What can happen to your body as you age? Menopause is probably at the top of your list! But these changes – and aging – are inevitable. What's not inevitable, though, is incontinence. Incontinence is not a normal part of aging. Changes that occur as we age may contribute to incontinence, but incontinence can be treated, managed, or even cured. Manage your incontinence so that it won't interfere with the life that you want to live.
While you're managing your incontinence, you should also take other steps to age well and healthily. Here are 5 tips:
- Stay connected. Social interaction is very important in aging well and has a positive effect on general well-being and on how you cope with changes in life. Older adults can live longer, healthier lives by staying socially connected. So check out your local community centre for clubs and activities, they're a great way to meet and socialize with others – try signing up for a group class (want to learn to play guitar or a new language?). And don't turn down that next party invitation! Stay connected with family, too – grab dinner with the kids and grandkids, or use digital tools like Zoom and FaceTime to connect like never before.
- Exercise regularly. Physical activity can benefit you physically, mentally, and socially. Exercising also helps you reach a healthy weight, which is important because a healthy weight reduces symptoms of incontinence.You should aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every week, in intervals of at least 10 minutes. Try brisk walking or swimming. If you've always wanted to try salsa dancing – there's no better time than now! Falls are the major cause of injuries among older adults in Canada. Improve your strength, balance, and flexibility through activities such as weight-lifting and yoga to help reduce the risk of falls.
- Eat healthy. As we age, we require fewer calories but more nutrients to promote and protect our health. Healthy eating reduces the risk for chronic disease, and contributes to independence and quality of life. Start eating healthy today: buy a healthy recipes cookbook and make at least one dish from there a day, or sign up for a healthy cooking class. Limit yourself to a maximum of 2 drinks per week and no more than 2 drinks per occasion to reduce your risk of alcohol-related harm.
- Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke is linked to many chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, lung cancer). It's also linked to disability and decreased mobility. The good news is that it's never too late to quit. Quitting smoking can improve your quality of life and longevity, and reduce the risk of disease.
- Take care of your skin. Wrinkles, sagging skin, and other skin changes are some of the most obvious signs of aging. Help take care of it by protecting it from the sun: wear sunscreen with minimum SPF 30, even in the winter, and wear protective clothing (hat, long-sleeved shirts, long pants). Drink plenty of fluids and use moisturizers to keep skin hydrated.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/5-Tips-for-Women-on-Aging-Well
