What to expect when you’re… aging!
Consider yourself warned! We talk about normal aging and how to minimize the impact of age on the body.
From head to toe:
Hair thinning - occurs in women as well as men. Additionally, patterns of hair growth change with age.
Vision changes - decreased visual acuity, cataracts, and reading glasses are common
Dental - false teeth, dentures. Oral hygiene becomes more difficult due to decreased dexterity of the hands.
Hearing - hearing loss. Treatment is important due to potential for decreased cognition, changes in relationships due to hearing loss.
General physical appearance - change in distribution and appearance of fat distribution, decreased muscle mass. Metabolism slows, making it more difficult to lose weight. More protein is required to maintain and build muscle.
Cognition - some changes in thinking are normal, such as forgetting why you entered a room, forgetting names of people you haven’t seen in a long time.
Bowels - constipation can be a problem for many, looser stools occurs occasionally. Activity level, diet, and water intake can contribute to this.
Menopause and hormonal changes in men - both genders experience this. Can affect mood, libido, sexuality. Vaginal atrophy and dryness are common in women. Erectile dysfunction is common in men. Intimacy may need to change to accommodate both partners.
Urinary symptoms - lower urinary tract symptoms are common in men; urgency, frequency, incontinence can occur in both genders. Bladder becomes less elastic with age. Spasm can also occur related to triggers such as caffeine, citrus, and other irritants. Symptoms can be reduced with physical therapy, medical treatment.
Arthritis - osteoarthritis occurs in routine aging. Affects many joints depending on use, injuries, etc. A trainer or physical therapist can help remain active.
Balance - affected by vision, nerves, medications.
“Use it or lose it” for most components of normal aging. Healthy diet, physical activity, and adequate sleep help slow the impact of aging. Find out from your friends what has worked for them! Sharing your experiences and successes can help others.
Health pearl - Healthy Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip, Pecan and Orange Cookies
Adapted by Addie from SmittenKitchen.com
Makes about 3 dozen cookies
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground clove
1 ½ cup quick-cooking oats
2 cups chopped pecans
2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips (NOT semisweet)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large cookie sheet with paper. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla, and beat until well mixed, about three minutes. Stir in eggs, one at a time. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove in a separate bowl. Add half of the flour mixture to the butter with the mixer on low speed. Once the flour has been incorporated, add the second half. Stir in the oats, pecans, orange zest, and chocolate chips. Drop approximately one tablespoon of dough onto the cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven and cool the cookies on a rack.