Balance and memory loss are major physiological and psychological vulnerabilities to geriatric well-being. Preserving mobility and preventing falls is crucial in ensuring a healthy life in the twilight years, said experts, while discussing the different dimensions of ageing well at a webinar, ‘Healthy Ageing: Mind, Strength and Mobility.’
“Good sleep from formative to later years, a healthy lifestyle from adolescent years, and preserving bone density and muscle strength are vital for functional independence when you grow old,” said Venkatraman Karthikeayan, senior consultant neurologist, Kauvery Hospital, Chennai
Problems start when people stop challenging themselves once they retire from active working life at 60. “You cannot apply a sudden brake to an active life. There has to be a planned de-phasing like the gear of a car which is brought down from five to one to halt the vehicle,” he said
According to him, pseudo-dementia due to depression and constant worries was difficult for caregivers to differentiate. The transition to dementia can be slowed down now, with breakthrough medication such as tau therapy. “When people have poor capacity to recall, have poor attention span, insomnia, it is better to seek early medical intervention. The new drug is helpful in early dementia and can postpone the onset of the condition,” he noted
Importance of nutrition
Dilip Chand Raja S., senior consultant, bone, joint and spine surgeon, Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani, Chennai, focused on the importance of nutrition for bone density and muscle strength. “Sarcopenia, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are the most common age-related conditions,” he said
Becoming organised, getting good sleep, avoiding junk food and late-night entertainment from a young age lays the foundation for healthy ageing, he opined. He recommended an anti-inflammatory diet containing adequate protein, Vitamin D and calcium, coupled with weight-bearing, strength training, stability and balancing exercises. “We have to build a new ecosystem for our elders to enable them to lead a happy and healthy life,” he said
The webinar was jointly presented by The Hindu Wellness Series and Kauvery Hospital to mark World Senior Citizen’s Day on August 21. The webinar can be viewed at https://newsth.live/THKASY
