In the United States, there are roughly 47.8 million people who are age 65 and over, and that number continues to grow. As healthcare advances and we learn more about our physical and mental health, more people are finding themselves living longer lives.
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In 1901, a young German psychiatrist was called to an asylum to see a new patient. Auguste D., a woman, was experiencing increased confusion, paranoia and delusion. What was most fascinating about her case was her age. At 51, she was hardly old enough to begin experiencing what were once thought of as standard “effects of old age.” Even more interesting, her condition was worsening much faster than what normally occurs. After her hospitalization, the young psychiatrist moved on, but never truly forgot the case. Five years later, Auguste D. died. Then older, the psychologist, Alois Alzheimer, requested that he be allowed to study her brain. It was sent to him in Munich where it was dissected and he published the results of his research a year later.
Everyone has heard of Spanish explorer, Ponce De Leon, and his search for the Fountain of Youth. As the story goes, De Leon went on an expedition in 1513, voyaging overseas to current day Florida where he believed he would find the Fountain of Youth. He struggled across the land for months on his search. Finally, after being shot in the leg by a native’s arrow and struggling to continue, he abandoned his quest. Ponce De Leon and every other dreamer looking for a way to “turn back the years” slowly accepted the fact that time is inevitable and aging, unstoppable. But is it? Is it possible to turn back the clock or at least slow it down? In order to consider this, the questions of how and why we age must be answered. Scientists have worked for centuries to decipher the mystery of aging in order to answer those very questions. Here, we provide the scientific community’s most common theories on aging with a brief synopsis of each.
Most people are familiar with how physical therapy can treat a sports injury or help patients recover from surgeries. Few realize that it can also be beneficial in treating pelvic pain and improving bowel or bladder function in both men and women. This specialized therapy approach, called pelvic floor physical therapy, can help with diagnoses ranging from incontinence and difficulty with urination and/or constipation, to painful sexual intercourse, pelvic and back pain and endometriosis, among other conditions.
According to the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s disease is currently ranked as the sixth leading cause of death for the elderly in the U.S., but recent estimates indicate that the disorder may rank third, just behind heart disease and cancer. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia among older adults. Sunita Tummala, MD, Medical Director of Stroke for McLaren hospitals, shares her expertise about the disease and the latest advancements in treatment.
A study by the Pew Internet Center states that smartphone ownership among people age 50 and older has nearly doubled in the last five years. As seniors become more comfortable with smartphones, access to health and fitness apps increases, meaning the possibilities for improved senior health are limitless.
Though there were no birth records in England until the 19th century to prove his old age, Thomas Parr is said to have lived to the incredible age of 152! His simple diet consisted of potatoes, fruit and oatmeal. A couple of weeks after being invited to the court of King Charles I and eating the king’s delicacies, he died on November 13, 1635.
Today, we have more information than ever at our fingertips. Google can be our best friend, offering immediate answers to burning questions about our health. Or, it can be our worst enemy, leaving us with vague info that indicates worst-case scenarios. This is where experts can help dispel myths and save sleepless nights and anxiety about our health.
The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2050, people age 65 and older will make up 21% of the nation’s population. Our life expectancy compared to past generations is increasing, thanks in part to medical advances in treatments and prevention of diseases. At Hurley Medical Center, the goal is to make sure that our community is living not only longer but fuller lives, free of the disability that can be caused when a stroke occurs.
