Staying Healthy: For Seniors Only

This health Web page is designed to help seniors stay healthy for life. Seniors are living longer and more actively thanks to preventive health care. Make sure your health care provider is aware of all your medical history and any current symptoms. Subjects you might want to discuss with your health care provider could include the topics listed below.

Alzheimer's Disease
New treatments and services can make living with Alzheimer's Disease more manageable. Learn what you need to know to help a family member with Alzheimer's Disease.

Arthritis
Arthritis can be debilitating as you get older, but there may be new treatments that can help you cope with arthritis. Talk with your health care provider about ways of minimizing the effects of arthritis through improving your mobility and strength. Your health care provider can also advise you about whether various over-the-counter medications may be right for you.  

Cancer prevention and treatment
You can take important steps at every age to minimize the chances of developing many types of cancer. By making sure you receive age-appropriate health screenings such as mammograms and colorectal cancer screenings, you have your best chance of detecting breast cancer or colorectal cancer in its early, most treatable stages. 

  • Colorectal Cancer: Have a test for colorectal cancer starting at age 50.  Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you.
  • Breast Cancer Screenings (women): Have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years starting at age 40.
  • Breast Self Exam (BSE) is an option for women to begin in their 20s. Have your health care provider show you how to do a BSE. If you choose to do BSE, you can get to know how your breasts normally feel, which can make it easier to notice changes.
  • Prostate Cancer Screenings (men): Talk to your doctor about the possible benefits of prostate cancer screening.

Dental Health
Maintain your good dental health habits. Consult with your dental health care provider to assure that you are doing all you can do to maintain good dental health. This will include cleansing your mouth, brushing your teeth and maintaining orthodontic appliances. Simple daily habits such as these can help prevent a mouthful of dental problems from occurring

Diabetes
Early detection and treatment of diabetes prevents later complications from the disease.

Emotional Health
Depression among seniors is frequently under-diagnosed by health care providers. Seniors have unique life challenges that may cause feelings of sadness - loss of loved ones and increasing difficulties with performing daily tasks are among the issues that seniors deal with. If you are feeling sad and are not enjoying activities you once took pleasure in, make sure you mention this to your health care provider.  There is no reason to let depression rob you of the many pleasures of life. New medications are available and effective to treat depression in seniors.

Environmental Health Issues
Environmental health issues range from air and water pollution to exposures to hazardous chemicals at work and at home. Environmental health issues also include diseases such as West Nile Virus, spread by mosquitoes, and Lyme disease, spread by ticks. Learn what you can do to minimize health impacts from environmental health issues. 

Functional Status
During your senior years, natural aging processes or disease may alter the way your body functions on a daily basis.

  • Many seniors find that arthritic changes limit their ability to perform some daily tasks.
  • Falls or injuries can limit mobility.
  • Vision and hearing problems may interfere with driving or other tasks.
  • Disabilities related to diseases such as heart disease or lung disease may make some activities difficult.
  • Memory loss can impact the quality of life.

However, with good quality medical care, many of these complications can be minimized. You should expect to enjoy a high quality of life as you age and seek out solutions to functional problems as they arise. Ask your health care provider for information about the following topics:

  • Arthritic aids 
  • Low vision aids
  • Hearing aids
  • Injury prevention tips
  • Aids to maintaining flexibility and strength
  • Support for Alzheimer patients and families

Hearing and Vision
Follow your health care providers suggestions about ways maintain your hearing and vision. Ask whether hearing or low vision aids will help you with daily tasks.

Heart Health
Heart healthy behaviors pay off in increased vitality at every age. Seniors can increase their  longevity and the quality of their life by maintaining heart healthy behaviors. A healthy heart is one of life's great benefits. Make your heart the best  it can be.

Immunizations
Not for kids only. Senior may still need some immunizations to keep healthy. Keep your life on track with timely immunizations and avoid being sidelined by vaccine-preventable diseases.

Injury Prevention 
Accidents will happen at any age. But many injuries can be prevented - take advantage about what's know about injury prevention to avoid as many injuries as possible.

Livable Cimmunities Aging Network Newsletter
The first issue of “60-+,” the new Livable Communities Aging Network Newsletter is posted at www.westchestergov.com/seniors.  Check it out every month to be up-to-date on news from the county’s Department of Senior Programs and Services

Long-Term Care Help
Need help with long-term care for a disabled child, adult or senior?  Find help with in-home care, out-of-home care, Medicaid/Medicare, transportation, health/recreation, advocacy/education, insurance and financial planning.  Call 914-813-6300 and talk with a person who knows and cares (confidential). 

Deciding where to spend the golden years is one of the most important decisions anyone will make, and it’s important to know that each state classifies assisted living and nursing homes in a different way, and each state has different rules and regulations to follow to ensure senior health.  This guide, Federal and State Nursing Home & Assisted Living Regulations; Transparency, Safety and Living Rescources for All 50 States (April 2021), has detailed information for all 50 states about topics like how each state defines assisted living, admission and retention policies, square feet requirements, etc. 

Nutrition and Physical Activity 
Good nutrition and a physically active lifestyle can make your senior years the best time of your life. Ask your health care provider for suggestions about what type of physical activity and nutrition are best for you.

Sexual Health
If you are sexually active, talk to your doctor about being screened for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.

Tobacco and Alcohol Use
Don't smoke. If you do smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting. You can take medicine and get counseling to help you quit. Make a plan and set a quit date. Tell your family, friends and co-workers that you are quitting and ask for their support.