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Get By with a Little Help from Our Friends

by sfpadmin on July 10, 2016
The Beatles

The Beatles

Who can forget those wonderful Beatles’ lyrics, “I get by with a little help from my friends?” Pretty magical, but who among us imagined those lyrics as advice on how to live life as we age?

We need this advice more than ever. Americans today are living longer than ever before. Once we make it to 65, data suggests we can live another two decades. As we age, the incidence of chronic diseases and other health issues increase, too. Here are a few of the biggest health threats:

  • Arthritis is the #1 condition folks age 65 and older have to contend with. Pain and joint stiffness can impact one’s overall quality of life.
  • Heart disease affects 37% or men and 28% of women.
  • Diabetes affects 24% of men and 15% of women and can lead to life-threatening conditions if undiagnosed and untreated.
  • Alzheimer’s disease affects 11% of those over age 65.
  • Cancer is another major threat, but thankfully many types of cancer like breast, prostate, skin, and colon cancer are treatable if caught early through screenings.

Back to more good news: Despite these health threats more than 40% of people over 65 say their health is very good or excellent. What’s their secret? Most have taken control of their health through positive lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising on a regular basis, quitting smoking, controlling stress, and losing weight. Additionally, as noted earlier, healthy seniors make a habit of visiting their family doctor with a focus on prevention and/or controlling chronic illnesses like diabetes.

Back to the Beatles’ advice…We can get by with a little help from your friends. And that means not being afraid to ask for help. As we age, we’re not always able to do the things we once did around the house or yard. Poor eyesight or other issues may limit our ability to drive a car, go grocery shopping and get to doctor’s appointments. Arthritis or loss of strength may keep us from certain housekeeping tasks. There’s noting wrong with asking family or friends to lend a hand. There are also in-home caregivers like Indianapolis-based At Home Preferred who can take care of many of these tasks for us, our partners, or an aging relative.

Relieving oneself or a loved one of some of the tasks of life can do a world of good for health and happiness!