Move It or Lose It: Promoting Wellness and Exercise in Senior Adults
Terence W. Starz, MD
Being healthy and practicing healthy living activities including proper diet, exercise, sleep, and stress control are goals that most individuals desire. However, desiring and achieving these are frequently mismatched. The science of aging and body restoration has advanced tremendously over the past two decades including the significant inherent capacity of the body to adapt, heal, and weather the many internal and external stresses placed on it. While this capacity has limitations with aging, an individual can do much to influence it. Over a lifetime, changes occur in all organs with associated reductions in reserve capacity. For example, the peak bone mass, visual acuity, and hearing range occurs at approximately age 30. If needed, some correction can be made with medicines, glasses, and a hearing aid. Aging changes also occur in muscles primarily related to inherent factors and reduction in physical activity. These include decreased number and size of muscle fibers with fibrous and fatty tissue replacement (sarcopenia), decreased contractility, and less tone. Joints are then impacted because decreased muscle support increases mechanical stress with activity. Muscle and joint alterations are daunting and difficult to improve; however, wellness strategies including a regular directed exercise program can positively impact the musculoskeletal system. The benefits of exercise can result in enhanced physical, mental, and social well-being especially when done consistently and with other individuals.
|
Any views or opinions presented in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent any policy or position of PAMED, PMDA, AMDA, its affiliates, and members. |
Save The Dates:
Fall Regional Meeting - September 21, 2022
|
We CAN’T WAIT to see you in 5, 4, 3, 2…
Have you registered for PALTC22? There are two registration options for the event, which is taking place March 10-13: GO BALTIMORE or GO DIGITAL.
|
AMDA Statement on Safe, Equitable, and Timely Distribution of COVID-19 Therapeutics for PALTC |
Coding Guide Updated
AMDA’s Guide to Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Coding, Reimbursement, and Documentation is a popular and must-have publication that contains coding and documentation requirements as well as one or two Society-developed coding vignettes for each of the nursing home family of codes. It has been updated with guidance for the new split/shared visit in a facility as well as with information to Chronic Care Management (CCM) and the changing use of telehealth. Get more details.
|
Upcoming Webinar:
Drive to Deprescribe: Sharing Strategies, Successes, and Secrets
(FREE webinar series)
Date: Thursday, March 17
Time: 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM ET
|
Recently Archived Webinars:
|
JAMDA Recruiting for New Editor-in-Chief
The position will begin in September to start the transition of editors, with full responsibility beginning with the January 2023 issue. The position is for a five-year initial term, renewable based on performance. Learn More
|
|
AMDA On-The-Go
Podcast Series
|
|
