Five Steps to Healthy Aging

We don’t just live longer these days. We live better. Healthy habits make the difference.

1. Educate yourself. Make good health a priority.
   • Learn all you can about general wellness and your own personal health concerns. Know what screenings you need – and get them!
   • Stay up-to-date on health research.
   • Learn about local hospitals and their resources before you need them. Make sure you know the best emergency rooms to go to for heart attack or stroke.
   • Classes at the Center for Healthy Aging or through Vitality Plus can help.
2. Get expert care and support when you need it. You and your doctor are partners. That means you need to do your part.
   • Be sure to ask questions and make sure you understand what you’re supposed to do. Follow your doctor’s advice. If you can’t or don’t want to, ask your doctor if there is an alternative.
   • If your doctor says to come back in three months, make an appointment now so it won’t slip your mind.
   • And when you need specialized care, do your homework. Seek out specialists that you feel are up-to-date on the latest treatments.
3. Stay independent.
   • Do as much for yourself as you can.
   • Even if you need help with meals, housekeeping or medication, you have many options that allow you to stay in control of your life and feel good about yourself. That’s a key to positive aging.
4. Keep yourself strong.
• Older adults who exercise regularly can outperform sedentary people half their age.
• They also reduce their risk of heart disease, obesity and many other problems.
• To keep yourself in top condition, you should:
• Eat a healthy diet
• Reduce stress
• Quit smoking
• Avoid too much alcohol
• Challenge your mind by learning new skills
5. Stay connected. Studies show that strong family, social and community ties reduce stress, prevent depression and help keep you mentally sharp.
   • About a third of people over age 65 stay connected through a paying job.
   • Another third volunteer in the community
   • Nearly everyone enjoys a hobby that connects them with like-minded people.

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