Senior Health: When Parents Get Older

The average age of Americans continues to rise: as of July 2024, the U.S. median age hit 39.1 years, up from more than 0.6 years since 2020. According to Census, millions of Baby Boomers—an estimated 77 million born between 1946 and 1964—have now crossed into retirement age, substantially reshaping the country’s demographic profile. Meanwhile, life expectancy has rebounded: in 2023, Americans could expect to live 78.4 years at birth, up from 77.5 in 2022, and someone turning 65 in 2023 could anticipate another 19.5 years, on average. However, despite longer lives, many older adults carry health burdens rooted in lifelong habits—such as poor nutrition, sedentary behavior, and lack of regular exercise—and studies show that baby boomers are experiencing higher rates of chronic disease (like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions) than previous generations did at the same age.

As adults we no longer possess the free pass we had when we were kids. If we continue to eat high-fat and high-carbohydrate foods, we'll gain more and more weight. If we persist in viewing regular exercise as an unnecessary indulgence, we'll continue to experience high blood pressure, heart disease, and weakened immune systems. Older adults who resist the importance of good nutrition and regular exercise are also missing the thrill and sheer joy of having a vibrantly healthy, high-efficiency body. In contrast, older adults can achieve high levels of fitness, or even satisfactory levels, and feel much more youthful than they have in years.

Young adults who are the children of older adults can set a good example for fitness. Of course, this strategy is the reverse of what we're used to - our parents setting the example for us. But good examples work both ways, and smart parents may be willing to take a tip from their kids.

The first good example is regular exercise. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends 30 minutes of exercise five times per week. Most Americans do no exercise at all. Get your parents into the routine by inviting them to go for a walk or bringing them to the gym and showing them a few basic exercises. For our parents, the key is to get them started. Keep encouraging them - not as something they "should" do, but rather as something they could bring into their lives as a "choice". No one wants to do what they "should". Make it an invitation - make it fun.

Also, begin to set a good example with nutrition. Take your parents out to dinner at a healthy place - talk to them about eating smaller portions, avoiding fried and processed foods, and food combining. Food combining means eating a portion of protein and a portion of carbohydrate at every small meal. For most people, altering their food habits-of-a-lifetime is pretty radical. Help your parents learn how to take small steps in the direction of healthy nutrition, rather than attempting to change everything at once. Again, help them have fun with it. Good nutrition is a choice.

For all of us, it's important to walk the talk. Our kids - and even our parents sometimes - will mimic what we do. We want our own lifestyle choices to be healthy and life-promoting, so our kids and our parents have a good example to follow. The chiropractor at Spinal Solutions Chiropractic, Dr. Dean Hegarty, is an expert in using exercise and nutrition to help patients restore their health. He will be glad to provide valuable information on both of these topics for you and your whole family.