Ways of Maximizing Quality of Life at Old Age Above 70 Years

¶ … Maximize Quality of Life in Old Age

As an individual advances in age, his/her risk of acquiring aging-related conditions increases. Understanding that such conditions (i.e., arthritis, memory loss, hip fractures, etc.) don't form a part of normal aging is essential. They will likely develop at a particular age; however, one mustn't perceive them as an expected and unavoidable component of the aging process. How a person ages is determined by three elements: genetics, lifestyle and environment. Individuals have no control over their genes, but they can regulate their lifestyle and environment, and it is these elements that contribute the most to how well an individual ages. Jones (2014) states ten tips for maximizing quality of life for the elderly, and longevity:

Keep stress in check. Stress, in particular chronic stress, is one among the very few factors contributing to premature aging. While everybody faces stress in life, and a small quantity of it is even considered beneficial, persistent stress starts taking its toll on an individual's health.

Blood pressure management. High levels of blood pressure can be controlled if identified and managed effectively. Regular blood pressure checks, and good control, are vital. A low-salt, nutritious diet accompanied by exercise, is helpful. Modern society is plagued by hypertension. High levels of blood pressure may severely damage an individual's body, making him/her increasingly vulnerable to vascular illness and stroke.

Refrain from smoking. Society must be aware of the fact that smoking is the cause of major lung and heart ailments; thus, it must be avoided, for being able to lead a high-quality life when one grows old.

Get sufficient sleep. Sleep is known to help embed things learnt in the course of the day. Staying away from caffeine during night time and late afternoons is imperative. Caffeine remains in the body for several hours after it is consumed.

Acquiring good nutrition. Individuals must have knowledge regarding foods that are healthy and unhealthy for them. The best nutrition-related advice is to refrain from making oneself miserable trying to eat foods one doesn't relish simply to remain healthy or slim down. Food is a basic joy. Therefore, one must eat what one likes, while being smart in regard to portions. One important aspect for aging individuals is to eat an assorted diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Brain exercising. One must continually keep one's brain challenged, particularly with novel things. Routine needs to be replaced with new knowledge. Novel experiences need to be sought

Remain optimistic. Choice is the key term here. One must choose how one perceives the world around them, and this includes self. One can positively manage even those circumstances that aren't under one's control, if one has the right attitude.

Maintaining close bonds. Having other people around us is so crucial, as isolation and loneliness transcend emotional agony, and are detrimental to health.

Remaining spiritual. The mind, body, and soul require serene, reflective, peaceful moments for improving quality of life and being at ease in old age (Jones, 2014).

• Keep on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, incorporating regular exercise into it and accommodating changes in one's bodily functions, e.g. sight, hearing, physical prowess, or flexibility.

• Continue participating in regular preventive health activities (i.e., go for cancer screenings, get vaccinated for pneumonia and flu, and remember to take recommended booster shots, and stay mentally and physically active).

• Continue advocating for oneself and family members in the healthcare context, or bring along a well-read representative. Do not shy from acquiring an alternate opinion or posing questions.

• Maintain a precise record of every medication administered, together with dosage instructions for reviewing with the pharmacist and all healthcare providers. Clear up any aspect one doesn't understand.

• Manage stress well and maintain good emotional health. When faced with age-related life losses, turn to others for support to cope with these losses.

• Reside among people who will offer you necessary aging-related support. Socialization, transportation access, superior healthcare services access, and activity, all aid one in remaining content, healthy, and involved while one ages.

Changes to make in Lifestyle

Come up with sound interventions for maintaining functioning and health, and alleviating or preventing age-linked disability, disorder, and disease burden. Physical health, avoiding harmful behaviors like smoking, and appropriate nutrition help maintain and attain function and health during one's advanced years. Formulate economical and effective strategies to foster and ensure compliance with safe, healthy behaviors among the elderly. Develop a grasp of the part played by nutrition, sleep, metabolic status, and obesity in constructing better strategies for health maintenance. Carry out research for understanding hormonal modifications among the elderly, and endeavor to develop interventions for dealing with these modifications, while taking care to avoid undesired side effects. Form strategies for reducing falls and the succeeding consequences. National Institute on Aging (NIA)-endorsed human factors studies will continue identifying work setting and home safety risks for the elderly, enhance strategies for screening, and ascertain and circulate information crucial to decreasing risks of falls. Come up with interventions to prevent, treat, or delay the inception of aging-linked disorders and diseases. Back research on ways in which aging-linked changes are impacted by lifestyle interventions, and ascertain how people can sustain function as they age, or regain it after loss because of illness, trauma, or immobility. Devise and review advanced tools and methods for measuring elderly individuals' well-being, in addition to disability and illness symptoms. Identify significantly economical and better means for reducing patient, caregiver, and family stress, and enhance elderly individuals' ability to handle chronic illness. Family members and caregivers of chronically ill patients often encounter emotional strain, in addition to financial and physical burdens. Formulate strategies for improving elderly patients' interaction with the existing healthcare structure. For older patients and their family members, adequate healthcare should entail quality communication among and with healthcare providers. Information should be provided in support of training those working with aged patients. Furthermore, it is necessary to raise awareness and foster the implementation of interventions for QOL and health improvement among older adults, as communication efforts contribute significantly to educating society with regard to advances in research for enhancing old-age well-being and health. Terminally ill patients must be offered support by healthcare institutions and QOL-linked provider interactions. Focus should, in particular, be on the development of strategies for enhancing support of aged people, their family members, and healthcare providers striving to deliver life-affirming and humane end-of-life services (Living Long & Well in the 21st Century: Strategic Directions for Research on Aging; n.d)