Caring for both body and mind becomes a powerful way to stay steady, strong and independent as people age.
Five areas of focus: mind, mobility, medications, multi-complexity and what matters most – help healthcare providers deliver holistic, patient-centered care, addressing the unique needs of older adults by looking beyond individual diseases to their overall well-being, according to Kathy Thompson, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at the Reynolds Section of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and medical director at Epworth Villa, a retirement community in Oklahoma City.
“Nobody asks for dementia,” she says. “Nobody wants cognitive decline, so maintaining cognition is important. One of the ways to keep our minds as healthy as possible is simply the same thing that’s been said over and over: good nutrition and exercise.”
Orthopedic surgeon Yogesh Mittal, M.D., of the Orthopaedic Center in Tulsa, explains that the nutrition basics to prioritize are staying well hydrated and eating enough high-quality protein, fiber and healthy fats to support muscle strength, digestion and energy.
“Brain-healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish rich in omega-3s, nuts and olive oil, along with limiting processed foods and added sugars, help protect cognitive function and reduce inflammation,” he says.
Treating depression or comorbidities, like smoking, diabetes and heart disease, also are important to protecting cognitive health.
“There are some things that we can’t change, like our genetics, “ Thompson says, “but there are other things that we can change — and that’s where we as geriatricians try to help people focus.”
Mobility is essential as people age because it supports independence, reduces the risk of falls and allows older adults to remain active and confident in daily life.
“As we age, we need to focus on strength to decrease the risk of falls,” Mittal says. “This should involve exercise for balance, strength and flexibility on a daily basis.”
Mittal recommends trying to focus on simple, progressive exercises like heel-to-toe walks, single-leg stands, feet together stands, side leg raises or marching, sit-to-stands, toe raises, wall push-ups and resistance moves such as bicep curls.
“Patients can also incorporate mind-body activities like Tai Chi to enhance body awareness and flexibility and chair yoga for low-impact strength and mobility,” he says.
Managing various medications is another important component to healthy aging.
“Often, people are put on medications for a very good medical reason, and then over time, they may not need it because of the way our bodies change as we age,” Thompson says. “Every patient that I see gets a medication reconciliation and review. A lot of times, people don’t need some of the medicines that they’re on.”
Multi-complexity refers to helping people manage their own health conditions, medications and social factors that interact with one another, requiring a comprehensive, coordinated approach to care.
“Helping people be aware of what’s out there to help them is part of my job,” Thompson says. “When somebody is 80 or 90, they have many years of medical history, and that can be overwhelming.”
Determining what matters most is a conversation for older adults and their loved ones to have with a caring doctor.
“It’s my job to tell you everything I know, and then it’s your decision to make about what’s right for you,” Thompson says. “And whatever you decide, I respect that, even if it’s something that I recommend and you don’t want to do it.”
There’s power in preventative care when it comes to aging.
“It truly can lower the risks of chronic diseases, prevent serious complications and even help avoid premature deaths by catching issues early when they’re most treatable,” Mittal says.
