What Most People Fear

About Their Aging Bodies:

New Series Shows How You Can

Alleviate Common `Problems'

A

SolutionS:

designed to strengthen the pelvic floor;

ging is something everyone

and other techniques such as bladder

· Get writing: Write things down to

around the world must face.

retraining, a behavioral technique that involves

reinforce memory.

Each year time ticks by and

scheduling bathroom visits and gradually

· Make associations: Put medications

changes take place - some good, some

increasing the time between urination.

next to breakfast cereals so you

less desirable.

remember to take them.

Certain common fears arise over and

3. lack of mobility:

over in studies conducted about the fear

· Challenge yourself: Do puzzles or

"I don't want to end up a couch potato

of aging. But thanks to simple steps most

other challenging games to help boost

because my legs just don't want to work as

people can take, quality of life doesn't

brainpower.

well as they used to," says Barbara, 72.

have to be compromised just because

· Pay full attention to tasks at hand:

One of the biggest fears seniors have is

there are a few extra candles on your

Supposed memory loss may really be

a lack of independence. This can stem from

birthday cake.

the result of being distracted.

reduced mobility, whether trouble walking or

2. urinary incontinence:

a decision to give up driving. While certain

Common Fears Assuaged

"I fear that the incontinence issues I'm

impairments to motor function may be a

1. Memory loss:

beginning to have will get worse and

result of illness or injury, in general, a healthy

"I'm afraid that one day I will wake

that soon my quality of life and

senior may be his or her own worst enemy

up and have little memory of the

freedom will be greatly compromised,"

when it comes to mobility issues. That's

people around me or won't be able

says Bill, 57.

because regular exercise and a balanced diet

to remember what I watched on TV

is essential to maintaining proper fitness.

Roughly 33 million Americans have

a few hours earlier," says Susan, 65.

urinary incontinence issues. This can happen

SolutionS:

"I don't want to end up being put

both to men and women of all ages, but

in a home because I cannot be

· Watch your diet: If you're on a special

bladder problems have higher occurrence with

trusted to care for myself.

diet (for example, diabetic) maintain

advanced age. Frequent trips to the bathroom

that diet. Eating the right foods will

According to a study conducted

are bothersome and can impede sleep

stave off excess weight gain, reduce the

by Elizabeth L. Glisky, Ph.D., Susan R.

schedules and quality of life. Incontinence can

chances for edema and give you the

Rubin, M.A. and Patrick S. R. Davidson,

be the result of illness, medications, childbirth

fuel to make it through each day.

M.A., researchers from the University of

or problems of the urinary system. While it's

Arizona, memory loss is not an inevitable

· Exercise: Check with your doctor about

common for older adults, it's not a problem

part of aging. Despite the stereotypes of

a fitness plan. If you want to start

exclusive to the elderly.

seniors walking around aimlessly because

slowly, simply taking a walk each day

SolutionS:

they cannot remember anything, the

(indoors or outside depending upon

· Dietary changes: Some foods and

study has found that only some people

weather), and building up your distance

beverages can be harder on the bladder

over 65 suffer greater losses in "source

can maintain a healthy heart and

than others. Citrus fruits, carbonated

(contextual) memory" than in memory

improve muscle tone.

beverages and coffee are some of the

for facts and items. Source memory is

· Supplementation: Bone loss and other

more common offenders. A doctor may

memory for the broad contextual aspects

skeletal problems may be the culprits

be able to suggest changes to your diet

surrounding an event, such as who

behind mobility issues. Calcium

to improve health.

was speaking, or whether you learned

supplementation and other suggestions

something from a book or TV.

· Behavioral modifications: These may

from a doctor or pharmacist may be

include Kegels, which are exercises

able to help.

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