3 Important Health Topics for Seniors this Health Literacy Month

October is Health Literacy Month. Aging changes your body, so we can all count on changing health needs as we get older. The more you know about how age affects your health, the more you can do to stay strong and independent. For 25 years, Health Literacy Month has highlighted the importance of working together to expand our awareness of health issues and solutions.

October is also a month in which we zero in on specific health issues such as breast cancer, bone and joint health, and physical therapy. Each of these areas has extra significance for seniors, so let’s take a closer look at them to further health literacy this month.

Breast Cancer

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year more than 360,000 women (and men) will be diagnosed with this disease. Unfortunately, risk increases with age for many types of cancer, but advanced diagnostic and treatment protocols are enhancing lifestyle and longevity for seniors with cancer. Early diagnosis is critical to assure the best possible outcome, so women should discuss family history and recommended mammogram frequency with their doctor.

Bone and Joint Health

We are observing Bone and Joint Health National Action Week from October 12-18 this year. Arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, and joint damage are all musculoskeletal conditions well-known to older adults. Aging can weaken bones and muscles, leading to weakness and changes in posture and how you walk.

In healthy adults, movement is a well-coordinated team effort. The skeleton is responsible for structural support. Joints enable the skeleton to flex at certain points so the body can move in myriad ways. Cartilage, synovial membranes, and fluid in and around the joints provide protective cushioning. Muscles power the skeleton and joints. As bones, joints, or muscles change, that can affect overall physical function. For example:

• Osteoporosis (loss of bone mass and density) increases risk of breaking bones.
• Weakened muscles can cause reduced stamina, fatigue, and general weakness.
• Joints may feel mildly stiff or develop debilitating osteoarthritis.
• Risk of injury from falls increases with greater instability and loss of balance.

What can you do?

• Moderate exercise keeps muscles, joints, and bones working, to maintain muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and strong bones.
• A healthy, well-balanced diet that includes sufficient calcium and vitamin D is especially important for women.

Physical Therapy

October is also National Physical Therapy Month. Physical therapy is often required to fully recover from an accident, injury, stroke, heart attack, or surgery. In most cases, the need for this extended senior rehabilitation care is temporary – designed to ensure that individuals are at maximum physical function when they return home. Rehabilitation may include:

• Physical therapy to rebuild muscle strength, range of motion, and restore balance
• Occupational therapy to build confidence in performing activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, and eating
• Speech-language therapy to restore or improve ability to swallow and speak
• Skilled nursing care when medically necessary follow-up includes wound care, medication administration, and so on.

Effective, caring rehabilitation can make all the difference in helping seniors retain healthy function and independence. It can promote faster healing and return to prior mobility levels, reduce pain and stress, and boost self-confidence.

Magnolia Manor offers onsite senior rehabilitation programs at four of our South Georgia communities:

• Americus – Magnolia Manor Nursing Center Subacute Rehabilitation is our flagship program, where cutting-edge technology enables us to offer enhanced, highly-personalized treatment for patients who need greater support or stabilization as they progress
• Buena Vista
• Columbus East

Health Literacy Leads to Healthy Lifestyle

Rehabilitation care is just one of the ways in which Magnolia Manor senior living communities help residents stay healthy in body, mind, and spirit. Our rehab services are available to non-residents and are typically short-term. But the Magnolia Manor experience is so exceptional that patients from outside often decide to become permanent residents.

It’s easy to learn more about short-term senior rehabilitation care or carefree, full-time residential living at Magnolia Manor. Just contact us online or call one of our eight South Georgia campuses directly.