Attitudes about health among seniors.

We all know it's not as easy health-wise, as we get older. Even the fittest among us struggle with problems that may never have troubled our bodies during younger times. Many seniors become frustrated with this and feel that they are in a perpetual state of "poor health." In 1999, the American Medical Association reported that 26.1% of all seniors assessed their heath as fair or poor (compared to 9.2% for all adults). We will explore some of the specific changes the human body goes through--including physical, metabolic and psychological--in the next chapter of this series.

Limitations on activities because of chronic conditions increase with age. Among those 6574 years old, 28.8 percent report a limitation caused by a chronic condition. In contrast, over half (50.6%) of those 75 years and over reported they were limited by chronic conditions. More than half of the senior population (54.5%) reports having at least one disability of some type (physical or nonphysical). Over a third (37.7%) report at least one severe disability. Over 4.5 million (14.2%) have difficulty in carrying out activities of daily living ("ADL's"). This is in sharp contrast to the much lower levels in the 25-64 populations of ADL difficulties (2.8%). ADLs include bathing, dressing, eating, and getting around the house. IADLs include preparing meals, shopping, managing money, using the telephone, doing housework, and taking medication.

The percentages with disabilities increase sharply with age. Disability takes a much heavier toll on those over 80. Almost three-fourths (73.6%) of those aged 80 and above report at least one disability. Over half (57.6%) of those aged 80+ had one or more severe disabilities and 34.9% of the 80+ population reported needing assistance as a result of disability. It is interesting to note that disability, while having among effect on attitudes about health, don't always mean that a person feels he or she is in poor health. Even among seniors with a severe disability, 32% report their health as "good."

Positively Gettinq Older

We hear much about the negatives of aging--the pull of gravity and wearing down of systems. What are the positives?

* Creativity learned early, 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

With age, sociologic changes occur between aging individuals and family and friends due to the loss of peers and contemporaries--a spouse, siblings, other relatives, old friends and neighbors. This can lead to isolation unless a concerted effort is made to stay socially active. Getting out and being involved presents opportunities to meet new people. New friends may never replace the lost closeness shared with someone who knew you before your hair turned grey, or before your first child was born. But the support network that comes with sharing life with peers can counter loneliness and goes a long way toward dispelling feelings of isolation. The more people you interact with daily, the more chance there is to form new bonds. The more people there will he to bond, with in years to come.

If we lose close contemporaries we have less opportunity to touch others. As babies thrive when cuddled and touched, so do adults. Opportunities to hug and he hugged diminish with losses. It's important to create new ones. A handshake, or pat on the back helps. Go out of your way to practice these, making 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

Physical changes of aging are the easiest to recognize. Diseases that effect the elderly are not the same thing as changes which occur as part of the aging process. Below is a list of aspects of our physiology which alter as we age:

* Vision

* Hearing

* Temperature Sensitivity

* Touch

* Taste

If you are not yet a senior but want to better understand some of the changes that accompany aging, there are some "sensitivity" exercises you can practice to help you better empathize with your elders. For example:

* Look through a pair of glasses sprayed with hairspray.

* Put un-popped popcorn kernels in your shoes.

* Wear a blindfold and a nose-clip and try to tell the difference between a barbecue potato chip and a plain one.

* Turn the pages of a book wearing cloth gardening gloves.

* Look through the wrong end of binoculars and try to follow a right turn line on the ground.

Metabolic Slowdown with Age

The slowdown and changes in metabolism that occur with age can result in more than needing to eat less and exercise more to keep the pounds from piling on.

As we age we may process drugs more slowly, or become more prone to drug reactions and interactions, than the younger population.

Add to this the fact that many of the elderly are seen by a variety of specialists, each who prescribe drugs that treat their field of expertise. But some of these drugs interact with other drugs. Each physician, or one physician needs to accept responsibility for reviewing the regime of drugs taken, and reviewing it against possible drug/drug interactions.

Physiological Changes in Sedentary Adults:

* Aerobic capacity decreases 10% per decade.

* Pulmonary function decreases.

* Maximal cardiac output decreases.

* Muscular strength is reduced.

* Substantial loss of muscle mass.

* Number of muscle fibers decrease 10% per decade.

* Size of muscle fibers decrease.

* Movement time and reaction time decrease.

* Bone mass decreases.

* Body fat increases.

* Physically active people are able to reduce the course of the physiological effect of aging.

A Positive Attitude

As mentioned earlier in this article, there are few medicines as helpful to seniors as a positive perspective on life and everything that comes with it. 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 half full glass.

* Take care of yourself with healthy eating and regular exercise.

* Don't accept societies myths as true about you.

Looking at the positive side of aging and enjoying the "restful years" can make for dramatic quality of life improvements.

Amanda Bunn is a registered nurse and freelance writer.