Older adults are not what any of us imagined when we were growing up. The grandparents of the new millennium are living longer. They are more active and more interested in being social than their grandparents were. 50 million Americans are 65 and older and they are more racially and economically diverse than ever. Many are living more healthy lives but 1 in 5 need some level of personal care after age 85.
Who are the seniors and how are they doing
Think back to grade school, there were more girls than boys in your classes. That trend continues throughout all of life’s cycles. Senior women outnumber men 2 to 1 in most senior living communities. Most of these women enjoy financial security. This group manages their money well. The so- called fastest aging states in the country are Alaska, Colorado and Arizona. The state with the oldest Americans is Florida, with about 20 percent of the residents 65 and older.
Food for thought for seniors
Seniors should eat to maintain a high quality of life and many do. As we age, doctors recommended that we eat foods that keep our heart, bones and mind strong. What foods are those? Studies show people who eat foods high in vitamin A are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Omega-3 fatty acids help keep hearts healthy and slow brain cell loss. Seniors in the know are aware of the fact that they don’t have to give up their sweet tooth to be healthy. A little dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, which can help protect the body from a variety of illnesses.
To be or not to be active
Ask any senior who has lived to be 100 years old how they did it and they answer is activity. We all know the importance of leading an active life. How much activity is enough and how much is too much? Some can’t miss a day in the gym or on the track running. Others enjoy an invigorating game of chess or bridge. The key to activity for seniors is increased socialization. Keeping active will promote healthy senior living and raise the quality of care that aging seniors need to stay engaged and happy.