If you have older family members or loved ones, you may worry about their health as they age. Aging increases the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and dementia. The good news is that adopting and maintaining a few key behaviors can help older adults live longer, healthier lives. As a family member, it’s important to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors in your loved ones — it’s never too late to start!

Healthy behavior changes can help older adults live more independently later in life. That’s important both for their quality of life and for yours. If a family member loses independence — whether it’s due to disability or chronic disease — you may find yourself in a caregiving role earlier than expected, which can affect family dynamics as well as finances.

So what can you do to help the older adults in your life manage their health, live as independently as possible, and maintain quality of life as they age? Read on to learn about four ways to help support and promote healthy habits in your older loved ones’ lives.

As people age, they often find themselves spending more time alone. Poor health, the death of a partner, caring for a loved one, and other situations that are more likely as people age can all lead to being socially isolated or feeling lonely.

Although they sound similar, social isolation and loneliness are different. Loneliness is the distressing feeling of being alone or separated, while social isolation is the lack of social contacts and having few people to interact with regularly. Increased social isolation and loneliness are associated with higher risks for health problems, such as depression; heart disease; and cognitive decline, which is a decrease in the ability to think, learn, and remember.

As a family member, you can play an important role in helping the older adults in your life to stay socially connected. Here are some ways you can help:

Encourage them to seek out others with shared interests, such as through a garden club, volunteer organization, or walking group.

Search the Eldercare Locator or call 800-677-1116. The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service that connects older adults and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources.

There are lots of reasons to make physical activity a part of daily life. Exercise can help reduce levels of stress and anxiety, improve balance and lower risk of falls, enhance sleep, and decrease feelings of depression. Most importantly, people who exercise regularly not only live longer, but also may live better — meaning they enjoy more years of life with less pain or disability. On the other hand, lack of physical activity can lead to increased visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and increased risk of certain chronic conditions.

Encouraging the older adults in your life to exercise may not be easy — it can be difficult to get someone to start a new activity — but the rewards are worth the effort. Following are some suggestions to help encourage exercise or other daily movement:

Help your loved ones aim for a mix of activities, including aerobics, strength training, balance, and flexibility. This could include walking around the neighborhood, lifting weights, gardening, or stretching.

Discuss how much activity is recommended and brainstorm ways to work it into their daily lives. Experts recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, and muscle-strengthening activities at least two days each week.

Help them shop for appropriate clothing and equipment for their exercise activities. Remember, many activities don’t require expensive equipment. For example, they can use filled water bottles as weights for strength training or walk outside or at a mall rather than on a treadmill.

Share your favorite activities that get you moving. Are there any you could do together? If so, that’s a bonus because you’re not only helping promote physical activity but also helping to prevent loneliness and social isolation.

Healthy eating is an important part of healthy aging. As with exercise, eating well is not just about weight. Having a healthy diet can help support muscles and strengthen bones, which can help with balance and independence. A nutritious diet involving a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins also can help boost immunity and lower the risk of certain health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers.

Volunteer leaders are needed to teach with RSVP’s popular senior exercise program, Bone Builders. No experience is necessary to become an instructor, the first training step is to attend a class and observe. Interested volunteers then attend a free training session to learn the program and prepare for teaching.

Trained instructors make a difference in the lives of those enrolled in classes, as well as contribute to their own well-being by engaging in a regular exercise program. RSVP exercise programs are free and open to the public. Classes operate in RSVP’s four-city service area of Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo and Port Hueneme.

This is an osteoporosis exercise and education program in which participants use light weights to build bones while also improving their balance and making new friends. There are currently 21 classes scheduled in RSVP’s four-city area, but several have lengthy wait lists. By training more instructors we will be able to add more classes and accommodate the community’s interest in this program.

Volunteers attend one day of training before being paired with an experienced instructor to practice and ready for leading their own class. All trainings run from 9:00am to 3:00pm in Oxnard. Lunch is provided.

RSVP is a volunteer engagement program, helping people age 55 and older find volunteer positions that match their interests, talent, and available time. It both recruits and places volunteers with nonprofit partner agencies as well as overseeing the two distinct exercise programs designed for seniors. Volunteer positions are available in RSVP’s four-city service area of Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo and Port Hueneme.

Oxnard RSVP has about 350 members and is locally sponsored by the City of Oxnard with grant funding from the federal AmeriCorps. To learn more about the benefits of being an RSVP member, for help finding a volunteer position or more information about the trainings, call 805-385-8019.

Coping with a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia (LBD) and all that follows can be challenging. Getting support from family, friends, and professionals is critical to ensuring the best possible quality of life. Creating a safe environment and preparing for the future are important, too. Take time to focus on your strengths, enjoy each day, and make the most of your time with family and friends. Here are some ways to live with LBD day to day.

Your family and close friends are likely aware of changes in your thinking, movement, or behavior. You may want to tell others about your diagnosis so they can better understand the reason for these changes. For example, you could say that you have been diagnosed with a brain disorder called Lewy body dementia, which can affect thinking, movement, and behavior, and that you will need more help over time. By sharing your diagnosis, you can build a support team to help you manage LBD.

As LBD progresses, you will likely have more trouble managing everyday tasks such as taking medication, paying bills, and driving. You will gradually need more assistance from family members, friends, and perhaps professional caregivers. Although you may be reluctant to get help, try to let others partner with you so you can manage responsibilities together. Remember, LBD affects your loved ones, too. You can help reduce their stress when you accept their assistance.

Finding someone you can talk with about your diagnosis — a trusted friend or family member, a mental health professional, or a spiritual advisor — may be helpful.

LBD causes changes in thinking and movement that can lead to safety issues. Consider these steps:

Fill out and carry the LBD Medical Alert Wallet Card and present it any time you are hospitalized, require emergency medical care, or meet with your doctors. It contains important information about medication sensitivities.

Consider subscribing to a medical alert service, in which you push a button on a bracelet or necklace to access 911 if you need emergency help.

Address safety issues in your home. Consider areas of fall risk, poor lighting, stairs, or cluttered walkways. Think about home modifications that may be needed, such as installing grab bars in the bathroom or adding stairs with ramps. Ask your doctor to refer you to a home health agency for a home safety evaluation.

Talk with your doctor about LBD and driving. Have your driving skills evaluated, if needed.

There are many ways to plan ahead after a diagnosis of LBD. Here are some things to consider:

Start conversations early. Soon after your diagnosis, start conversations with your family and doctors about the care you’d like to receive in the future.

If you are working, consult with a legal and financial expert about planning for disability leave or retirement. Symptoms of LBD will interfere with work performance over time, and it is essential to plan now to obtain benefits you are entitled to.

Consult with an attorney who specializes in elder law or estate planning to help you write or update a living will, health care power of attorney, will, and other documents.

Identify local resources for home care, meals, and other services before you need them.

Explore moving to a retirement or continuing care community where activities and varying levels of care can be provided over time, as needed. Ask about staff members’ experience caring for people with LBD.

Despite the many challenges and adjustments that come with an LBD diagnosis, you can have moments of love, humor, tenderness, and gratitude with the people closest to you. Your attitude can help you find enjoyment in daily life.

Make a list of events and activities you can still enjoy — then find a way to do them! For example, listen to music, exercise, or go out for a meal with family and friends. If you can’t find pleasure in daily life, talk with your doctor or another health care professional about effective ways to cope. Let your family know if you are struggling emotionally so they can offer support.

For more information about living with Lewy body dementia

NIA Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center

800-438-4380

Where people live is especially important as people age. Life changes including retirement; children leaving the household; possible physical, mental, and cognitive declines; and changes in disability status influence the housing preferences of older adults. These changes may require changes in a person’s or family’s living arrangements. Domestic Migration of Older Americans: 2015 – 2019, a report supported in part by NIA and released today by the U.S. Census Bureau, describes the migration patterns of older adults to help provide key insights on this important topic.

Following are a few key findings:

Although older adults are far less likely to change their home residence than younger people, more than 3 million adults age 65 and older move every year. Larger proportions of the oldest old population — people age 85 and over — moved, compared to those age 65 to 84.

Older adults living with at least one disability were found to be more likely to move than those with none. However, individuals with a disability who moved were likely to relocate within their same county.

The southern and western states were the most popular destinations for older adults who move. Among the states, Florida gained the most older people, while New York had the greatest number of people leave the state.

These migration estimates and patterns could provide critical data for federal, state, and local governments, policymakers, and businesses to support community planning. For example, communities with high proportions of older adults may want to ensure that their public transit routes stop at grocery stores and pharmacies.

Although there is no effective treatment or proven prevention for Alzheimer’s and related dementias, in general, leading a healthy lifestyle may help address risk factors that have been associated with these diseases.

Control high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, has harmful effects on the heart, blood vessels, and brain, and increases the risk of stroke and vascular dementia. Treating high blood pressure with medication and healthy lifestyle changes, such as exercising and quitting smoking, may help reduce the risk of dementia.

Manage blood sugar. Higher than normal levels of blood sugar, or glucose, can lead to diabetes and may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Making healthy food choices, getting regular exercise, stopping smoking, and checking glucose levels can help manage blood sugar.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk for related health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Being active and choosing healthy foods can help maintain a healthy weight.

Eat a healthy diet. Aim for a mix of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and seafood, unsaturated fats such as olive oil, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, and limit other fats and sugars.

Keep physically active. Physical activity has many health benefits, such as helping to prevent being overweight and having obesity, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.

Stay mentally active. Lots of activities can help keep your mind active, including reading, playing board games, crafting or taking up a new hobby, learning a new skill, working or volunteering, and socializing.

Stay connected with family and friends. Connecting with people and engaging in social activities can prevent social isolation and loneliness, which are linked to higher risks for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

Treat hearing problems. Hearing loss may affect cognition and dementia risk in older adults and can make it more difficult to interact with others. Protect your ears from loud sounds to help prevent hearing loss and use hearing aids if needed.

Take care of your mental and physical health. This includes getting your recommended health screenings, managing chronic health issues such as depression or high cholesterol, and regularly checking in with your health care provider.

Sleep well. Sleeping well is important for both your mind and body. Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Talk with your doctor if you are not getting enough sleep, sleeping poorly, or think you may have a sleep disorder.

Prevent head injury. Take steps to prevent falls and head injury, such as fall-proofing your home and wearing shoes with nonskid soles that fully support your feet. Consider participating in fall prevention programs online or in your area. Also, wear seatbelts and helmets to help protect you from concussions and other brain injuries.

Drink less alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to falls and worsen health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, memory loss, and mood disorders. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health, recommends that men should not have more than two drinks a day and women only one. Learn more at NIAAA’s Rethinking Drinking website.

Stop tobacco use. At any age, stopping smoking can improve your health and lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and lung disease.

Researchers cannot say for certain whether making the above lifestyle changes will protect against dementia, but these changes are good for your health and are all part of making healthy choices as you age.

A simple accident like tripping on a rug or slipping on a wet floor can change your life. If you fall, you could break a bone, which thousands of older adults experience each year. For older people, a broken bone can also be the start of more serious health problems and can lead to long-term disability.

If you or an older adult in your life has fallen, you’re not alone. More than one in four people age 65 years or older fall each year. The risk of falling — and fall-related problems — rises with age. However, many falls can be prevented. For example, exercising, managing your medications, having your vision checked, and making your home safer are all steps you can take to prevent a fall.

Many older adults fear falling, even if they haven’t fallen before. This fear may lead them to avoid activities such as walking, shopping, or taking part in social activities. But staying active is important to keeping your body healthy and actually helps to prevent falls. So don’t let a fear of falling keep you from being active! Learn about what causes falls and how to lower your risk of falling so you can feel more comfortable with staying active.

Many things can cause a fall.

Your eyesight, hearing, and reflexes might not be as sharp as they were when you were younger.

Certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or problems with your thyroid, nerves, feet, or blood vessels can affect your balance and lead to a fall.

Conditions that cause rushed movement to the bathroom, such as incontinence, may also increase the chance of falling.

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment or certain types of dementia are at higher risk of falling.

Age-related loss of muscle mass (known as sarcopenia), problems with balance and gait, and blood pressure that drops too much when you get up from lying down or sitting (called postural hypotension) are all risk factors for falling.

Foot problems that cause pain, and unsafe footwear such as backless shoes or high heels, can also increase your risk of falling.

Some medications can increase a person’s risk of falling because they cause side effects such as dizziness or confusion. The more medications you take, the more likely you are to fall.

Safety hazards in the home or community environment can also cause falls.

by Carol Leish, MA

“A common denominator for older adults being at risk of facing homelessness is a fixed low income that isn’t keeping pace with the cost of housing in Ventura County,” according to Carey Aldava, Manager of Ventura County Adult Protective Services Program. “Many older adults who face homelessness are affected by the increased cost of housing in California and the lack of affordable senior housing options. According to 2022 data from the Homeless Management Information System, 25% of those experiencing homelessness in Ventura County are older adults living on a fixed social security income. Older women may be disproportionately impacted by the loss of their spouse’s income, which affects their ability to afford housing”

Going through the pandemic has affected older adults in various ways. Aldava said, “During the pandemic, some older adults may have lost a spouse who supplied additional income to the household. Some dependent adults may no longer have been able to afford their existing housing and may have had to relocate, or in some cases, have become homeless for the first time. The United Way of Ventura County’s Landlord Engagement Program has been offering signing bonuses and holding deposits to help secure more rental units for low-income households. To learn more, visit: www.unitedendhomelessvc.org/landloard-engagement-program.

“Understanding how the pandemic disproportionally has affected the need of special populations, like the elderly and people who are unhoused, could be helpful in being able to better address issues related to the pandemic in Ventura County.

“Older adults who qualify as Adult Protective Services (APS), clients and have a current protective issue,” may be eligible for emergency housing funds through APS. To qualify for APS services, adults must be 60 and older or between the ages of 18-59 with challenges caring for themselves and needing someone to advocate for them.” As to resources available, Aldava said.

According to Jennifer Harkey with the Ventura County Continuum of Care in the County’s Executive Office, “the Ventura County Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program provides grant funding to local residents who are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness (received a notice to vacate). To learn more, call: (805) 385-1800 or visit: www.vchsa.org/homeless-services-more.”

The connection of resources can help. Harkey said, “Our community can better tackle homelessness by collaborating and working together as a community, which includes: helping to connect people to resources, working with landlords to advocate for permanent housing options, and sometimes even providing cash assistance that may be available to help people get back on their feet. Shared housing options for seniors on fixed incomes is one creative approach in this high-cost rental market. The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging has a HomeShare program to help match renters/owners who are interested in sharing a home. To learn more call: (805) 477-5300 or visit: www.vcaaa.org/our-services/housing.”

Reporting self-neglect of an individual is important. “If an older or dependent adult lacks housing, that is considered a type of self-neglect and is reportable to Adult Protective Services,” according to Aldava.

“Our team would respond to the report by working to link the older or dependent adult to needed services and provide them with available housing options within the community. Reports of suspected abuse or neglect may be made online at www.reporttoaps.org or by calling the Child and Adult & Neglect Hotline at: (805) 654-3200.

“Also, the Ventura County Continuum of Care offers resources for those experiencing homelessness who need housing, a shelter or other resources. Please call: 2-1-1 or visit: www.venturaacoc.org.

Everyone needs social connections to survive and thrive. But as people age, they often find themselves spending more time alone. Being alone may leave older adults more vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation, which can affect their health and well-being. Studies show that loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risks for health problems such as heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline.

If you are in poor health, you may be more likely to be socially isolated or lonely. If you are socially isolated or feeling lonely, it can put your physical and mental health at risk. Adults who are lonely or socially isolated are less healthy, have longer hospital stays, are readmitted to the hospital more often, and are more likely to die earlier than those with meaningful and supportive social connections.

The number of older adults age 65 and older is growing, and many are socially isolated and regularly feel lonely. The coronavirus outbreak in 2020 brought even more challenges due to health considerations and the need to practice physical distancing.Older African American woman combats loneliness and social isolation by video chatting with her family on a tablet.

Loneliness and social isolation are different, but related. Loneliness is the distressing feeling of being alone or separated. Social isolation is the lack of social contacts and having few people to interact with regularly. You can live alone and not feel lonely or socially isolated, and you can feel lonely while being with other people.

Older adults are at higher risk for social isolation and loneliness due to changes in health and social connections that can come with growing older, hearing, vision, and memory loss, disability, trouble getting around, and/or the loss of family and friends.

People who are socially isolated or lonely are more likely to be admitted to the emergency room or to a nursing home. Social isolation and loneliness also are associated with higher risks for:

People who are lonely or socially isolated may get too little exercise, drink too much alcohol, smoke, and often don’t sleep well, which can further increase the risk of serious health conditions.

People who are lonely experience emotional pain. Losing a sense of connection and community can change the way a person sees the world. Someone experiencing chronic loneliness may feel threatened and mistrustful of others.

Emotional pain can activate the same stress responses in the body as physical pain. When this goes on for a long time, it can lead to chronic inflammation (overactive or prolonged release of factors that can damage tissues) and reduced immunity (ability to fight off disease). This raises your risk of chronic diseases and can leave a person more vulnerable to some infectious diseases.

Social isolation and loneliness may also be bad for brain health. Loneliness and social isolation have been linked to poorer cognitive function and higher risk for dementia, including and especially for Alzheimer’s disease. Also, little social activity and being alone most of the time may contribute to a decline in the ability to perform everyday tasks such as driving, paying bills, taking medicine, and cooking.

The Eldercare Locator connects the public to services for older adults and their families. This resource seeks to provide assistance for a wide range of issues affecting older Americans, including social isolation and loneliness.

Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 or visit https://eldercare.acl.gov/ to get connected today.

For additional resources on older adults and social isolation and loneliness visit, Expand Your Circles: Prevent Isolation and Loneliness As You Age (PDF, 4.75M).

Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight and prevent chronic diseases ranging from heart disease to diabetes. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get a minimum of 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week, or at least half that amount of vigorous-intensity activity.

Previous studies have found that a wide variety of leisure-time physical activities can provide health benefits. But these studies have largely been done in younger adults. And many did not track different levels of various types of activities.

To understand whether older adults benefit from various types of exercises, NIH researchers led by Dr. Eleanor Watts analyzed data from more than 272,000 participants in a national health survey. The participants were first surveyed in the mid-1990s. When they responded to a follow-up questionnaire between 2004 and 2005, they had an average age of 70.

The study captured information on health conditions, habits like smoking and alcohol use, socioeconomic status, and diet. It also recorded participation in seven different recreational activities. These were running or jogging, cycling (outdoors or on a stationary bike), swimming, other aerobic exercise (such as aerobics class or using exercise machines), racquet sports, golf, and walking.

The researchers examined the risk of death during the 12 years of the study. They compared reductions in that risk provided by different levels and different types of physical activity. Results were published on Aug. 24, 2022, in JAMA Network Open.

Among older adults who exercised regularly, walking was the most common activity. That was followed by other aerobic exercise, cycling, golf, swimming, running, and racquet sports. Older adults who participated in any combination of these activities but did not meet the recommendations in the physical activity guidelines had a 5% lower risk of death during the study then those who were inactive.

Those considered active — with at least the amount of aerobic activity recommended by the guidelines — had a 13% lower risk of death compared with inactive participants. Participation in racquet sports and running was associated with the greatest risk reductions, but all activities provided benefit.

The risk of death continued to decrease with additional activity beyond the recommended levels. But these returns diminished as activity increased to high and very high levels.

Running was associated with the greatest risk reduction for death from cancer. Racquet sports were associated with the greatest risk reduction for death from heart disease. However, people who got the recommended amount of exercise, regardless of activity, had a reduced risk of death from both cancer and heart disease.

“We found that all types of recreational activities that get people moving are associated with greater longevity,” Watts says. “So, the most important thing an inactive older adult can do to improve their health is find an activity that they enjoy and can stick with.”