Health & Fitness
Health and Fitness
Health and Fitness
Fri, September 24, 2010
Thu, September 23, 2010
LOS ANGELES--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--September is Healthy Aging® Month, and [ Health Net, Inc. ] (NYSE:HNT) is reaching out to older Americans and reminding them that there are steps they can take to help stay mentally and physically well for years to come.
"ita™s difficult to achieve fitness in other areas such as mental wellness and social satisfaction. As a result, the importance of staying physically fit cana™t be overemphasized."
aAccording to the United States Census Bureau, 35 million Americans are age 65 or older, and in the coming 20 years that number is expected to reach more than 71 million,a says JonathanScheff, M.D., chief medical officer for Health Net, Inc. aIta™s important for each of these seniors to take steps that will preserve their mental and physical health.a
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Physical fitness
aWithout physical fitness,a Scheff explains, aita™s difficult to achieve fitness in other areas such as mental wellness and social satisfaction. As a result, the importance of staying physically fit cana™t be overemphasized.a
To lead a physically fit lifestyle, ita™s recommended that seniors:
- Choose an exercise they enjoy; that way, theya™re more likely to stick with it.
- Engage in 30 minutes of aerobic activity and weight-bearing exercise every day.
- Consider incorporating exercises a" such as yoga or tai chi a" that improve balance and flexibility.
- Quit smoking; ita™s never too late to reduce smoking-related risks.
- Eat a balanced diet, including at least five servings daily of fruits and vegetables. Also opt for whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean meats.
- Make sure that youa™re getting enough calcium; ask your health care provider if you should be taking a calcium supplement.
- See a dentist regularly; tooth loss is not a natural part of aging, but can be caused by untreated mouth and gum disease.
Prior to starting a fitness or exercise program, seniors should always consult with their personal physician.
Mental wellness
aIt's a mistake to assume that aging and cognitive decline automatically go hand in hand,a Scheff observes. aIn fact, studies have shown that the brain retains its plasticity a" and thus the ability to learn new things a" right up until the end of life. Of course,a he adds, amaintaining brain fitness isna™t a passive process. You need to proactively preserve mental wellness.a
Among the suggestions to help maximize mental wellness are:
- Read frequently.
- Play board games and card games.
- Tackle puzzles, such as crossword or math puzzles.
- Take a class online or onsite.
- Learn a new skill a" such as a foreign language, or research a subject of interest.
- Find a hobby a" ita™s never too late to become passionate about a pastime.
Social satisfaction
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, after measuring memory decline over a six-year period, concluded that elderly Americans with active social lives had slower rates of memory loss than seniors who were less socially active. aThis finding certainly should motivate older men and women to stay socially engaged,a says Scheff.
Tips to help sustain social satisfaction include:
- Contribute to your community by becoming involved with local volunteer groups, religious organizations or civic groups.
- Stay in close contact with family and friends; write, e-mail or call someone daily.
- Seek professional help if you have feelings of depression; be aware that depression can manifest itself in the form of fatigue, loss of appetite and sleep problems, among other things.
- Take trips that offer opportunities to interact with others.
According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, older people tend to feel 13 years younger than their actual chronological age. The study also showed that poor health reduced the gap between felt age and actual age. Scheff notes, aIf older Americans stay true to these tips, it could help increase that number, which would unquestionably be a good thing.a
About Health Net
Health Net, Inc. is among the nationa™s largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The companya™s health plans and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 6.0million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Neta™s behavioral health subsidiary, MHN, provides mental health benefits to approximately 5.5 million individuals in all 50 states. The companya™s subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.
For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit the companya™s website at [ www.healthnet.com ].
