In my last blog, I focused on memory loss that is typically associated with aging. As we all know, aging starts as soon as we are born.  But did you realize that most older adults are healthy and engaged in normal activities. According to Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing approximately 78% of  65+ are healthy. For additional statistic and resources visit Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing’s new site http://www.consultgerirn.org/resources .   Today, I would like to talk about living a healthy lifestyle as we age. Genetics plays a pivotal role in our health outcomes but we need to acknowledge that environmental conditions and the quality of health care that one receives strongly influences the aging process. Aging is a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. Everyday we witness this. A person who has inherited high cholesterol from his/her parents but chooses to continue to smoke which impacts his/her risk factor for heart disease. This puts him/her at a risk for a heart attack. So what are some key behaviors for maintaining a healthy lifestyle while we age: not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, exercising, getting adequate rest, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, coping with stress, maintaining a positive outlook on life.  Another import component is to keep up with your health screenings.  It is not uncommon during a geriatric assessment to find out that breast cancer runs in a woman’s  family, the mother and sister both died for breast cancer, but the surviving sister who is 70 has not had a mammogram in years, even though Medicare pays for it.  It is important to always talk to your physician and schedule your necessary screens.     As a start, review the health care screening activities listed below.  You may want to use the following tool to keep track of your screening activities and share it with your physician.  
     Recommendations   Date Completed
Yearly  ** Flu Vaccine  
> 65  1 dose ** Pneumococcal Vaccine  
1 booster dose q 10 yrs * Tetanus Vaccine  
> 60  -- 1 dose * Shingles Vaccine  
> 65  q 1 -2 yrs  * Mammogram/Clinical Breast Exam  
Q 3yrs  - can be stopped > 70 * Pap Smear  
At least 1 x after age 65 * Bone Density Test  
At least once in people with HTN or Hyperlipidemia * Diabetes Mellitus Screening  
If diabetic – q 3 mo Hemoglobin A1c  
Yearly if HTN, Diabetes etc. * Eye Exam  
Yearly * Hearing  Exam  
> 50 yearly then q 5yrs/10 years * Colon Cancer Screening (FOBT, sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy)  
At least Yearly * Blood Pressure Screen  
> 65 screen  - q yr PSA ( male)  
Q 5 yrs/ more often if CAD, DM, PAD, or Prior Stroke Lipid Disorder Screening  
Other Screening Activites    
 CDC Recommendations & US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) * USPSTF (AGS: Geriatrics at Your Fingertips 2007)  Remember that a geriatric care manager can always assist in you assessing your dimension of well-being and in designing an action plan to maintain a healthy lifestyle while you age.