Sad truths about aging

Memory Problems

Mild memory changes go along with aging and can start as early as your 40s. It might take you longer to recall names or facts or remember why you went upstairs.

But most cases of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia don’t happen until after age 65.

And dementia is not a normal part of aging. To help keep your mind sharp:

Eat healthy

Stay socially active

Exercise

Growing older is not a pain-free process. Knees stiffen up. Feet sprout bunions. And fingers that once flew over the keyboard with the greatest of ease now sometimes cramp up.

Most likely, none of this will kill you, which is why I say: Do your best to just keep moving. One of my biggest worries is that I will step on the medical treadmill and not be able to step off. You know, become one of those people whose life is structured around when they see their doctors.

What also happened during that period was that my treatments gobbled up so much of my spare time — a limited reservoir to start — that I saw fewer friends, had less fun, and worried more about myself than is probably healthy.

The staff and other patients at the PT office became a sort-of surrogate social life. Showered with by their attention and basking in their endless concern about my sore foot, it started to feel good to go there. I don’t want that to happen (although I do miss getting my foot massaged).

Disclaimer:?The information on this POST is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional advice. The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this article is for general information purposes / educational purposes only, and to ensure discussion or debate.

Thank you?….Your doctor is only as good as his or her front office staff.

When we were kids, the doctor was a solo practitioner and his wife ran the front desk, made the appointments and did his billing. This, thanks to the demolition of the health care delivery system, is no longer the case.

Now, doctors work for medical conglomerates, are inaccessible to patients by design and their front office staffs are either untrained in customer service or hired for their ability to not bother the doctor with your pesky communications.

You call and are immediately put on hold before you can get your name out. You have to chase down your test results because they don’t reliably call you with them. They regularly lose things or don’t deliver messages. If you need a prescription, it takes a week of calling for the message to get through.

Aging improves your attitude.

When I go on a trip, I used to always pre-pack. I would drag out everything in my closet and try it on, then make neat stacks of yes, no, and maybes. The process took hours and invariably, I always wound up packing just my most comfortable clothes, the ones I wore every day.

Aging’s secret miracle is that your attitude changes. You know intuitively to go straight for the comfortable clothes and can skip the trying on everything else part.

You do the same thing with relationships. You weed through them and leave the toxic ones behind. You drive a car that works for you, not the neighbors.

Do you want to add a word or two?....?

You live in a place that impresses no one but yourself. You learn to say no to requests and demands on your time and money. You want to waste neither.

Turns out you might not be a grumpy old man (or woman), after all. You’ll probably get more agreeable as you age, at least through your 60s. You’re also likely to be happier and less inclined to get angry.

Scientists haven’t figured out exactly why this happens, but they do have some theories. Older people might control their emotions better, and focus more on how to make the most of life.

Self-esteem soars as you age, studies show, and increases with wealth, education, good health, and employment. But it takes a dip after 60. That may be because people begin to have health issues and start searching for a new sense of purpose following retirement. With increasing life spans, healthier lifestyles, and working to an older age, we may see that change.

Your comments ….

You use your hands to do so many things: tie your shoes, open jars, drive, and use your phone, to name just a few. It’s hard to do much of anything without them, but as you get older, they can get weaker and less flexible. Some hand problems can even be signs of certain health conditions. Know what to look out for so you keep them in good shape.

You can lose this naturally as you age, especially after 65, and that can make it harder to do everyday tasks. If your grip gets weaker over time, it’s probably caused by brittle bones, arthritis, or muscle loss. If it happens suddenly, it might be a sign of a more serious problem, like diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure.

Your hands can shake for many reasons at any age, but it’s more common after 50. Some medicines -- like mood stabilizers and drugs that treat seizures or migraines -- can cause it or make it worse. Anxiety, stress, low blood sugar, being tired, or having too much caffeine can, too. An “active” tremor happens when you try to use your hands. A “passive” tremor happens when your hands are at rest.

We’ve all seen the “liver spots” -- or "age spots" -- that can show up after years in the sun. As your skin ages and wrinkles, it’s harder to keep moisture in, and that can lead to dry, itchy skin. Veins become more obvious with age because you lose soft tissue. This is especially true in your hands.

Protect your hands and arms when you think they’re in the line of fire: Special sleeves can help with this, or your doctor might suggest a cream or lotion to keep your skin from bruising or help make your skin thicker. If you take blood thinners and think they’re causing the bruises, talk with them about possibly changing your medication or the amount you take.

When it’s on the back of your hands and arms, doctors call it “purpura.”

A light knock can cause it, and it’s more common on thin, wrinkled, or sun-damaged older skin.

You’re also more likely to bruise if you take drugs like aspirin or other blood thinners, or drink alcohol often.

It starts as blotches of red that turn purple, then darken and fade. It doesn’t usually hurt, but it can last longer than a normal bruise, often a few weeks.

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