Dealing with Old Age: FDA Supplements & Reports | NY Times

[BillTre]

This NY Times article discusses:
an FDA crackdown of supplements intended to prevent things like dementia (they don't do much of anything)
as well as discussing the results of two reports about simple actions individuals can take that (unlike supplements) might have positive effects.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in 2017 recommended:

• Increased physical activity;
• Blood pressure management for people with hypertension, particularly in midlife;
• And cognitive training (the concept of being mentally active)

The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care also recommended:

• hypertension treatment for the middle-aged,
• along with exercise,
• social engagement
• smoking cessation
• management of obesity
• diabetes
• hearing loss
• depression

 

[Vanadium 50]

They recommend diabetes, hearing loss and depression? Wow...someone forgot to take their supplements!

 

[Wrichik Basu]

They recommend diabetes, hearing loss and depression? Wow...someone forgot to take their supplements!

Good catch

 

[gleem]

I had a friend die of dementia a few years ago. Very active, engaging sportsman, seemingly good health. One day while fishing with some friends in a familiar area he indicated he did not know where he was. About three years later he died. That is one disease as well as a stroke that I am most concerned about if it makes any sense to be concerned about something that you may not have any control over. .

I think I am close to being the oldest on this forum. so this subject often pops into my mind. I am not so much interested in longevity but more in the quality of my remaining years. My health is good so far, no meds, BP is normal for my age.and never smoked. I believe as stated above that physical activity, social engagement, and being mentally active (think Physics Forum) are very important in staving off health issues with physical activity probably being the most important.. Regarding physical activity we think in terms of aerobic or strength exercises which of course are important but I would also include flexibility exercises, as tightness in the joints has a fast onset when you stop moving which causes you to restrict your motions more and downgrades the quality of your activity.

I hedge my bets a little by taking a multi vitamin about three times a week. Old people don't seem to absorb those things as well as they use to. Can't hurt. Keep your weight in control, Eat healthy, keep moving. Maintain a positive attitude.. Keep excited about what you are doing. Remain relevant.

 

[Astronuc]

My mom has frontal lobe dementia. She turned 88 this past January.

I saw her three weeks ago, and she did not recognize me as her son. She kept asking dad and my sister-in-law for my name. She and dad are essentially housebound, since she can barely walk. She has to use a walker, but sometimes, she gets away from it. Sometimes dad puts it out of her reach, and apparently she fell three times last week trying to walk without the walker. This last visit is probably the last time I will see her alive.

Dad will turn 90 later this year. He is still mentally sharp, but caring for mom is taking a toll on him, and he is slowly losing his sight to macular degeneration.

 

[davenn]

This last visit is probably the last time I will see her alive.

Ohhh man

I so know that feeling. I got back from New Zealand last weekend. Apart from catching up with kids and granddaughter, the main point of the trip was to see mom and dad. It was his 90th birthday. they are both a lot frailer than when I saw them last, a couple of years ago. My mom is going downhill reasonably quickly also after 2 falls which has quickened the onset of dementia ( hard head hits in both falls).

This last visit is probably the last time I will see her alive.

Exact same position it brings me to tears just typing this. Bawled my eyes out as I drove out of the driveway

Dad will turn 90 later this year. He is still mentally sharp, but caring for mom is taking a toll on him

Dad was 90 on 17 Mar. a St Paddy's lad and yes he's still pretty good mentally, has been a little forgetful for years haha. Mom is 89 in late June this year. Her nite-time episodes are taking a serious toll on dads health. Just wearing him out with the broken nite's sleep and the stress

They are both still living at home with very good daytime home care visits to help with checking on medicine taking, showering and other general household chores. But it is these nite-time problems that are causing the real issues. My sister and brother have been trying to find a decent aged care facility to get them into but there's huge waiting lists etc.

My thoughts go out to you, mateDave