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Maintaining Physical and Cognitive Health in Late Adulthood
Growing older may bring serious health concerns such as chronic diseases and depreciation in cognitive functions for the seniors. Being aware of the possible physical and cognitive health problems is essential in taking steps towards ensuring good health (Buckinx et al. 19). Weight gain is a pertinent issue since most of the chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer are associated with obesity. Besides, other physical health concerns for the elderly include weak bones, arthritis, and flu. The seniors face serious cognitive changes which include structural changes such as loss of neurons, and cognitive decline as well as functional changes like the loss of working memory (Harada, Marissa and Kristen 737). The cognitive changes, as well as physical changes such as wrinkling of the skin and loss of physical strength, are some of the significant indicators of aging. However, there are various strategies people can employ to help them maintain a good physical and cognitive health from middle adulthood. The strategies include maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and consistent medical checkup. Aging comes with physical and cognitive health issues which are manageable with a proper strategy.
The prominent health concerns as people age include weight gain, weak bones, and prevalence of chronic diseases. The loss of body muscles makes it challenging to keep the pounds in check. Besides, they engage in less physical activities and hence burn fewer calories. Consequently, seniors are bound to gain weight. Weight gain exposes older adults to other physical health concerns such as chronic diseases. Obesity is closely associated with heart disease and is regarded as the highest cause of death for people aged above 65 years (Buckinx et al. 19). Other chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure often occur in overweight patients. Other significant health concerns include flu which is as a result of the weakening of the body’s immune system. Also, fragile bones are of more substantial interest since older people are prone to falls. Moreover, 1 out of 60 senior adults dies of depression related illnesses (Buckinx et al. 19).
As individuals age, they undergo significant structural and functional cognitive changes which affect their cognitive abilities. The structural changes include alterations in the structure of neurons (Murman 2). However, depression and other aging conditions speed up neuronal dysfunction, cognitive decline, and neuronal loss. On the other hand, the functional changes include low performance in cognitive tasks that involve processing or transforming information to make a decision quickly. These changes include reduced processing speed and a decline in the working memory, as well as executive cognitive functions. According to Murman (3), aging also causes declines in perceptual speed, decreased numeric ability and losses in verbal memory.
The onset of chronic health problems and changes in cognitive abilities are some of the significant indicators of aging. The most common physical sign of aging is the loss of body muscles which causes wrinkling and sagging of the skin. However, obese individuals do not wrinkle. Moreover, a dull skin tone, dry skin and balding are other indications of aging. On the other hand, the most common cognitive indicators of aging include slower inductive reasoning as well as slower problem-solving abilities. Diminished spatial orientation is also another sign that an individual has entered the old age (Murman 3). Most of the seniors experience a decline in perceptual speed as well as their numeric ability. Dementia or loss of verbal memory is also another indicator of aging triggered by age-related diseases.
Engaging in specific dietary and exercise strategies can help people maintain physical and cognitive health from middle adulthood all through their final years of life. Adopting a healthy lifestyle may include physical activity, mental stimulation, avoiding excessive exposure to neurotoxins, treating depression and managing stress, and controlling common medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea. Maintain regular physical exercise results in fitness, and good body posture increases blood circulation. Besides, many professions in the health sector recommend good eating habits. Moreover, having a sufficient sleep enhances an individual’s productivity and cognitive abilities. Harada, Marissa, and Kristen (740) note that having a 7-9 hours rest during the night is a good practice that allows the body to rest especially the brain which becomes very active when individuals get enough rest. Lastly, reading and playing brain-stimulating games such as chess is an activity that enhances cognitive abilities among individuals. While reading and playing crucial games such as solving puzzles, the mind becomes remarkably active which improves the ability to think, learn and remember details.
In summary, aging causes significant changes in the body which affect the individual’s physical and cognitive health. The primary health concerns for individuals in the middle to late adulthood include weight gain, chronic diseases, and fragile bones. Besides, the seniors undergo significant structural and functional cognitive changes such as the decline in perceptual and numeric abilities. The significant indicators of aging include wrinkled skin and slower rates of inductive reasoning. Individuals can maintain good physical and cognitive health by adopting healthy lifestyles such as exercising regularly and taking balanced diets. Therefore, awareness of the health concerns associated with aging is essential in determining the most beneficial strategy to adapt to maintain a healthy body state at one’s old age.
Works Cited
Buckinx, Fanny, et al. “Burden of frailty in the elderly population: perspectives for a public health challenge.” Archives of Public Health 73.1 (2015): 19. https://archpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13690-015-0068-x
Harada, Caroline N., Marissa C. Natelson Love, and Kristen L. Triebel. “Normal cognitive aging.” Clinics in geriatric medicine29.4 (2013): 737-752. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4015335/
Murman, Daniel L. “The impact of age on cognition.” Seminars in hearing. Vol. 36. No. 03. Thieme Medical Publishers (2015): 1-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4906299/