The term senior citizen often conjures images of pinochle, shuffleboard, the urban expression blue hair, rocking chairs, early bird specials, ill-health, and dependence. Coined in 1938, the term senior citizen is an old-fashioned word for an obsolete stereotype. Expressions like geezer, coot, and curmudgeon just don’t describe today’s typical old person. 50-year-olds are graduating from college. 60-year-olds are hang gliding computer whizzes. 70-year-olds are marathoners. 80-year-olds are beginning fitness routines and regularly having sex. And people who have suffered heart failure are dancing their way back to good health. Aging gracefully isn’t what it used to be.
Today nutritionists, teeth whiteners, chemical peels, Botox injections, exfoliations, medical tests, hair treatments, sunscreens with UVB and UVA protection, conditioners, creams, and antioxidants are all at your disposal to look and feel good. Yet, healthy aging is marked by a fit body and mind, strong connections to family and friends, health care, and planning ahead for retirement and health problems.
Older adults are at a higher risk than any other age group for mental and behavioral health problems and the number of those afflicted is expected to reach 15 million by 2030. Depression and anxiety are particularly prevalent among older Americans who suffer from dementia, cancer, strokes, arthritis, and heart disease. If left untreated, mental illnesses can severely decrease your ability to function and cope with other physical health concerns.
Aging is a normal part of life. Celebrate good health by:
• Being positive
• Taking control of your health
• Working with your doctor
• Watching what you eat
• Enjoying an active lifestyle
• Socializing
• Taking advantage of preventive services
• Exercising the brain (e.g. piano lessons, language classes, and crossword puzzles)
• Reducing stress
• Quitting smoking
• Focusing on emotional wellbeing
Dr. Hinrichsen recommends the following resources on aging:
Adult Children and Their Aging Parents
You and Your Aging Parent: A family guide to emotional, social, health, and financial problems
by B. Silverstone and H.K. Hyman
Adapting to Later Life
Where to go from here: Discovering your own life’s wisdom in the second half of your life
by J.E. Birren and L. Feldman
The New Love and Sex After 60
by R.N. Butler and M.I. Lewis
The Complete Eldercare Planner, Revised and Updated Edition: Where to Start, Which Questions to Ask, and How to Find Help
by Joy Loverde
When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple
by Sandra Martz
Coping with Pain
The Chronic Pain Control Workbook: A Setp-By-Step Guide for Coping with and Overcoming Pain
by Ellen Mohr Catalano and Kimeron N. Hardin, PhD
Managing Pain Before It Manages You, Third Edition
by Margaret A. Caudill, MD, PhD, MPH
PAIN MANAGEMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS: A Self-help Guide
by Thomas Hadjistavropoulos
Depression
Living Longer Depression Free: A Family Guide to Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Depression in Later Life
by Mark D. Miller and Charles F. Reynolds III, MD
Driving and Older Adults
The Driving Dilemma: The Complete Resource Guide for Older Drivers and Their Families
by Elizabeth Dugan
Elder Abuse and Neglect
Ending Elder Abuse: A Family Guide
by Diane S. Sandell and Lois Hudson
Falls in Older Adults
How to Avoid Falling: A Guide for Active Aging and Independence
by Eric Fredrikson
Grief
Getting to the Other Side of Grief: Overcoming the Loss of a Spouse
by Robert C. De Vries
Legal Issues and Older Adults
American Bar Association Legal Guide for Americans Over 50: Everything about the Law and Medicare and Medicaid, Retirement Rights, and Long-Term Choices for Yourself and Your Parents
by American Bar Association
You and Your Aging Parents: The American Bar Association Guide to Legal, Financial, and Health Care Issues
by American Bar Association
Managing Challenges of Providing Care to Older Relatives
The Fearless Caregiver: How to Get the Best Care for Your Loved One and Still Have a Life of Your Own
by Gary Barg
The Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide for Caregivers
by Maria M. Meyer
How to Care for Aging Parents
by Virginia Morris and
Memory Impairment
The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People with Alzheimer Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss in Later Life, 4th Edition
by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins
When a Family Member Has Dementia: Steps to Becoming a Resilient Caregiver
by Susan M. McCurry
A Personal Guide to Living with Progressive Memory Loss
by Prudence Twigg and Sandy Burgener
Successfully Coping with Health Problems
Taking Charge of Your Health: A Guide to Getting the Best Health Care as You Age
by John R. Burton and William J. Hall
Coping with Vision Loss: Maximizing What You Can See and Do
by Bill Chapman
Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions: Self Management of Heart Disease, Arthritis, Diabetes, Asthma, Bronchitis, Emphysema and others (Third Edition)
by Kate Lorig, Halsted Holman, MD, David Sobel, MD, and Diana Laurent, MPH
A Quiet World: Living with Hearing Loss
by Professor David G. Myers
Sleep Problems
National Institute on Aging (2009) Age Page: Good Night’s Sleep
National Institutes of Health (2009). Senior Health: Sleep and Aging
The Insomnia Workbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting the Sleep You Need
by Stephanie Silberman
Substance Dependence/Abuse
Aging and Addiction: Helping Older Adults Overcome Alcohol or Medication Dependence
by Carol Colleran and Debra Jay
Keywords: aging, older adults, good health, improving your life, psychologist, help
Online Resources
Aging: What to Expect As You Get Older
Mayo Clinic
Is This Normal Aging or Not?
Web MD
