Category: Health

Top Exercise Tips for Women Over 55

July 16, 2024

This article published by JohnsHopkinsMedicine.org, offers sound advice to older women who want to get and remain physically fit as they age. It covers what types of exercises are suitable, types of exercise related injuries and how to prevent them, pain management, and finding your way.

“Staying active is a big factor in healthy aging for women. Regular exercise can help lower the risk of chronic disease, prevent falls and ward off the weight gain and loss of bone and muscle mass associated with menopause”.

The article was written by Alexis Coslick, a sports medicine and rehab expert at Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center.

Read the entire article here.

Preventing Pickleball Injuries for Seniors

July 16, 2024

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Growing interest in the sports has led to a significant increase in sports related injuries among people 65 and older.

“The popularity of pickleball has exploded in the last few years, and according to a recent report, so have injuries attributed to the relatively new sport.

Dr. Sanj Kakar, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hand and wrist disorders, says there are two main injuries he sees due to pickleball. He offers three ways to prevent them”.

The two main injuries are a broken wrist, and tendinitis due to overuse.

Read the entire article, Pickleball Injuries and Prevention, and watch the video from the April 25, 2024 issue of MayoClinic.org.

Impact of Loneliness on Memory in Older Adults

July 15, 2024

In a recent study published in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, researchers from Canada investigated the individual and combined effects of social isolation and loneliness on memory in middle-aged and older adults over six years.

In conclusion, the study suggests that the combined experience of both social isolation and lonliness results in the most severe memory impairment, with lonliness having a stronger effect than social isolation, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

Read the entire July 15, 2024 article from News-Medical.net

Why Cutting Ultra-Processed Foods Can Help You Live Longer

July 13, 2024

If you want to age better, and live longer, cut out the ultra-processed junk food from your diet, and replace it with whole food.

“July 8, 2024 Forbes.com – A National Cancer Institute study, that analyzed the data of over 540,000 older adults found that those who relied on a diet with higher amounts of ultra-processed foods were around 10% more likely to die earlier than those who consumed a balanced diet”.

“Ultra-processed foods refer to industrial formulations that are manufactured from food-derived substances and contain additives and preservatives to increase their shelf life”.

Read the entire article here.

Orthopedic Injuries in Aging Population: Alarming Statistics

July 12, 2024

The following information was presented in the 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. New data revealed that sports injuries in seniors have increased significantly from 55,684 in 2012 to 93,221 in 2021 in the United States with significant differences in the types of activities and injuries.

The study, “Orthopedic Sports Injuries in an Aging Population: Currents Trends and Future Projections,” also projected a 123% increase in sports-related orthopedic injuries in those ages 65 and older from 2021 to 2040 while the number of orthopedic surgeons is only projected to increase by 7.9% during that same timeframe.

Read the entire article published by PR Newswire in February 2024.

Gratitude May Help Older Adults Live Longer

July 12, 2024

July 3, 2024 -” Experiencing gratitude may help older adults live longer, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study was published July 3 in JAMA Psychiatry”.

“Prior research has shown an association between gratitude and lower risk of mental distress and greater emotional and social wellbeing. However, its association with physical health is less understood,” said lead author Ying Chen, research scientist in the Department of Epidemiology. “Our study provides the first empirical evidence on this topic, suggesting that experiencing grateful affect may increase longevity among older adults.”

Read the entire article here.