an elderly person to come to terms with the fact that he will have to sit at home and his active work and social status will change to retirement. As a rule, the majority, if not experiencing depression, then at least feel changes and begin to worry about it. Nervousness in this situation will not lead to anything good, because it is the basis and root cause of all diseases. The life of older people begins to go in a vicious circle, when they do not want to accept a new form of existence, they are nervous because of this, thereby exacerbating their ill health and depressed psychological state, pushing old age. This may seem sad. But you don’t have to sit idly by, you need to start moving and developing further.

So, let's look at what activities any elderly person can do to entertain themselves.

Relax

This can be either walks with grandchildren or a spouse, or trips that are not stressful or tiring, for example, out of town or to the park. After all, it’s finally time to take a break from work, the endless bustle and worries and enjoy your well-deserved vacation. Like that old joke when a person is tired of serving and dreams of retiring, doing nothing, sitting in a rocking chair and enjoying himself. "And then what?" - they ask him. “And then I’ll start swinging!” he replies. The main thing in this matter is not to delay the second phase, but to rest a little and continue to live to the fullest.

Work

If they wish, older people can continue to work when it makes them happy. Especially if a person is one of those who are used to being in the center of the team all the time or simply working tirelessly. You shouldn’t suddenly quit your business if you can’t imagine life without daily worries of this kind. You can stay at your current job or choose a slightly different one, a little calmer, which will not be a burden and at the same time will be convenient and enjoyable. Someone will probably want to do something more active. Why not? After all, retirement will provide a chance to think about what you like and what you want to do. You don’t need to assume that you won’t fit into a new team or won’t be able to find another occupation because of your age. Your professional experience will do everything on its own, because you have spent so many years doing what you love, gaining new knowledge year after year. Believe me, another employer will definitely appreciate it. Don't look for a place for retirees, choose what you like, and everything will work out for you.

Make your dream come true

The life of older people may not be so boring, because now is the time to do what you love! Another interesting and important point about retirement is that many people often dream about something, but as always, there is not enough time and energy to realize these desires. Therefore, another way to dispel bad thoughts and enjoy life in retirement is to realize your ideas, be it gardening, knitting or renovating your apartment. The main thing is that it is a joy, and you will feel that life is getting better. Retirees need to look at themselves differently, find new friends, remember their passions, realize their dreams, and their days will be filled with light and meaning. A hobby or your favorite pastime can also become a source of income. You just need to think through everything and approach this matter with enthusiasm. Proper organization of leisure time will also improve the living conditions of older people, diversifying them and adding positive emotions.

Engage in your development

When we talk about development, we mean not only the needs of the body, but also the spiritual. Self-care - mental and physical - will help raise the standard of living of older people. You need to try to make new friends or establish closer connections with existing ones. In addition to getting outside, add something else to your life. Abroad, yoga, dancing or sports are very popular among retirees. This has finally come to Russia, and now it is not considered shameful for the middle-aged generation to diversify their lives and combine business with pleasure. After all, by visiting such places, older people not only benefit physically, but also emotionally.

Sometimes pensioners start earning extra money by tutoring teenagers. Thus, by communicating with young people, they gain positivity and at the same time spend their leisure time. The job can be different - from a coach of a football or basketball team to a craftswoman in clubs for schoolchildren.

Take care of your health

Of course, all of the above points should not in any way be detrimental to your health, because the life of older people should, first of all, be rational and balanced. But try not to jump above yourself and not to overdo it. You also need to monitor your ailments. As a rule, pensioners are suddenly bombarded with a number of illnesses, and often they do not want to deal with them. After all, just recently they were healthy, and now they don’t want to realize that various ailments have come flooding back. All this can happen due to the fact that you stopped keeping a strict schedule, started sleeping until lunch, eating as much as you want without a routine, and especially at night. The body suddenly begins to work differently, and as a result, various diseases appear that are easier to prevent than to treat later. Therefore, it is so important for older people to monitor their diet and ensure that their lives are balanced and full of quality time, and try to maintain some kind of order and lead an active lifestyle. You shouldn't sit in front of the TV all day or lie on the couch reading the newspaper. This, of course, can be part of your regime, but only a small one, and the rest of the time, do something useful. Vary your schedule with running, exercise, yoga or perhaps a swim in the pool, and you will see how good health and a cheerful mood will be the reward for all your efforts.

Be part of the whole

Well, one of the important criteria for the quality of life of older people is still good relationships with loved ones. After all, mutual assistance and goodwill among relatives are the basis of a healthy family. Believe me, when you retire, your children and grandchildren still need your support. You need to remember that you as a person have not gone anywhere, you have not become different, you just now have a lot of time to realize your plans and spend it on family and friends.

6 examples of how an active life for older people makes them happy

Unfortunately, many people think that retirement is the last stage of our existence, happy days are behind us, and only old age lies ahead. But look at it differently, because the life of older people can be varied and interesting, everything is in your hands! An elderly person is also capable of becoming prosperous, cheerful and bright, as a whole project proves to us, called “The Age of Happiness” by the famous photographer Vladimir Yakovlev. A series of images demonstrates how you can diversify the lives of older people. The heroes in the photographs have long been over 70, and some over 90 years old, but they all breathe energy and show us that we need to strive for the best, realizing our ideas and dreams.

Let's take a look at some striking pictures.

Robert Marchand- a cyclist full of energy and desire to win, who is already 102 years old. Does not look like it? But it is so!

Ruth Flowers- one of the oldest DJs, perhaps. But how does she do it! Taking up the hobby at age 68, the 72-year-old woman still enjoys her hobby.

Lloyd Kahn realized that his life should be connected with skateboarding when he was 65 years old. He has not given up his favorite hobby for 13 years!

Annette Larkins- vegetarian and raw foodist. Perhaps someone will say that she should not be in the photographs among these elderly people, because she looks no more than 40 years old. But no, she’s already 70!

A Yvonne Dowlen has a great time on the ice, having mastered figure skating. She is no less than 80 years old!

Paul Fegen- a multimillionaire in the past and a card magician in the present. 78 years old - it's time to do something interesting!

What is the program to improve the quality of life of older people in Russia?

Recently, our government developed a plan to improve the quality of life of older people. It was carried out from 2011 to 2013 and is currently ongoing.

Maintaining activity and health affects the improvement of the lives of older people, which leads to meeting the needs of each person, as well as strengthening the country's potential and the full development of generations.

These arguments and reflections became the basis for the development of a program to improve the situation of pensioners in the regions. A number of measures have been proposed that implement the goals and objectives of improving the quality of life of older people.

The main aspects to improve the condition of the elderly population in the country include:

Providing social services throughout all regions for elderly people in need. The program must cover at least 90% of retirees who require such services.

Creating the necessary conditions to improve the quality and life expectancy of older people, especially those living in boarding houses for the elderly.

An increase by 1.5-3 times in the number of representatives of the older generation in need of services from social services under the “ Adoptive family", "Patronage service" and others. This will lead to a reduction in queues at inpatient facilities.

Increase to 35-50% of pensioners who require technical means for rehabilitation and care (from the total percentage of people of the corresponding age who need these devices).

Removal and disposal of old equipment and buildings in stationary institutions up to 20% per year.

Creation across the country (per region) of three to five points of rental or sale of care products for the elderly and increasing the level of satisfaction of older citizens with them.

As well as other aspects of the socialization of the older generation.

All these points must be carried out strictly under the control of this program and lead to an improvement in the quality of life of older people. As the analysis showed, improving the situation of pensioners cannot be achieved only through the provision of additional payments, benefits and subsidies. In addition, it is necessary to diversify their social activities. These aspects include maintaining and improving health, social leisure, participation in community service, taking care of intellectual abilities and other aspects that are so necessary to maintain and improve the quality of life of older people.

There are different interpretations of the very concept of “old age”: in some sources, advice to the elderly is addressed to people over 70, while in others, 45 years is already considered the age of onset of age-related disorders. The most common option for the boundary between maturity and old age is the retirement age - about 60 years. According to the WHO classification, 60-74 years is old age, 75-90 years is senile age, over 90 years is longevity.

The generally accepted age division for health in developed countries is as follows: 21-25 years old accounts for the peak health of the average person; all systems of his body are formed and developed, the person is of reproductive age and is generally full of strength - both physical and mental.

The period from 25 to 45 years is a time of relative stability and maximum dependence of health on a healthy lifestyle. If a person does everything correctly, monitors his condition, eats properly, moves and does not abuse, and at the same time he is not affected by risk factors beyond his control (heredity, environment, accidents), then there is a high probability that everything will be fine with his health Wonderful.

After 45, the first health problems associated with age-related changes. The risk of such diseases is not yet too high, but is already noticeable; the person begins to feel a loss of strength. 55-65 years is the very limit beyond which a person is considered elderly and fully feels the effects of age in the form of a number of age-related disorders and typical diseases caused by the aging of the body.

A healthy lifestyle is a factor that is relevant for all ages. But if for people in their prime (from 25 to 45) and for mature people (45-55) it is often decisive, then for older people age still plays the “first fiddle”. It is this circumstance that makes many older people give up, let their health take its course, and believe that “old age will not spare anyone, no matter what you do.”

In reality, the health of an elderly person really depends greatly on age, but the influence of a healthy lifestyle is also great and accounts for at least 35-40% of success! And for some, a healthy lifestyle literally saves their lives. Plus, a small disclaimer is appropriate here: above we were talking about the so-called “average person,” but as far as health is concerned, this is only a general trend, and not a guarantee or a verdict. There are a lot of stories about how completely ordinary people over 60 went in for sports, conquered mountain peaks, suddenly started dancing, singing, drawing, etc.

Typical age-related diseases and disorders

This is what almost all older people have to face, regardless of lifestyle and other factors: Deteriorating vision. The likelihood of developing cataracts by the age of 65 increases to 50%; the second serious vision disease characteristic of old age is glaucoma. Farsightedness develops in almost all older people, and changes such as increased dryness of the eyes, deterioration in color recognition and peripheral vision are also observed.
Hearing loss. More than 33% of people over 65 have varying degrees of hearing loss, and after 75 the percentage of people with hearing problems increases to 50%. We are talking about both hearing loss (partial hearing loss) and complete deafness.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system.

The increase in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease after age 65 can be as high as 65%, but this is true only for those whose health is affected by other risk factors, including preventable ones ( bad habits, excess weight, lack of physical activity). If no other risk factors affect a person, the increase in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease does not exceed 4%.

Weight gain.

Age-related excess weight gain usually occurs between 45 and 65 years. There are several reasons for this: an increase in the percentage of fat against the background of a decrease in muscle mass in the body; decrease in physical activity; menopause with its hormonal fluctuations - in women.

Deterioration of kidney and liver function.

A decrease in the function of these organs leads to a deterioration in the removal of metabolites from the body.
Decreased production of gastric juice, hormones (sex, thyroid, etc.), proteins. All this leads to decreased functionality digestive system and other body systems.

Descent to zero sexual function.

At best, the attenuation of sexual function occurs gradually, but sometimes it can decrease in jerks, sharply, which can be a source of stress for a person.

Decreased bone density.

Over the years, due to the development of osteoporosis, bones become more fragile, which is fraught with the appearance of bone and joint diseases, fractures, the healing of which can be very slow and with great difficulty.
Problems with memory, attention and brain function. In a mild form, they can be expressed in the form of deterioration in brain function, difficulties with focusing and concentrating on one task, attention, and difficulties in learning something new. In severe forms, dementia may occur.

In addition, in old age there is a risk of developing purely age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, senile dementia, Huntington's chorea, and so on.

The above list of age-related diseases and disorders looks impressive, but in reality it can be much longer - if you are under the influence of additional risk factors. Among such factors there are both irremovable and removable ones. Nothing can be done about the irreparable: this is heredity, gender, the presence of systemic chronic diseases (for example, if you have diabetes, this disease is an irreparable risk factor for you, provoking a whole range of all kinds of disorders).

Avoidable risk factors are another matter entirely. These are factors that completely depend on you and your lifestyle, which means you can neutralize them or at least reduce the strength of their impact on you. This list includes all the components of a healthy lifestyle: proper nutrition, sufficient level of physical activity, absence of bad habits and stress, monitoring your health. The arithmetic here is simple: if you do not follow the commandments of a healthy lifestyle, then dozens more diseases (from hypertension to diabetes) will most likely be added to the list of inevitable age-related disorders; if you try to live according to the rules of a healthy lifestyle, the destructive effects of age will be as minimal as possible. You’ll hardly be able to boast of great health, but you’ll avoid a lot of fatal health problems – that’s for sure.

Measures to reduce health risks in old age

So what can you do to stay as healthy as possible after age 60? An integrated approach is needed here, and it will include the following components:

1. Health control. Be sure to monitor your health and do not wait for a significant deterioration in your health to go to the doctor. Are you having difficulty breathing? To the doctor. Does the pressure rise a little? To the doctor. Do your joints hurt a lot? To the doctor. Are there spots in the eyes and a blurry picture? Well, you get the idea. Early diagnosis makes it possible to easily cure or slow down the disease, reduce its destructive effect on the body.

2. Timely treatment. Few people like going to the doctors, and even fewer are happy about the upcoming operation or the course of troublesome (expensive, painful - underline as appropriate) treatment. But this is not a reason to delay treatment! Remember: 99% of all diseases are much easier to cure in the early stages. If you are prescribed treatment, if you need an operation or a series of some procedures, you should not rely on chance, on the fact that “it will go away on its own,” or on herbal poultices. Just do what you need to do.

3. Healthy lifestyle. As already mentioned, neutralizing avoidable risk factors will allow you to radically reduce the list of potential diseases. Here is a brief summary of “healthy commandments” that can be followed at any age: Maintain your weight at a normal level. If you have excess weight, carefully, slowly lose it; if not, keep it and maintain it. normal weight, try not to type.

Move more . Take a habit of walking, daily exercise, find a way to get yourself out of the house: walk the dog, moderately work in the garden, sign up for a fitness group for the elderly.
Don't smoke or drink alcohol. If you happen to drink, choose light alcoholic drinks(quality wine, etc.) and do not exceed the permissible dose (20 ml of ethanol for women, 30 ml of ethanol for men).
Don't overwork yourself. It is important to move enough, but even more important for you is not to strain yourself, not to “drive” yourself with work, or helping your family, or nerves.
Get enough sleep, avoid stress. If you feel tired, rest, do not interfere with your sleep, find a minute to rest. Don't try to live at the same pace you lived when you were 30 or 40.
Eat right. Do not overeat, avoid fatty, fried sweets, try to eat only natural and dietary foods.
Be careful. Avoid injuries that can lead to serious consequences, take into account decreased function of the senses, be careful on the road, during icy conditions, etc.

And one more thing: in old age, another health factor is extremely important - your mood, attitude, state of mind. Defeatist moods, depression, refusal to fight for your health can destroy you, but vigor, internal energy, the desire to live - on the contrary, make you stronger and healthier.

Remember: no one knows how many years he will live in the end; Don’t give up on yourself, invest strength in your health, live life to the fullest.

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You can live longer, or you can live better. Healthy aging will allow you to live better and longer.

It is important not only to live your years, but also to fill them with meaning: to remain active, independent and happy. The desire to travel, dance, date, learn, laugh and have fun never goes away as we get older. We want to stay energetic and active.

This article will introduce you to healthy aging habits. Research has shown that by adopting certain habits that affect your diet, sleep, exercise and preventive measures, you can significantly improve your quality of life as you age. In turn, this will also help you avoid chronic diseases and make your life healthier and happier.

Why healthy aging is so important

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, nearly one in four Americans suffer from chronic diseases such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and respiratory diseases.

All these diseases prevent a person from being independent and coping with daily work on his own. Moreover, illnesses damage not only your health, but also your budget since you need to spend money on hospitals, nurses and medicines.

The good news is that you can reduce the likelihood of you developing a certain disease. The following steps will make your body stronger and your mind clearer.

The Basics of Healthy Aging

Nutrition

Correct and healthy eating is extremely important for your health, especially as you get older. From the age of 60, your body begins to change rapidly. Proper nutrition will provide your body with the energy and nutrients it needs. The effectiveness of these tips has been scientifically proven. By following them you can choose proper diet to stay healthy throughout your life.

Drink plenty of fluids

As we age, we drink less and less fluid because we lose the feeling of thirst.

To get into the habit of drinking more fluids, drink with meals, drink a glass of water when you take pills, and before and after exercise, especially on hot days.

Choose drinks that are low in sugar, sodium and fat. You're doing great water will do, skim milk, 100% juices (orange, cranberry, apple) and low-fat soups.

What to eat

Make sure you include foods rich in nutrients and vitamins in your diet every day.

Your diet should include:
● protein (chicken, pork, lean meat, seafood, eggs, legumes)
● fruits and vegetables
● whole grains (oatmeal, wild rice)
● low-fat dairy products (milk, cheese)

Also, be sure to include foods containing vitamin D and fiber in your diet, and try to avoid foods containing high amounts of fat and salt.

Correct Portions

Nutritionists recommend that people 50 and older eat foods in the following amounts daily:
● fruit – 1 ½ – 2 ½ cups
● vegetables – 2 – 3 ½ cups
● cereals – 150 – 280 g
● dairy products – 3 glasses of skim milk
● oil – 5 – 8 teaspoons
● a minimum of products containing sugar and salt

This list will give you a rough idea of ​​how much you should eat daily.

The National Institutes of Health suggests measuring your portions as follows:

– a portion of cooked vegetables, salad, boiled potatoes – the size of a baseball
– 5 grams of cheese – a portion the size of 4 dice
– 100 grams of meat or poultry – palm-sized portion

Read the labels

It's best to eat freshly prepared food, but if you buy packaged foods, always pay attention to the label. Avoid foods high in sugar, salt and fat:

● Sugar: Try not to consume more than 6-9 teaspoons of sugar per day (25-36 grams)
● Salt: People over 50 should limit to 1.5 mg per day
● Fat: Eat 18-25 grams of saturated fat, which should not account for more than 10% of your daily calories.

Dream

According to the US National Sleep Foundation, people aged 50-65 should sleep 7-9 hours a night, and people over 65 should sleep 7-8 hours.
However, many people in adulthood suffer from insomnia and lack of sleep.
This is often caused by diseases such as obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis, acid reflux, congestive heart failure and depression. In some cases, restless legs syndrome can make getting adequate sleep impossible. The good news is that by treating the condition itself, you will significantly improve your sleep quality.

Lack of sleep negatively affects physical and mental health. A lot of studies have been conducted that have proven that lack of sleep causes memory impairment, various diseases and shortens life. Here is a list of the most common consequences:
● obesity
● diabetes
● heart disease and hypertension
● mood disorders
● decreased immunity
● low life expectancy

1. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and other stimulants that can affect your sleep.
2. Don't eat heavily before bed.
3. Don't drink too much fluid before bed to avoid going to the toilet at night.
4. Refrain from taking a nap in the evening if you didn’t have time to do so during the day. If you want to take a nap, do it before 3 pm. Otherwise, your sleep pattern will be disrupted: you will fall asleep later and not get enough sleep.
5. Try to exercise in the morning rather than in the evening. This will help you sleep better, while late night workouts will interfere with your sleep.
6. Try to stick to a clear sleep schedule. Going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day will help you get into a rhythm. Waking up at the same time is even more important, because this way you will train your body to fall asleep more easily in the evenings.
7. Don't check your watch or phone first thing you wake up. If you find it difficult to hold on, move them away from the bed.
8. Create a sleep-friendly environment in your bedroom. Let it be dark, quiet and cool there. Buy a comfortable mattress, pillow, blanket, bed sheets, blackout curtains, sleep mask, earplugs or white noise machine if necessary.
9. Create your evening routine and stick to it: take a bath before bed, drink a cup of herbal tea, read a book before bed and try to avoid watching TV, phone or tablet at least 30 minutes before bed.

Sport

It's no secret that sport in combination with proper nutrition– this is the ideal combination for your health.
Sport helps people stay active in adulthood and prevent various diseases. Moreover, older adults who exercise have better decision-making ability, as well as better planning and critical thinking skills than their inactive peers. Sports also help prevent cognitive decline, memory loss and dementia.

You don’t need to exhaust yourself with training to feel all the positive effects of sports on yourself. A recent study conducted by scientists at Harvard University suggests the following exercise schedule for older people:
● Minimum 2.5 hours of walking or aerobic exercise per week
● Strength training 2-3 times a week, but never 2 days in a row
● Stretching exercises every day

Daily Habits

Trends about what is beneficial and what is harmful are changing very rapidly. Today wine may be considered healthy, but tomorrow it won’t be. Yesterday everyone said that eggs were harmful, but today they are already considered a super food.

I have compiled a list of 5 habits that are considered healthy around the world.
● Move. The more you move, the better. Walk, swim, play tennis - it doesn’t matter what it is. The main thing is to try to do something every day and not sit still. Research shows that active people have a 7-fold increased chance of aging healthy.
● Do things that make you smile more often. People who smile often live longer and are healthier and happier than those who smile rarely. A deliberately forced smile will not add several years to your life, but activities that give you real and sincere joy definitely can.
● Turn off the TV. 1 hour of watching TV reduces life expectancy by 22 minutes. If you spend 6 hours watching TV every day, you will live 5 years less, according to a study conducted at the University of Queensland. Instead of watching TV, spend time with friends, cook, garden, read a book, go for a walk or draw.
● Spend time with family and friends. Strong connections with family, friends and co-workers make you healthier and live longer, according to research from Brigham Young University. Moreover, according to another study conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a wide social circle is as important for maintaining health as exercise and proper nutrition.
● Meditate. Meditation has gained widespread popularity recently. Even researchers from Harvard University talk about the benefits of meditation for people mature age. Just 15 minutes of meditation a day will improve your health and mood, and help relieve stress, pain and depression.

Prevention

When it comes to your health, it's always better to be one step ahead. If you carefully monitor the condition of your car and regularly take it for maintenance, why not start treating your health the same way?

For older people, it is extremely important to regularly visit doctors, get vaccinated and get MRIs to detect health problems at the first appearance and prevent them.

Here is a list of preventive measures recommended by the US Department of Health (please consult your doctor first):
● One-time x-ray to check for abdominal aortic aneurysm for men of a certain age who have ever smoked
● Taking aspirin to prevent heart disease for men and women of certain ages (check with your doctor)
● Pressure measurement
● Mammography every 2 years for women 55-74 years old
● Cholesterol test
● Diabetes test (type 2) for people with high blood pressure
● Consultation with a nutritionist
● Hepatitis C testing for people at risk, as well as a one-time test for those born between 1945 and 1965
● HIV testing for everyone aged 15-65 years
● Vaccinations from:
– Hepatitis A
– Hepatitis B
– Shingles
– Human papillomavirus
– Flu
– Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
– Meningitis
– Pneumococcal infection
– Tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough
– Chickenpox
● Lung X-ray for people aged 55-80 who smoke or have smoked actively in the past 15 years
● Tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea
● Test for syphilis

Social relationships (and sex)

Socializing helps older people stay physically and mentally healthy, and helps them live longer.

The US National Institute on Aging conducted a study that proved the following:
● strong social relationships are directly related to good biomarkers;
● social well-being helps reduce inflammatory processes in the body, which in turn can cause diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, arthritis and cardiovascular diseases;
● social isolation significantly increases the risk of disease and also increases the mortality rate;
● loneliness contributes to high blood pressure;
● loneliness increases the risk of depression.

Support a good relationship with family, friends and colleagues. If you're feeling isolated, try volunteering, joining a fitness class, playing cards, meeting friends for coffee, or cooking dinner for your family.

But if you want to add a little spice to your life and improve your health, have more sex! This is what the doctor ordered and here's why:
● Sex improves sleep quality. Orgasms release the hormone oxytocin and also reduce levels of the hormone cortisol, which in turn helps you relieve stress and anxious feelings.
● Sex makes you look younger. According to a study conducted by the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland, older couples who have sex at least 3 times a week look up to 7 years younger than their peers.
● Sex makes you happier. Everyone knows that happiness is vital to overall health and well-being. According to one study, couples who had sex once a week were 44% happier than those who had not had sex in the past year.

Additional Help

Since in some cases, older people cannot independently perform daily work (bath, cook, dress, go to the toilet, clean the house, drive a car, etc.), they have an urgent need for a solution that will allow them to live safe and remain independent as much as possible.
It's important to start planning and sharing your preferences with family members before you need outside help.

The US National Institute on Aging offers the following options:

● Medical and social assistance at home. These services are usually provided in the home and may include physical, occupational and speech therapy.
● Nurse services. The services of a nurse include helping the patient with the daily work that he himself is no longer able to cope with.
● Friendly visits. Such services are provided by private agencies or by volunteers who periodically visit elderly people who are sick or live alone.
● Transport services. These services help older people get to the hospital for doctor's appointments, to the store for shopping, etc. This makes their life much easier, since many people have reduced mobility as they age.
● Emergency call systems. This option is especially suitable for those who live alone. With the help of an emergency call system, a person will be able to press a button on a device attached to the arm or neck if they suddenly feel unwell.
● Elderly care centers. Such centers are open during the day and offer their visitors a variety of activities, communication and food.
● Residential and assisted living centers. Such centers offer single and double rooms, care, food and medication, as well as 24-hour assistance. However, such centers lack medical services.
● Residential complexes for retirees. Such complexes are suitable for those who need daily assistance with going to the toilet, dressing, washing and preparing food. In such complexes they also often organize various events so that their residents can communicate.
● Nursing homes. In nursing homes, patients are provided with nursing care, treatment, 24-hour assistance, physical therapy, and feeding.

Healthy aging starts with yourself

Sure, some people are lucky with their heredity. You yourself have the power to increase your chances of a healthy and happy old age.

By following the advice in this article, you can adopt habits related to your diet, sleep patterns, exercise routine, and preventative measures that will help you live not only longer, but also better.

From this article you will learn:

What are the characteristics of older people?

What are the health indicators for older people?

What can affect the mental health of older people

What is the social and physiological health of older people?

Is it possible to restore the health of older people?

As people age, they increasingly realize that the most important thing in life is health. When illnesses creep closer and closer, people begin to think about health more and more often. How to feel your best despite your advancing years? How to stabilize your psychological state and not lose heart? Follow a certain algorithm and you will feel much better.

Features of the health of older people

Exists many criteria that affect the health of older people. Firstly, hereditary predisposition to certain diseases or, on the contrary, their immunity. Secondly, a person is significantly influenced by the Lifestyle, which he led during his life, in what conditions he lived.

The reserves of the human body are much greater than the average mortality threshold. And at the same time, a reasonable attitude towards old age, psychological comfort and careful care for the elderly truly work wonders, reviving them to life.

Due to the slowdown in recovery and metabolism processes in old age, the following occurs:

the gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, organs of vision, hearing, etc. suffer;

immune status drops sharply;

the person becomes forgetful, thought processes slow down, relatives note changes in character.

If an elderly person falls ill, you need to be extremely careful, because there is a high probability of rapid complications. And this will entail a long recovery period.

What are the health indicators for older people?

From a socio-psychological point of view, there are 5 types of human adaptation:

Structural installation. The most favorable adaptation option for an elderly person is when he calmly perceives his situation and is friendly towards his neighbors. He understands his position as a given, as a certain stage of his life, summing up, death does not scare him, and the person maintains enthusiasm and an optimistic attitude. Feels a sense of trust in loved ones.

Installing dependency. Such people are comfortable only in the usual family circle, they take a passive side, are dependent on others, do not finish what they start, and cause self-pity.

Protective installation. Excessive external activity is a characteristic feature of people of this type. It serves as a kind of protection for them against internal doubts and fears, including the fear of death. Such people know their worth and are completely immersed in professional activity.

Installation of hostility. Older people of this type are characterized by increased grouchiness. It is very difficult to please them; such old people are constantly dissatisfied with something. They have a short temper, with a hint of rage and anger. They perceive the world in a “black light” and are negative towards themselves and their weaknesses. Envy of their lost youth haunts them at every step, they are afraid of death.

An attitude of hostility, but directed towards oneself. This category easily falls into deep depression, and the reason may simply be a lack of sympathy from loved ones. They do not resist their old age and face the trials of fate inactively, arousing pity for themselves. With death, in their opinion, relief will come, and suffering will remain in the past.

Only the life position of the person himself can influence the general condition of the body and its worldview.

What can affect the mental health of older people

Mental health in older people depends on:

social status;

psychological state;

biological features.

The psyche of elderly people is significantly influenced by their limited ability to move freely, constant pain, and dependence on outsiders caring for them.

Additional blows include the death of loved ones and a sharp change in socio-economic status during the transition to retirement or disability. All this is accompanied by a feeling of loneliness, a feeling of dependence on the immediate environment, isolation from the outside world.

Mental and physical health closely interconnected and influence each other. Elderly people suffering from somatic diseases are more susceptible depressive states. At the same time, if you do not remove a person from this state, the disease will begin to progress sharply.

Inappropriate addresses to the older generation of people are quite common today. And this seriously undermines their psychosomatic state. It can even lead to consequences such as depression and dementia.

Therefore, try to pay attention to your elderly as often as possible. Your caring attitude can instill in them a spirit of confidence in the future as well as a positive outlook for the future.

Dementia- a syndrome accompanied by severe depression of the central nervous system. Mental functions weaken, memory decreases, a person’s behavior changes, he is no longer able to fulfill his daily needs. Basically, this pathology occurs in older people.

According to statistical studies around the world 47.5 million people suffer from dementia. In the near future, experts estimate that the total number of people with dementia will rise to 75.6 million by 2030 and 135.5 million by 2050. Geographically, residents in low- and middle-income countries are more susceptible to dementia.

Within state support people with this pathology need to be remembered and those who care for older people with dementia. Since this is serious work that requires a special approach, emotional endurance and resistance to stressful situations.

Economic problems arise from financial investments in providing medical care, social and factual.

Depression is a severe manifestation of psychological disorders in older people. Unipolar depression affects 7% of all elderly people, of which 5.7% of total disability among people over 60 years of age. Unfortunately, depression is not always diagnosed on time, and currently it receives insufficient attention from medicine due to the fact that it is usually accompanied by other pathological conditions of the body.

What affects the social health of older people

With age the elderly person’s social circle is significantly narrowed, and his social activity drops sharply. This happens due to:

Firstly, older people, finishing their professional activities, sharply narrow their circle of contacts. Only a small proportion of older people maintain contact with their work colleagues. And these are those self-sufficient people who know their worth and want to maintain as much independence in life as possible.

Secondly, over time, friends, colleagues and associates of older people pass away. There is also a process of old people moving in with relatives, and communication at the proper level is no longer possible. Elderly people increasingly isolated from society as a whole. Elderly people begin to urgently need to communicate with their relatives. The most interesting thing is that many older people do not want to remember old age, and therefore avoid contact with peers. Especially with those who like to complain about their illnesses and infirmities. This category of old people chooses a circle of the younger generation for communication. Along the way, they often discover a disrespectful attitude towards the elderly, their uselessness and lack of demand by society.

Happening emotional shifts in elderly people amid isolation from society. They are often haunted by a decline in vitality, a negative attitude, and uncertainty about the future. Elderly people are haunted by the thought of death, and the death of their friends and acquaintances is only once again serves as a clear reminder of this. It is not possible to make up for the loss of a relationship with this person. In Asian cultures, such as China or Japan, older people hold the title of patriarchs, elders, and thanks to this they participate longer in society.

Third, an elderly man gives preference for solitude rather than active communication. Since he is tired of stupid conversations, they seem empty to him, he independently protects himself from such conversations. Therefore, the circle of communication of an elderly person becomes very narrow. It can only include the closest relatives, acquaintances and a few friends.

Fourth, old age cannot but worry the elderly. The social circle of older people is influenced by many factors. Typically people over 60 years of age start complaining about their health and age, while still looking quite strong. One of the key points is marital relations. After all, the death of the closest and loved one inexorably leaves deep wounds in the psyche of an elderly person. And it often happens that this person gives up housekeeping. He becomes dependent on his family and friends, his character and emotional background changes.

What is the physical health of older people?

The aging process occurs throughout life. Each person is in the hands of his own health. The physical condition of his body in old age depends on how healthy a person led a lifestyle in his youth. All bad habits, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, poor and unbalanced nutrition, physical inactivity, lead to premature aging body, and in extreme cases, to death.

Against such a detrimental background, a person develops many chronic diseases. Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic upper respiratory diseases and mental health conditions account for approximately 77% of all conditions and 86% of deaths in the European Region. The situation in socially disadvantaged sections of society is aggravated.

We must remember that It's never too late to think about a healthy lifestyle and eliminate the most bad habits. This will significantly reduce the possibility of premature death (up to 50%) and improve the overall quality of life. According to research, older people who regularly engage in feasible activities physical exercise, suffer much less from somatic diseases. Such pathological conditions most often lead to early mortality: coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer.

People who take an active lifestyle and pay attention to their physical body have an optimal level of cardiorespiratory and muscular conditions, correct weight and body structure. And the structure of biomarkers becomes favorable for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and strengthening of bone tissue.

Generally, a healthy lifestyle can eliminate or, at least, delay the development of type 2 diabetes.

Health problems faced by older people every second person

Balance disorders

Most older people have movement coordination disorders and problems associated with dizziness ( vertigo). At the first symptoms of these pathological conditions, you should immediately seek help from professionals. Injuries due to a fall can be a complication of incoordination. According to statistics, every year more than a third of older people over the age of 65 lose their balance and fall.

Memory problems

The causes of this condition in older people may be a lack of water in the body, poor nutrition, sleep problems, as well as other diseases, for example, Alzheimer's disease. However, such a process in an elderly body is not a normal option. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help in time.

Malnutrition

Necessarily into the diet elderly man should include the optimal amount of fiber contained in raw vegetables, fruits, and grains. This helps prevent congestion in the intestines, improving peristalsis. Also, an elderly person should drink enough fluid, since salivation decreases with age. To maintain normal life functions, an elderly person must follow the principles of proper, nutritious and balanced nutrition.

Lack of exercise

Exercise is essential elderly people. They are a means of preventing many age-related health problems. Physical education also has a beneficial effect on a person’s psychology; he or she develops a life-affirming outlook on the world and a cheerful state of mind, has a positive effect on brain function, and increases the body’s endurance.

Sleep problems

In older people sleep patterns are disrupted for several reasons. There may be frequent urination at night, which interrupts a person's sleep.

This phenomenon greatly undermines proper sleep. Due to this experts recommend the following:

sleep in a well-ventilated, dark, quiet environment;

adhere to a certain sleep and wakefulness schedule; if you are tired, you should rest a little, listen to yourself;

do not watch television programs at least an hour before bedtime;

If an elderly person is overexcited, you should calm him down, help him take a bath, or play a soothing melody.

All this contributes to the absent-mindedness of an elderly person, which can be aggravated by decreased vision. That's why Get checked regularly by an ophthalmologist. This especially needs to be done if symptoms such as blurring of nearby objects appear. Visit your eye doctor at least once every six months. In order not to complicate the life of your elderly, it is advisable not to rearrange the furniture in the room where the elderly person spends most of his time. Also make sure it is well lit. In this case, the elderly person will easily move around in a familiar environment.

Hearing impairment

Elderly people have a hard time suffering from diseases of the hearing aid. They become hot-tempered and irritable because they feel helpless. A hearing aid is of great help in this matter. Buy it for your elderly relative and do not forget to check it in good condition in a timely manner. When communicating with such a person, always speak clearly, slowly and in low tones. Give the elderly person the opportunity to visually observe your face, as they often read information from the lips and facial expressions of the speaker.

Loss of smell

To replenish your olfactory functions, use enough spices while cooking. For safety purposes, install smoke detectors and a stove with an interlock system in your home. This will shut off the gas supply to the burner. After all, an elderly person with a weak sense of smell may not smell gas.

Changes in tactile sensations and loss of fine motor skills

Nice hugs are able to give an elderly person a feeling of need, love and your care for him. To make him feel more confident, purchase dishes with comfortable handles. After all, in old age it is more difficult to do some delicate work, and they can injure themselves inadvertently.

Health promotion for older people. Recipes for longevity

For the full functioning of an elderly person, there are a number of health promotion measures. This includes morning contrast shower, And daily walks outside, preferably in park areas, and regular exercise.

Always remember that your body requires a complete, balanced and varied diet. If necessary, you can include dietary supplements based on herbs in your diet.

Here are some examples of natural healing recipes:

Infusion of rye stalks and chickweed herb will give your body a charge of vivacity and give strength. Pour two tablespoons of herbal mixture into one liter of boiling water. Infuse the herbs for forty minutes and then strain. It is enough to drink half a liter of this infusion per day to obtain the desired effect.

Decoction of sunflower roots. Take one glass of roots, having previously crushed them, and fill it with three liters of water. Bring the resulting mixture to a boil, and then strain. This decoction is drunk for two days. The used roots can be reused to prepare this decoction by boiling for 5 minutes. The third and last time you need to boil for 15 minutes.

You should drink this decoction for no more than two months, and the break is six months. For best result It is recommended to avoid spicy, sour and fatty foods from consuming the decoction.

Bran play a very important role in the diet of an elderly person. It is enough to take one tablespoon of bran and pour it with water (500 ml). Boil for 35 minutes, stirring the mixture regularly. Add a few tablespoons of honey to the prepared product. Use ready-made bran four times a day, 50 grams.

Oat drink- a wonderful remedy with general strengthening properties. Rinse the oats in cool water and add five glasses of water. Next, you need to put the mixture on low heat and boil until half the original volume of liquid has evaporated. Strain the oat broth. You can add a little milk and boil again.

Sea kale- Very useful product, rich in trace elements, minerals and iodine. In addition to its qualities that have a beneficial effect on the general condition of the body, seaweed has excellent cleansing properties. It will help get rid of waste and toxins in your body. Some time after consumption, you can already feel a surge of vitality, positive emotions and energy in your body. It is served to the table both dry and canned.

Horsetail is also a powerful detoxifier. It is consumed mainly as a tea drink. It is brewed according to the traditional method, like simple tea, after cutting and drying horsetail. Add honey to the finished drink to taste and enjoy the tea ceremony.

Birch buds Since ancient times, young leaves and sap of this tree have been used as a strong cleansing agent for the body, which removes toxins from the body and has a general strengthening property.

Tincture based on May nettle(300 g of raw material per 0.5 liter of vodka) tones all body systems. First, keep the tincture for one day on the window, then for eight days in a dark place. The dishes must be sealed. Next, the tincture is filtered and squeezed. Take it as a medicine, one teaspoon in the morning or at night.

mistletoe normalizes metabolic processes in the body. Preparation: pour one tablespoon of dry mistletoe with boiling water (0.5 liters) and leave in a water bath for twenty minutes.

Hawthorn fruit decoction(0.5 kg) and chokeberry(0.3 kg) is able to strengthen the myocardium. To prepare the decoction, the fruits are ground, and a small amount of water must be added to the resulting mass. Place on low heat and heat to 40° C. Next, squeeze out the juice from the mixture, in which one tablespoon of golden mustache is stirred. Recommended for use in medicinal purposes three times a day, one tablespoon.

Keep your mind young

Therefore, by learning something new, reading educational literature, receiving up-to-date information, painting wonderful pictures, thinking about interesting topics, you not only improve your intellectual abilities, but also keep your body strong and healthy.

Think positively

Conscious behavior and thoughts can work wonders. Do not focus your attention on negative phenomena in your life, but on the contrary, think positively. This way you attract more happy moments into your life. A positive attitude in life will help you cope with the ailments of old age and feel in harmony with the world around you.

Contact your doctor promptly

At the first signs of diseases characteristic of old age, immediately contact a medical facility. And they will help you cope with the disease in the early stages of development.

Control your illnesses

If you keep the entire process of treatment under control, success will certainly come from them. The main thing is, do not make your own adjustments, do not cancel what you think are unnecessary medications. Take them exactly on schedule. Always keep your blood pressure levels under control. The outcome of the disease depends only on your trust in the doctor, the prescribed course of treatment and constant monitoring on your part.

Keep a daily routine

In a dream, a person restores his physical and mental strength. Therefore, the rest regime should not be violated under any circumstances.

Take your vitamins

Currently, the market has a wide range of dietary supplements based on herbs, as well as vitamin complexes created specifically for older people, which allow them to replenish missing microelements and vitamins.