Older Adults Who Are Athletes

Photo of Jack LaLanne by nathancremisino

Too often, the general population defines older adults by their limitations.  While it is true that as a group, older adults accrue more physical limitations as they age, it is still possible to maintain an active lifestyle.   Even though biology seems like destiny, people have a lot of control over their fitness through lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, smoking cessation and stress management.

Recently, the media has made much of Dara Torres, Olympic Swimmer, who was born April 15, 1967.  Not all older athletes are professionals.  Many of the Baby Boomers are redefining late adulthood as an era of active aging. Publications such as Sports Geezer and online sources such as the sports section of The Senior Journal attest to an increase of amateur athletes.

For those who are more serious about their fitness, they have the opportunity to compete in organizations specifically for higher age brackets such as the Master Athletes competitions and  National Senior Games (NSG). Here is a trailer for the documentary, Age of Champions, featuring athletes competing in the NSG:

What follows is a list of older athletes (organized by date of birth).

Missing Personal Items: Lost or Stolen?

Photo by Natalie Barletta

Over the last year, I have been making weekly visits to a skilled nursing center to check on one of my friends.  All too often, she tells me that she’s missing a personal item: lipstick, magazines, television remote, eye glasses, clothing, etc.  Most upsetting was the loss of her new winter coat less than a week after she received it as a Christmas gift.  Most of these items were not marked with the owner's name. 

Because I am not there 24/7, I am not sure how these items go missing.  My friend has cognition problems, so I suspect that some of these items are merely misplaced.  Places I regularly check for items:

• In the bedding
• Under the bed, dresser, vanity or nightstand
• In the pocket of a sweater or coat
• In a purse that is seldom used
• On the floor of the closet
• Within the wheelchair in which she is sitting

Also, some of the other residents also have cognition problems, so they may pick them up innocently.   Also, some of the items never were marked with pen or engraved.  Staff members struggle to direct items to the correct resident if they are not marked.

Most unsettling is the possibility that items have been stolen—either by another resident who knowingly took them, by a visitor, by regular staff, or by one of the many visiting professionals.

Age-Related Risks for Dehydration

Photo by Bergius

Now that the weather is turning warmer, it’s a good time to review the problem of dehydration in older adults. Briefly, older adults have more physical, mental and mobility problems with keeping hydrated.  This can cause a series of negative outcomes ranging from mild (dry mouth) to serious (renal failure).  

In order to prevent dehydration, older adults need to drink frequently, eat foods high in water content, adjust their water intake if their medications have a diuretic effect, and receive assistance if they have mobility problems that make fluid intake a challenge. 

Now let’s slow down and look at dehydration piece by piece.

Older adults can suffer dehydration for one or more of the following causes: physical changes, diet & medication changes, psychological changes.