Health, Aging & Wellness Older Adults Describe Their Health (continued from page 11)
In a phone conversation, Benyamini offered two explanations for this finding, which has been widely replicated: For one, people may be acutely attuned to subtle changes in their bodies, like increased pain or fatigue, that end up being significant but may be hard for doctors to detect. Also, people may factor in how multiple medical conditions interact and affect them — something that medical tests don’t pick up. “Say you have diabetes, angina and osteoarthritis. How does this affect your life? It’s very individual — no one can tell from the outside — and it’s hard to put your finger on as a physician,” Benyamini said. Another possible explanation is that people who feel healthy are more likely to be active and take care of themselves, making it likely they’ll survive longer, Benyamini said. Positivity Isn’t Universal Of course, this positivity isn’t universal. African Americans, Hispanics, people with
lower levels of income and education and individuals with poor social connections are more likely to rate their health nega- tively as they age. At younger ages, women rate their health more poorly than men, but this changes in later life, with men becoming more likely to report worse health and women becoming more optimistic. Sometimes, surveys assess self-rated mental health separately, and results for older adults again overturn common assumptions about negativity associated with older age. The National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, spearheaded by investigators at the University of Chicago, found that fewer than 1% of adults (ages 57 to 97) rated their mental health as poor; just under 8% considered it fair; nearly 23% thought it was good; nearly 41% believed it was very good and 28% judged it excellent. This data, based on a representative sample of 3,101 individuals surveyed in 2015, was provided upon request and has not yet been published.
“Mental health becomes an even more important component of self-rated health with age,” Schnittker said. Depression, in particular, appears to be a negative influence, affecting how people view their circumstances. Although Laurie Brock, 69, of Denver, has severe arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, she considers her health “very good” and credits her optimism, her close relationships and her “extremely active life.” Poor health would mean being bedridden, “not being able to go out or be as mobile as I am” or extended suffering, she said. “My attitude now is ‘I’ve lived [nearly] 70 good years, and I hope the next years are rich as well,” Brock said. “I think most people fear old age. But once they get there, it’s like, ‘Oh, I’m still going, I’m still OK.’ And fear becomes acceptance.” Source: By Judith Graham, June 26. 2019 reprinted with permission by Kaiser Health News and Next Avenue.
Tuesdays, Sept. 10 – Nov. 19 1:30 – 3:00 pm (There will not be a class on Tues., Oct. 29) The Aging Mastery Program® (AMP) classes
Registration is payable in advance for all 10 weeks of the program. Limited spots available: Sign up now! Fee: Registration fee is $99 per person Location: Casas Adobes Congregational Church 6801 N. Oracle Rd. A comprehensive approach to aging well. The program combines classes with expert speakers, group discussion and goal setting to help you gain new skills to make small meaningful changes in your life. Join the adventure! • Navigating Longer Lives • Exercise and You • Sleep • Advance Planning • Fall Prevention • Medication Management • Healthy Eating and Hydration • Financial Fitness • Community Engagement• Healthy Relationships Classes will explore: For more information and to REGISTER, call Pima Council on Aging, 520-305-3409 ©2014 National Council on Aging.All Rights Reserved.
Page 12 | September 2019, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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