Senior
Resource Fair on May 27 at the Lincoln Park District
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[May 13, 2009]
May is Older Americans Month, a
special time to bring attention to issues that affect older adults
and to create communitywide opportunities to help older Americans
improve their quality of life. Accordingly, the Senior Issues Task
Force of the Healthy Communities Partnership is hosting a Senior
Resource Fair on May 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Lincoln Park
District Rec Center. The public is invited.
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This year's theme for Older Americans Month is "Living
Today for a Better Tomorrow." In a related news release, the
Administration on Aging says that as a nation, we must work together
to give older adults the tools they need to make healthy decisions.
By 2030, one in every five Americans will be age 65 or older.
Although the risk of disease increases with advancing age, poor
health is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Many illnesses,
disabilities and even deaths associated with chronic disease are
preventable.
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Nearly 40 percent of deaths in America can be attributed to poor
health habits such as lack of physical exercise, poor eating habits
and smoking. Older Americans can prevent or control chronic disease
by adopting healthy habits such as exercising regularly, maintaining
a healthy diet and ceasing tobacco use. The benefits of regular
physical activity include weight control; healthy bones, muscles and
joints; arthritis relief; reduced symptoms of anxiety and
depression; and more. Exercise does not have to be strenuous and is
safe for people of all age groups. In fact, it's healthier to
exercise than eliminate it altogether. Older Americans can greatly
benefit from a regular exercise routine that includes strength,
balance, stretching and endurance exercises.
In addition to a regular exercise routine, good nutrition is
vital in maintaining good health. Improving older Americans' diets
can reduce the occurrence of chronic diseases, but most older adults
over age 65 do not maintain a healthy diet. Reducing saturated fats
and eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and grains can help
keep older Americans on the right track to staying healthy.
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While it's important for older Americans to have good physical
health, it's equally important that they maintain good mental
health. Nearly 20 percent of Americans age 55 and older experience
depression and anxiety disorders.
Studies have shown that engaging in social activities within the
community can greatly improve mental health. In fact, research has
demonstrated a strong relationship between volunteering and mental
health and that volunteering provides older adults with greater
benefits than younger volunteers. Benefits include improved mental
and physical health, greater life satisfaction, lower rates of
depression, and lower mortality rates.
For more on how older adults can live better today and in the
future, visit www.aoa.gov and
visit the Senior Resource Fair at the end of the month.
[Text from file received from
Healthy
Communities Partnership]
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