Aging Well, Living Well

By Kim Asche
University of Minnesota Extension

Americans are living longer than ever before and many seniors are living active, healthy and productive lives. A woman who is 65 today can expect to live, on average, another 19 years to age 84. Many of you are using this extra time volunteering in your communities, traveling and spending more time with family and friends. Taking good care of your body and mind will help you enjoy your golden years.

Key health issues for older women include cardiovascular disease (such as heart disease and stroke), cancer and mental health disorders.

The medical community has focused a great deal of attention on health issues facing older women in recent years. More older women are being represented in medical research studies such as the Women's Health Initiative, which included over 150,000 post-menopausal women. Such research has helped health care providers learn much about menopause, osteoporosis, heart disease and other conditions that are important to women. More research has also been done on the prevention of breast, cervical and colorectal cancer.

Older women still have higher rates of disability than men of the same age, not because more women develop disabilities than men, but rather women with disabilities survive longer than men. Taking good care of yourself, including eating foods high in calcium for strong bones, can lower your chances of becoming disabled. Women also tend to be more vulnerable to poverty and isolation than men of the same age, despite government programs, improved pensions and the fact that more women than ever before are working. Planning for your future can ensure you have the resources needed to enjoy your retirement.

Health disparities exist for older minority women as well. Even though these women have many of the same health problems as older white women, they are in poorer health and use fewer health services. They continue to suffer more from early death, disease and disabilities. Many also face huge social, economic and cultural barriers to having life-long good health. President George Bush and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, have made closing the gap in health disparities a top priority for our nation.

By educating yourself about common health problems and services available you can overcome many of these barriers. Leading an active and healthy lifestyle can help you reduce health risks and live life to the fullest. For additional information visit www.womenshealth.gov.

(Kim Asche is a health educator at the University of Minnesota Extension Regional Center, Hutchinson. She can be contacted at (888) 241-3207, (320) 234-0431 or by email at asche008@umn.edu.)