Ten Major Factors That Affect Aging
Doctors Ben Epstein and Brian Nadolne share tips for avoiding common aging pitfalls.
Why do some people reach their 80s in overall good health while others age differently? The AJT spoke to two experts, Dr. Ben Epstein of Piedmont Physicians, who specializes in geriatrics, and to Dr. Brian Nadolne, of East Cobb Family Medicine at Northside Family Medical Center. Both professionals spoke about the factors affecting aging and what you can do about it.
Natural accumulation of years:
At a certain age, Epstein said, “chronic diseases accumulate as you age, so the mere fact of living to be 70, 80, 90 or older — for the majority of people at that age, most will be dealing with more health issues than when they were younger; for some, certain body organs do wear down.” However, “just because you get older, it doesn’t mean you have to get sicker. Jack LaLanne was a very good example of this. Take care of your body and it will take care of you,” said Nadolne.
Inherited genes and DNA:
“Know your family history and be engaged,” Nadolne said. “If your father has heart disease, this is important to know. Do not wait until middle age. Start early. Be pro-active.” This means speaking to your family doctor. If your father had a heart attack early in his life, Nadolne says you should be exercising regularly and making healthy eating choices. And your family doctor may want to bring in a cardiologist early on if your labs demonstrate a similar pathway as your first-degree relative.
The bottom line? “Do not wait for a problem. You can improve your outcome by knowing your risk factors and act to improve your lifestyle before that first cardiac event,” he said.
Overcoming grief:
Nadolne has found that living alone, overcoming grief of a spouse or partner who had died “affects the mental and emotional health at any age, but especially for those considered to be seniors, over 65 or 70.” Making changes, deciding where to live — whether to move to an assisted living facility or age in place, with help — can often lessen the grief. Factor in the importance of family support, grandchildren or good friends, pets, belonging to groups like synagogues, the MJCCA and clubs, which all help.
Nutrition:
Good dietary habits are critical to longevity. However, “that does not mean that the secret to a long life is a good diet!” Nadolne said. There are many factors involved. Making good nutritional choices on a daily basis will only improve your odds, says Nadolne. For instance, instead of eating fried or sugary foods, try salads, fruits and protein shakes, which may help prevent the onset of diabetes.
Substance Addiction:
Smoking is one addiction that can speed up the onset of heart disease and cancer. Another common addiction is alcohol. “Over-imbibing alcohol is never a good choice,” says Nadolne. “But alcohol in moderation, especially red wine that has resveratrol in it, has been shown to be healthy.”
Brain function:
Memory loss occurs normally with age. But, when it becomes more than a name-recall issue, start with your family physician, who is your first line of defense. If the doctor notices a problem, you can decide together if seeing a neurologist is necessary at that time.
Imagination:
Engaging in conversation, reading on a regular basis, making crafts, art, music, puzzles, playing cards and other games, attending film showings followed by discussions — all of these can enhance mental function in one’s older years.
Exercise:
A licensed physical therapist once said that “motion is lotion.” Admitting it may sound clichéd, Epstein said that, in addition to eating well, “staying active is still important at any age.” Even adding a walk to one’s daily or weekly routine can make a difference in one’s overall health. For seniors 70 and over, practicing yoga or meditation, hiking trails, riding bicycles, lifting weights, playing pickleball or golf are all great ways to pursue the benefits of exercising the body and the mind at the same time.
Diagnostic Tests and Treatment Options:
To help prevent disease progression, Nadolne emphasizes the importance of following up with your family physician regularly for preventative health, cancer screening and mental health screening. And be educated about the warning signs of heart disease.
Epstein says he gives patients a geriatric assessment during physicals, which aims “to focus on how well an older adult is functioning in life, rather than testing each organ system and chronic disease,” he said. “One’s goals in life are not to have a better blood pressure or cholesterol or blood sugar number.” Rather, he asks older patients, “Is your goal to reach a personal or family milestone, or to engage in preferred enjoyable activities?” After reviewing their answers, Epstein tries to explain to patients whether a particular medical recommendation will help them reach their stated goals or not.
He pointed out how many “management recommendations for specific health problems are based on testing things for just one or two problems.” Since many older adults have multiple chronic conditions, recommendations must be individualized. But, after a diagnosis, Epstein points out that “older adults might want to ask about the evidence for treatment recommendations, since many studies are of persons 40, 50 and 60 years old, showing that treatment can help them live to 80.”
Good luck:
“Life and death happen,” said Nadolne. But he tries to remind patients that leading a good, productive life, surrounded by loved ones, is not to be taken for granted at any age. That loving network can include family, a beloved pet, kind neighbors and friends. By becoming more aware of the factors that affect the aging process and being proactive in making better lifestyle choices, the “fountain of youth” can keep flowing.
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