Title : Who wants to live longer and healthier?
Abstract:
Health Promotion is primary to prevent functional decline, that is not caused by aging and maybe caused by Illness and diseases and/or caused by unhealthy lifestyle decisions. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2023, stated that the most common causes of death in people over the age of 65 is heart disease (including cardiac arrest), malignant neoplasms, COVID, CVA, Alzheimer’s Disease or other types of dementia, chronic lower respiratory diseases, diabetes, unintentional injury, nephritis and Influenza along with pneumonia and infectious diseases (CDC May 2023), The above diseases are exacerbated by some of the following life-style choices, smoking, alcohol, poor sleep behaviors, lack of exercise and poor dietary habits. Levels of prevention will be discussed, for example, primary prevention measures to prevent an illness or disease from occurring. For example, utilizing vaccines. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular (C/V) disease is the number one cause of death worldwide! (Cobos-Palacios, 2021). C/V disease affects heart and or blood vessels and more than 800,000 people die from C/V diseases yearly in the US (1 In 3 deaths). Almost 650,000 Americans die yearly from heart disease, and this may cause: Stroke, heart failure and peripheral artery disease. Ways to decrease C/V signs and symptoms will be discussed along with ways to decrease the incidence of C/V disease. Secondary health care prevention are methods and Procedures to detect the presence of illnesses and diseases early on so effective treatment can begin ASAP to increase incidence of a possible cure. For example, Labs: Cholesterol Starting at age 20 then every 5 yrs), PSA, tumor markers, stool: fecal occult blood yearly, colonoscopy and mammograms. Tertiary is the 3rd Levels of Prevention is needed after a diagnosis is made to return the individual to optimal level of care, for example, PT, OT, ST after a stroke, diabetic education, cardiac rehab after MI, decreasing obesity. We will discuss older adults’ barriers to types of prevention, such as, lack of reimbursement, misconceptions about health promotion, motivation issues, knowing what normal aging is and what is pathological. Most preventable cause of premature death in US is to quit smoking. Approximately one half of smokers die from tobacco related causes. We will review the negative side effects of smoking and ways to quit. In addition, we will review alcohol, socialization, stress, good nutrition including “super foods”, importance of oral and skin care, hydration, sleep and medication safety, cognitive functioning, screening and caring for mental illnesses as well chronic illnesses and aging. We will discuss the Immunizations for Primary Prevention regarding the following vaccines, Flu, Pneumonia, RSV, Shingles, TD, Hep A, Hep B and Covid. Lastly, we will discuss the importance for the following screening within aging, HTN, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, stool tests, cervical and prostate cancer, HPV, and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Healthy choices are as important in our older years than they are in our younger years. It is never too late to improve your lifestyle behavior habits.
