Cass Regional Medical Center | Wellness Matters | Fall 2017

? 6 4 5 numbers to know 23.5 % The percentage of adults 65 and older who volunteer their time. Corporation for National and Community Service 78 % The percentage of American men and women 65 and older who rate their health as good, very good or excellent. Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics 15 % The percentage of the U.S. population that is 65 or older. That number is projected to jump to nearly 21 percent by 2030. Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics Read any good books lately? In general, Americans 65 and older spend more time reading for leisure than do those under 65. Adults 75 and older are the biggest readers: They spend more than an hour a day reading. Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics Wellness Matters | Fall 2017 5 Don’t skimp on sleep. It’s a myth that older people need less shut-eye than younger ones. New recommendations from the National Sleep Foundation advise seven to eight hours of sleep nightly. If you’re getting that much and are still groggy during the day, tell your doctor. You may have a disorder called sleep apnea. People that have it briefly stop breathing throughout the night. Left untreated, it can raise your risk of heart disease. Stay involved. Studies show that older adults who participate in meaningful activities, such as volunteering, report fewer health problems than less involved adults. They also report feeling happier. Simply having a hobby— whether that’s reading or working in a garden—also lowers your risk of dementia. And taking part in social activities and connecting with others may help you live longer. Sources: American Geriatric Society; National Institute on Aging; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Mind your medicines. The older you are—and the more medicines you take—the more likely you are to experience side effects. And that’s true even if you only take over-the-counter drugs. Stay safe by getting regular medication checkups. When you visit your doctor, show up with all the medicines (prescription and over- the-counter), supplements and herbal drugs you take. Your doctor can review them to make sure they don’t interact in harmful ways.