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Hernando Today

Live Longer: Practice Standing On One Foot

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by ADON TAFT

Life to the Fullest

Published: June 2, 2008

Hardly anyone would question the need for at least some reform in the nation's entire health care system, not just Medicare and Medicaid. But at least those two government or quasi-government programs should be overhauled by the next administration if they are to remain solvent for the baby-boom generation and beyond.
Speaking at the recent Aging in America conference of the National Council on Aging (NCA) and the American Society on Aging (ASA) in Washington, D.C., Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Polls organization, predicted some changes as early as 2009 or as late as 2017. He said the result will be a pluralistic, multi-payer system with government, individuals and employers all paying "a lot," according to a report by Paul Kleyman in the current issue of Aging Today, the bi-monthly publication of the ASA.
The complicated, multi-tiered system will provide wider — but not universal — coverage with more options for the more affluent, a modest safety net for those in lower economic brackets, incentives for providers to give quality care at reasonable costs, tougher price pressures and possibly controls, Taylor forecasted.
No changes will satisfy everyone, Taylor said, since polling shows most people hold conflicting views of what they want in the system. While two out of three people think "it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure everyone has health insurance," few want to pay higher taxes to provide it and half of them prefer coverage through private insurance.
Polls also show that people don't want to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for health care, have qualms about any system requiring bigger government, dislike rationing or a lower quality of medical services, reject fewer choices in health care and have concerns about any change in approach that might damage the economy or increase unemployment, Taylor said.
It's no wonder politicians are reluctant to propose any reforms, no matter how badly they are needed.
The same issue of Aging Today devotes its "Focus" section to brain health. Much has been learned about the subject in the past decade. Perhaps the most important discovery is that there are quite a few things that can be done to maintain or improve the brain and many of its functions. This is especially good news for older people who often feel helpless in the face of Alzheimer's disease or other dementia-like maladies.
Surprisingly, some would say, the best medicine for the brain is aerobic exercise. At least an hour of such exercise three times a week can add as much as 10 years to the memory and cognitive skills, much research suggests.
In tests, exercise of those skills themselves by engaging in learning activities is emerging as a major factor in delaying or slowing the progress of degeneration of the brain. Among the activities that are helpful are reading, doing word puzzles, solving pattern problems, playing a musical instrument, learning dance steps, playing board games and — the latest — using a computer.
Diet also plays a part, the scientists say. The important ingredients seem to be: omega-3 fatty acids found in such things as walnuts, salmon, soy beans or halibut; berries; and folic acid supplements.
One more ingredient in brain health is participation in at least five social activities such as being part of a church group, family relationships and visiting with friends in person or by phone.
A final health note for seniors:
Since one in every three adults age 65 or older falls each year and falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among that group and half of all older adults hospitalized for hip fractures cannot return home or live independently after their injuries, there is a simple exercise to help develop balance and lower the likelihood of falling. It is just to practice standing on one foot.

If you have questions about any issues connected with aging, except medical conditions, please write to Life to the Fullest, Hernando Today, 15299 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, Fla. 34613, or send e-mail to adontaft@yahoo.com. Please include your name and address.

Adon Taft is a resident of Brooksville.

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