Geriatrics Archives - Page 2 of 2

Exercise and Aging

Posted on May 14, 2022 by Xavia Malcolm

It is never too late to begin a regular fitness routine. In fact; the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute on Aging promotes exercise and physical activity as an important factor in healthy aging.

Older adults are encouraged to incorporate the following four main types of exercise into their routine:

Strength Exercise
Endurance Exercise
Balance Exercise
Flexibility Exercise

Each type of exercise offers several benefits when performed on an ongoing basis. These benefits can be achieved by doing a variety of physical activities.

Strength Exercise- Helps to build muscle and makes them stronger. Building stronger muscles can be achieved by participating in activities such as lifting weights or resistance training.
Endurance Exercise-Helps to promote a healthy heart rate and improve breathing. This type of exercise focuses on overall fitness as well as keeping the cardiovascular and respiratory systems healthy. Activities such as aerobics, swimming, walking, dancing, or jogging are considered endurance exercises.
Balance Exercise-Helps to reduce falls, a problem that is common in older adults. This type of exercise focuses on building lower body strength. Activities such as Tai Chi, walking heel to toe, and standing on one foot are considered balance exercises.
Flexibility Exercise- Helps to stretch muscles, promotes freedom of movement, and in some instances improves balance. Examples of flexibility exercises include yoga, Pilates, bending to touch your toes, or stretching your arms across your chest.

Before beginning a fitness routine, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor first. You can work with your physician to create a routine that is compatible with your lifestyle and health. To receive more information about exercise and aging, please visit the National Institute on Aging website https://www.nia.nih.gov/

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Exercises To Improve Balance in Seniors

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Xavia Malcolm

According to the National Institute on Aging, more than one in three people, aged 65 and older fall each year.

Serious falls can lead to hip fractures, broken bones, and life-threatening injuries. Therefore, it is important to identify risk factors and take the right steps to prevent an accident.

As we age, our risk of falling increases. This is due to several reasons; one of which is that our sense of balance deteriorates with time. While this may be concerning, we can lower the risk of falling and improve balance by engaging in certain exercises. Here are a few recommended by the National Institute on Aging:

Tai Chi
Standing on one foot.
The heel-to-toe walk.
The balance walk

Balance exercises can help improve stability, coordination, and posture. They are also helpful for building strength.

Be sure to modify these exercises to match your level of comfort. You can also use the aid of a chair or wall for support. Most importantly, always consult your doctor before adding any exercises to your routine.

To learn more about balance exercise recommendations from the National Insititute on Aging, please visit https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/four-types-exercise-can-improve-your-health-and-physical-ability. To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, contact 718-670-5486.

Flushing Hospital Offers Tips on Successful Aging

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Michael Hinck

In many cases, how we age has as much to do with our mental attitude as it does our physical well-being. September has been designated Healthy Aging Month, an observance designed to focus our attention on the positive aspects of growing older.

Flushing Hospital understands the importance of successful aging and wants to provide you with the following practical tips to help you improve your physical, mental, and social well-being.

Try to remain positive in your daily interactions and distance yourself from the negative influences in your life. When you catch yourself complaining, look to change the conversation to something more positive.
If you find yourself bored or lonely, do something about it! Pick up the telephone and make plans to meet someone for lunch. You can also try a new hobby, volunteer your time with a local organization or take a class and learn something new.
Don’t comply with social norms and act how society expects you to act. Instead, think back to the age when you were at your happiest and be it. This is not denial; it’s a way of staying positive, which can help you feel better about yourself.
A simple act like standing up straight can make you look and feel younger. Look at yourself in the mirror. Are you holding your stomach in, have your shoulders back, chin up? Fix your stance and practice it every day, all day until it is natural. You will look great and feel better.
Make an appointment to schedule your annual physical or other health screenings. By doing so, you can address any potential health concerns and end unnecessary worrying about some of your nagging ailments.

Flushing Hospital encourages the older members of our community to use September as the motivation to use these tools and others in their quest for successful aging.

Vaccinations For Older Adults

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Flushing Hospital

Most people understand the importance of getting their children vaccinated. A great deal of attention has been paid to protecting them from dangerous conditions that could affect their undeveloped immune systems. Although much attention has been paid to the youngest portion of our population, there is another at-risk group that needs to be aware of vaccines that can help keep them healthy – our senior citizens.

There are many vaccines recommended for older adults but unfortunately, many seniors do not receive them. Failure to do so can lead to serious consequences because as we age our immune systems weaken and the likelihood of developing serious complications increases greatly.

There are four suggested vaccines that all adults over the age of 65 should receive. They are:

Influenza vaccine – It is estimated that approximately 30 percent of seniors do not receive their annual flu shot. This is alarming because according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 85 percent of all seasonal flu-related deaths are among people 65 and older. Getting a flu shot every year can drastically decrease the chances of getting the flu and the complications that accompany it.
Pneumococcal vaccine – Older adults are much more likely to develop complications from the pneumococcal bacteria, such as blood infections, meningitis and pneumonia itself. Pneumococcal disease is responsible for the deaths of about 18,000 individuals over the age of65 each year. To protect against pneumonia it is recommended that all adults over 65 receive a series of two vaccines administered one year apart.
Tdap booster – This vaccine provides protection against three conditions – tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. This is especially important for older adults who spend time around infants, such as grandchildren since pertussis, also known as the whopping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be life-threatening to babies. Even if you received this vaccine as a child it’s important to get the booster as its effectiveness wanes over time.
Shingles vaccine – The infection herpes zoster develops when the chickenpox virus, which lies dormant in almost all adults who had chickenpox as a child, reactivates later in life. When it returns it can cause a blistering painful rash. It is recommended that all adults over the age of 50 receive the shingles vaccine, even if they already had shingles. The latest and most effective shingles vaccine is given in two doses, six months apart.

All older adults should adhere to these vaccinations to protect not only themselves but their loved ones as well. If you are over 65, speak to your doctor to find out if you are up to date with all your recommended vaccines. If you would like to make an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Benefit of the Annual Physical

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Joann Ariola

The greatest benefit of an annual physical is knowledge for both you and your physician. An annual visit establishes a baseline for your personal health. Armed with this information, your doctor can detect unhealthy trends before they become risk factors.

Nearly one third of the population with a chronic disease is unaware that they have the disease. According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, as many as 100,000 lives could be saved each year by increasing preventive care services.

Health screenings, such as blood glucose and blood pressure tests can easily detect the two most chronic conditions, diabetes and hypertension before they cause serious health issues. The Centers for Disease Control cites that seven out of every 10 deaths are caused by chronic disease. Proper management of these conditions can prevent unnecessary hospitalization.

In order to get the most out of your annual physical, take a moment to prepare:

Make a list of your health concerns
Make a list of all the medications you are taking
Get a copy of your medical records and your family medical history

Dozens of Patient Care Specialists, on staff at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, are ready to provide you with your annual check-up.

Flushing Hospital is a certified Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) in its Ambulatory Care Center. The Center offers more than 50 outpatient general and specialty services for children adolescents and adults.

Flushing Hospital’s ambulatory care services accepts most major insurances, is centrally located and has convenient patient hours. Call 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment.

Fire Safety Tips for The Holiday Season

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

Fire Safety-494529483 We tend to cook and decorate more during the holiday season. These activities if not exercised with caution and safety can lead to burn injuries, which is one of the most common problems emergency rooms face at this time of year. Doctors are requesting that people pay close attention to potential hazards that can result in burn injuries and avoid them by following these safety guidelines:

Do not leave food unattended on the stove or oven for extended periods of time.
Avoid wearing loose garments around flames by the stove or fireside.
Keep flammable objects such as pot holders, paper towels or utensils made of wood away from the stove.
When buying a real tree make sure that it is green. Also remember to water your tree if it is real – a dry tree is a fire hazard. If purchasing a synthetic tree be sure to check for a label that reads “fire resistant.”
Keep trees away from fire places or radiators.
Never leave candles or oil burners unattended.
Keep gifts and wrapping paper away from fireplaces.
Have chimneys cleaned and inspected each year.
Make certain that smoke detectors are working.
Always have a fire extinguisher within reach.
Do not overload extension cords.
Inspect holiday lights to make certain that wires are not cracked or frayed.

Please keep your holiday season safe and accident free by following recommended fire safety guidelines. For a list of further safety tips please visit the National Fire Protection Association’s website www.NFPA.org .

Senior Spotlight: Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Sage Robinson

As we age, the amount of Vitamin D we need to support muscle movement, strong bones and a healthy nervous and immune system increases. The risk of osteoporosis, where bones become fragile and may fracture if one falls, is one consequence of not getting enough calcium and vitamin D over the long term. The amount of vitamin D you need each day depends on your age. Supplements of both vitamin D3 (at 700–800 IU/day) and calcium (500–1,200 mg/day) have been shown to reduce the risk of bone loss and fractures in elderly people aged 62–85 years.

Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. Beef liver, mushrooms, egg yolks, and fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel provide small amounts. Fortified foods, including many breakfast cereals and some brands of orange juice, provide most of the vitamin D in American diets. Almost all of the milk in the United States is fortified with vitamin D, but foods like cheese and ice cream, are usually not.

Sun exposure causes the body to create vitamin D, however this isn’t true in older adults because their kidneys have a harder time converting it. It is also recommended to limit exposure to sunlight to lower the risk for skin cancer.

A simple blood test can be performed to determine your vitamin D levels and your doctor can suggest the best supplement dose for you. Some Americans are vitamin D deficient and almost no one has levels that are too high. Men and women should talk with their health care providers about their needs for vitamin D, and calcium.

Like most dietary supplements, vitamin D may interact or interfere with other medicines or supplements. Tell your doctor, pharmacist, and other health care providers about any dietary supplements and medicines you are taking.

For more health and lifestyle tips, please like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/FlushingHospital or follow us on Twitter @FHMC_NYC

Five Foods to Prevent Osteoporosis

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Osteoporosis can strike at any age and occurs in both men and women, but it is most common in post-menopausal women. Bone is living tissue that constantly regenerates. Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle making you more susceptible to fractures. The most common fractures occur in the hip, wrist or spine.

Medications, healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise can help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones.

May is National Osteoporosis Month. If you suffer from osteoporosis, try adding foods that are good for your bones and rich in nutrients like calcium, vitamins D, C, and K, as well as potassium and magnesium.

.Dairy products — Low-fat and non-fat milk, yogurt and cheese that contain calcium and are fortified with vitamin D, as well as fatty fishes like canned sardines, salmon (with bones), mackerel and tuna.

.Potassium — Spinach, beet greens, okra, tomato products, artichokes, plantains, potatoes, sweet potatoes, collard greens and raisins.

.Magnesium — Tomato products, raisins, potatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, papaya, oranges, orange juice, bananas, plantains and prunes.

.Vitamin C — Red peppers, green peppers, oranges, grapefruits, broccoli, strawberries, Brussels sprout, papaya and pineapples.

.Vitamin K — Vegetables such as kale, mustard greens, turnip greens and Brussels sprout, okra, Chinese cabbage, dandelion greens, and broccoli.

If you think you have osteoporosis, make an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling 718-670-5486.

For more health and lifestyle tips, follow us on Twitter @FHMC_NYC and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FlushingHospital.

Are Headphones Bad for Your Hearing?

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Headphones are popular for a multitude of reasons, such as convenience and sound quality, but there is a downside to these devices. According to The Journal of the American Medical Association, the number of teens who have experienced hearing loss has increased by 33% since 1994. Do you catch yourself blasting music while listening to your headphones for long periods of time? If so, your hearing may be at risk.

Headphones come in a variety of styles, but the two most commonly used are earbuds and around-ear headphones. While around-ear headphones can have negative side effects, earbuds are the more dangerous because they are inserted directly into your ears, providing an uninterrupted route for the music to travel through your ear and straight to your eardrum. When sound enters the ear, the eardrum vibrates. These vibrations travel to the cochlea, where fluid carries them to fine hairs that trigger the auditory nerve fibers, which travel to the brain. When a sound is too loud, the hairs can become damaged, causing permanent hearing loss.

Noise is damaging at about 85 decibels, or the volume of a hair dryer. People who tend to play music up to 110-120 decibels over a long period of time while using earbuds, which increases the sound by 7-9 decibels, can experience a significant amount of hearing loss.

Want to avoid further hearing loss? Try some of these helpful tips:
• Listen to your music for no longer than an hour and no louder than 60% of volume.
• Purchase around-ear headphones with noise-cancelling technology so you can avoid blasting music and prevent music from having direct contact with your eardrum.
• Remove earwax. Earwax builds up every time you push earbuds into your ear canal, so make sure you gently clean it out to prevent hearing loss, discomfort and infection.

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, please call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center to schedule an appointment with an ENT at 718-670-5486.