Empowering Americans to Live Stronger, Longer!

National Public Health Week Suggests that Older Americans Prevent, Protect, and Plan

Are you as healthy as you would like to be? Too often, older Americans don’t take the steps necessary to be healthy in their later life. This year, the American Public Health Association recommends older adults take three steps to improving their health and extending and fully enjoying their life:

• prevent,
• protect, and
• plan.

1: PREVENT Health Problems From Occurring

Preventing a number of health problems is possible simply by keeping up to date on immunizations and taking any prescription medicines. Each year, older Americans die of the flu or pneumonia. But these deaths are preventable by receiving a flu shot or a pneumonia vaccine. Preventing accidents in the home is another way to add more healthy and lively years to your life. Each year, over thirty-three percent of older adults receive injuries from falls. These incidents can mean reduced mobility and less independence. Older Americans can also increase their number of happy and healthy years by simply adopting a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity, a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco products are examples of the best ways to prevent health problems from happening.

• Check out the new dietary guidelines for healthy eating: http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines/ (Off Site)

• Get active! Need a new place to walk? Click here to diagnose how safe walking in your neighborhood is: http://www.walkinginfo.org/walkingchecklist.htm (Off site)

• Learn about planning safe living spaces:
  "Design Living Spaces"
  

2: PROTECT Your Health Through Early Detection

Many chronic diseases can be treated if they are detected early. But early detection requires screenings, and one-third of older Americans do not receive all the recommended screenings. Medicare covers many screening procedures. Use National Public Health Week as an excuse to get screened!

• To learn more about Medicare’s preventative benefits: http://www.aoa.gov/press/medicare/preventive/facts.pdf

• Find out the recommended screenings for yourself or a parent: (Off Site)
  

3: PLAN to Stay Healthy

Even if you or someone you love has a chronic health condition, their life can be long and healthy by managing that condition. The American Public Health Association recommends creating an action plan for minimizing identified health risks, such as beginning to exercise or taking prescription drugs. If you’re an American over age 65, use this week to assess your current health status, identify health risks, and create a plan for maintaining your optimum health.

• To conduct your own personal health assessment at home, go to: www.livingto100.com (Off Site)

• Log on to www.nphw.org to find a public health department near you that will offer a free health assessment during NPHW. (Off Site)