People should use “old-fashioned” methods to stay healthy as they age because illness is not inevitable, Britain’s oldest doctor has said.
Professor Sir Chris Whitty urged people to take responsibility for their own health through good diet and exercise, and called on the Government to do more to make healthy living the norm.
People are living longer and by 2050 a quarter of the UK population will be over 65.
But it should not be assumed that these extra years will be spent in poor health, in a care home or on a cocktail of debilitating drugs, Sir Chris added.
He advised people to talk to their family and doctor about how they will die and how aggressive treatment should be if they do get sick – and said older people might be able to enjoy a better quality of life if they cut back on the number of pills. halved. You take
Professor Sir Chris Whitty urged people to take responsibility for their own health through good diet and exercise, and called on the Government to do more to make healthy living the norm. When he published his annual report, “Health in an Aging Society,” he suggested that people should turn to methods known to work, such as exercise and mental stimulation.
Sir Chris (pictured) also advised people to talk to their family and doctor about how they prefer to die and how aggressive treatment should be if they do get sick – saying older people may be better off They can enjoy quality of life if they cut the death rate in half for the number of pills they took
Research shows that people become less active as they get older: A third of people aged 75 to 85 and 57 percent of people aged 85 and over are physically inactive.
In his annual report, Health in an Aging Society, Sir Chris said smoking rates are falling and alcohol consumption is falling in some groups, but “obesity is going in the wrong direction”.
He suggested that people should use methods that are known to work. He said: “There are many things people can do themselves to delay the point at which they develop first disability and then multimorbidity.”
“Actually, it’s old-fashioned stuff.”
“Lots of exercise, mental stimulation and a social network, a fairly balanced diet (with) not too much fat, sugar and salt, moderate alcohol consumption, quit smoking if you do – it’s good old-fashioned stuff, but. “They still work.”
Read more: A fairway to keep your brain sharp! Research shows that playing golf as you age can increase your mental agility and prevent dementia caused by long walks between holes
He said participating in physical activity as long as possible has a “huge positive impact on physical and mental health in old age”, while eating lots of fruit and vegetables can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and chronic heart disease and stroke. reduce.
The report points to increasing availability of foods high in fat, salt and sugar, with takeaways, for example, selling “large portion sizes of high-calorie foods”.
Government measures could include changing these environments, limiting advertising of products high in fat, salt and sugar and using the planning system “to limit the concentration of hot takeaways in one area”.
Elsewhere in the report, Sir Chris said older people could be robbed of their independence and end up in care if homes, public buildings and cities were poorly planned.
He said it was “extremely difficult to be a parent in many parts of the country” because homes were now being built “for young families” rather than older people.
At a press conference yesterday, he also pointed out that too many people are left with no choice when it comes to life-prolonging treatments, even if they feel it is not in their best interests.
Sir Chris suggested art galleries and libraries could have grab bars or ramps to make it easier for people to get around, while pavements and cycle paths should be accessible with a flat surface “because the main thing people want is independence”. .
It continued: “Residential homes for older people should be built in places where they can easily and safely reach the daily shops and services they need, preferably by active means of transport (walking or cycling) in order to help maintain their physical health. “
“Public spaces and green spaces must be designed to meet the needs of older people, including those with sensory and physical disabilities.”
Sir Chris pointed out that too many people are left with no choice when it comes to life-prolonging treatments because they feel it is not in their best interests.
He said: “Prolonging life may or may not be the right thing to do and the key question should be: ‘What does the patient want?’ and this question must be asked.
“For example, many people are admitted to hospital in the middle of the night simply because no one knows what they want.”
Examples of such treatment may include major surgery, chemotherapy, or continuation of medications that have side effects and whose main purpose is to prolong life, or repeated hospitalizations.
Sir Chris added: “Geriatricians are often very good at meeting a person who is on 25 medications, going through that and saying, ‘Actually, you don’t need at least half of that.’ At this point in your life it won’t help you; the sum of the side effects will be quite problematic.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
