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Promoting
Healthy Lifestyles
“We are encouraging Americans of all ages to live healthier
lives. Healthy living can prevent diseases and certain disabilities,
and it can ensure that today’s older persons – as
well as future generations – not only live longer, but
also better.”
-Josefina G. Carbonell
Great improvements in medicine, public health, science, and
technology have enabled today’s older Americans to live
longer and healthier lives than previous generations. Older adults
want to remain healthy and independent at home in their communities.
Society wants to minimize the health care and economic costs
associated with an increasing older population. The science of
aging indicates that chronic disease and disability are not inevitable.
As a result, health promotion and disease prevention activities
and programs are an increasing priority for older adults, their
families, and the health care system.
Many Americans fail to make the connection between undertaking
healthy behaviors today and the impact of these choices later
in life. Studies by the National Institute of Aging indicate
that healthy eating, physical activity, mental stimulation, not
smoking, active social engagement, moderate use of alcohol, maintaining
a safe environment, social support, and regular health care are
important in maintaining health and independence.
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