{"id":10766,"date":"2020-08-26T09:23:49","date_gmt":"2020-08-26T14:23:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=10766"},"modified":"2020-08-28T16:10:59","modified_gmt":"2020-08-28T21:10:59","slug":"tips-for-staying-healthy-as-you-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/tips-for-staying-healthy-as-you-age\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for staying healthy as you age"},"content":{"rendered":"

Staying healthy and feeling your best is important at any age. But it\u2019s especially important as you grow older to focus on your health and make good lifestyle decisions.<\/p>\n

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Start preparing now<\/p>\n

Talk to a primary care provider<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important for patients to take an active role in their health beyond disease management and discuss preventive measures with their providers, especially as they age,\u201d said Mark Wargo, MD,<\/a> an OSF HealthCare family medicine physician who specializes in geriatrics, the care of older adults. \u201cSometimes we get too focused on specific diseases, such as diabetes, that we don\u2019t spend enough time on the things like the day-to-day life of a person.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Wargo was drawn to geriatrics during his residency.<\/p>\n

\u201cI spent a lot of time learning from one of the teaching physicians who was a geriatrician, and I found it to be one of the most rewarding parts of my training,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can learn a lot about life from talking with older adults. One of the most wonderful things about primary care is meeting a lot of people and getting to know them throughout the years.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s more than DNA<\/h2>\n

While genetics does play a role in longevity, Dr. Wargo said other things also play a factor.<\/p>\n

\u201cDiet plays an important role. A healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise<\/a> and healthy habits, are important, too,\u201d he said. \u201cIn addition, intellectual stimulation and opportunities for socialization play important roles as we age. And access to health care and routine visits and screenings are necessary.”<\/p>\n

Eye care and dental care also become more important as we age.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing willing to engage and play an active part in your overall health is vital.\u201d<\/p>\n

When to pay attention<\/h2>\n

\u201cPeople need to start working on playing an active role in their health care and making good lifestyle choices when they are young to create healthy habits when they are old,\u201d Dr. Wargo said.<\/p>\n

\"Infograph<\/a>

Download<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Men, women \u2013 it doesn\u2019t matter<\/h2>\n

The basics to staying healthy as you age<\/a> are the same, no matter if you\u2019re male<\/a> or female<\/a>, he said.<\/p>\n

It comes down to:<\/p>\n