September is Healthy Aging® Month and the time to get started on better health practices. As we age, we become aware that our physical and mental health, as well as dietary and social needs, change over time
Impacts of Aging on Physical Health
Physical changes are common when aging, including:
- Cardiovascular health — Many experience the stiffening of the blood vessels and arteries, causing your heart to work harder to pump blood through them
- Muskuloskeletal health — With age, bones tend to shrink in size and density, weakening them and making them more susceptible to fracture. Muscles generally lose strength, endurance, and flexibility
Impacts of Aging on Brain Health
Brain health refers to how well a person’s brain functions across several areas. Brain health can be affected by age-related changes in the brain. Aspects of brain health include:
- Cognitive health — how well you think, learn, and remember
- Motor function — how well you make and control movements, including balance
- Emotional function — how well you interpret and respond to emotions (both pleasant and unpleasant)
- Tactile function — how well you feel and respond to sensations of touch — including pressure, pain, and temperature
