Staying Active in Old Age

Growing older shouldn’t mean growing inactive – even in old age it is very important to remain as active as physically possible. No matter what your age or current state of health, exercising is a necessary and important part of healthy aging and as long as you are not at a high risk for injury, most types of exercise will still be suitable for seniors, especially those who are younger and/or have been physically active for most of their lives. Even seniors with physical impairments can keep active in order to remain healthy and happy.

Being inactive can cause elders to lose ground in four areas that are fundamental for staying healthy and independent: strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance. Different exercises can help elderly citizens maintain and even restore a degree of functionality in these four key areas.

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Healthy aging: Eight ways to keep your mind sharp as you age

At 63, I am constantly looking for ways for keeping my mind sharp.  It is a vital topic to me since I spend a lot of time teaching and writing. Here are eight tips that have served me well.

1. Keep on learning
My main role model for keeping intellectually fit – apart from Dr. Fred Horowitz, my business partner – is my friend Sigy, 88 years young.  Whenever I speak to him, he tells me about his latest acquisition from The Teaching Company, a storehouse of great university-level courses available to download.  Sigy is constantly challenging himself with something new.

2. Take a multivitamin supplement
One of my favorite health-related websites is Mercola.com. Dr. Mercola recommends that older people take a multivitamin daily to promote optimal health and a strong immune system. It helps maintain and boost good health and wellness. On the other hand, Live Science.com reports that so-called “brain pills,” such as ginkgo biloba and melatonin, offer no beneficial effect.  In fact, they might have negative side effects such as high blood pressure and digestion problems.

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