5-2-06

Older American’s Month

Senior citizens can lead independent and active lives for a number of years -- the keys are a healthy lifestyle and taking preventative measures.

Living a healthy lifestyle helps protect against the deterioration that is often associated with aging. Dr. Gary Rull, assistant professor of internal medicine at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, offers suggestions for seniors.

SOUND BITE: " . . . it’s important that they maintain the most active and independent lifestyle they can -- staying physically fit, taking care of their medical problems, eating healthy and looking after their mental health."

Rull says seniors need a healthy, balanced diet that is high in fruits, vegetables and fiber, and to pay extra attention to dietary restrictions for specific health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. He recommends regular exercise such as walking, stretching and weight training to improve flexibility, muscle and bone strength, and balance.

SOUND BITE: "Walking is probably one of the easiest exercises that an individual can do. It’s cheap, it doesn’t require any special equipment, obviously, most people know how to do it. Many older individuals are becoming are reaching out and doing other exercises such as bicycling, low impact aerobics, water aerobics. It is not uncommon to see more and more senior individuals in health and fitness centers in the community."

Rull says many exercises can be done in the home. He does advise seniors to take steps to guard against falls. For more information on healthy aging, ask your family doctor or visit the National Institute on Aging’s website at www.n-i-a.org.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.