Changes of Aging

The Positives of Aging

• Creativity does not diminish with age.
• Stimulating living causes brain cells to grow more branches.
• We are sexually more relaxed.
• Our ability to cope increases and stress levels decrease.
• We take more responsibility for our health.
• We understand ourselves with better perspective.
• We are more confident and care less what other people think.
• We know better what it takes to satisfy ourselves.
• Our capacity to love increases, as does curiosity and altruism.
• Levels of anxiety diminish.
• Gratitude deepens.
• Sense of humor is heightened

Sociologic changes occur as we age, we lose family members and close friends .   This can lead to isolation, unless a conscious effort is made to increase social interaction. Being involved in social activities provides opportunities to develop new friendships and fight feelings of isolation. The more social interaction you have, the more chances you have to create new bonds of friendship.As we lose close contemporaries we have less opportunity to touch others. As babies thrive when cuddled and touched, so do adults. It is important to create new opportunities for physical touch. Go out of your way to practice shaking hands, or giving a pat on the back, make it okay for others to touch you. Grandchildren can provide opportunities for physical closeness. If you don't see them often create opportunities through surrogate grandparenting.

Physical Changes of aging are the easiest to recognize. Diseases that effect the elderly are not the same as changes which occur as part of the aging process. Some changes that are part of the aging process include decreased visual acuity, poor hearing, temperature sensitivity, and decreased sensitivity to taste. Metabolism also slows down as we age, resulting in the need to eat less and exercise more.  As we age, we may process drugs more slowly or be more susceptible to drug interactions and reactions. Each physician, or one physician needs to accept responsibility for reviewing the regime of drugs taken, and reviewing it against possible drug interactions.

Physiological Changes in Sedentary Adults include decreased aerobic capacity, decreased pulmonary function, reduced muscular strength, loss of muscle mass, decrease in number and size of muscle fibers, increased movement and reaction time, decreased bone mass, and increased body fat. Physically active people are able to reduce the course of the physiological effect of aging.

A Positive Attitude- New stimuli and a positive attitude are attributed to "successful" aging. (It's not enough to just tick off the birthdays.) Specifics to think about to achieve this are:

• Take risks in life.
• Respect your own opinion.
• Be flexible and adaptable.
• Take on new challenges and learn new things.
• Deal with pain and losses, but don't hold on to the suffering they bring.
• See the glass as half full.
• Take care of yourself with healthy eating and regular exercise.