Senior Health- Medication Risks, Safe Exercise, and Positive Attitude

Health risks increase as people grow older.  Seniors begin taking all kinds of medication and should be exercising to stay healthy, although some physical conditions can prevent certain exercise.  A senior’s attitudes can sometimes seem unbearable because of pain, emotional distress or frustrations.

Studies have shown that drugs may increase the health problems in seniors.  In Canadian research, dementia patients within nursing homes are suffering from side effects of drugs that can cause dizziness and risk of falls.  The medication creates health risks, instead of eliminating the risks.  Seniors can also gain health problems and risk medication errors when taking one or a numerous amount of prescribed drugs.  Medication can be administered to a patient through the wrong route and by the wrong dosage.  Both ways of administration can be dangerous to the patient if not properly handled.  Medications should always be checked and read properly so that no mistakes are made.

Seniors should ask their doctor if they are not sure if exercise is safe.  Seniors who have arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease can exercise with permission from their physician.  Individuals should wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes, and the forms of exercise that could be used are walking, swimming and bicycling.  Joint pain can make exercise seem intolerable, but different treatments such as joint replacements, psychological interventions, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy and medications can make exercise tolerable.

Positive attitudes improve emotional, mental and physical health.  Seniors who develop positive attitudes about aging tend to create a positive, healthy future for themselves.