08
Nov
Baby Boomers are advised to stay active to promote mental and physical health
The 75 million American children were born between 1945 and 1964, known as baby boomers, are quickly reaching retirement age, which brings with it a new set of medical problems.
These boomers will, if they have not already, start to seek out doctors who specialize in geriatrics.
"Geriatrics is a discipline of the care of people who are typically over the age of 65," Dr. Howard Baker, MD, selected as a Chicago Top Doctor by TopTierMD as a top rated specialist in internal medicine in Chicago, said. "That age, however, is not set in stone and I do see patients who are in their 40s and 50s.
"Geriatrics, like pediatrics, has its own set of issues. People have different diseases and problems as they age, which means we're working against those problems while dealing with social issues and other processes that occur as people age.
"I have two patients who are 102 years old, and one of them is extremely functional. I have several patients in their 90’s who are in excellent health as well. But I also have people in their 40’s who are not in good shape. I have a couple of young patients who have been ravaged by diabetes. One is blind, one is on dialysis. The disease has really affected them. Their bodies are probably much older than their chronological age."
Dr. Baker says that one issue while treating older patients is their perception and expectations of what they should or should not be able to do.
"Younger geriatric patients, because their contemporaries are out doing things, have to be approached differently than older patients," Dr. Baker said. "Because of such issues, I'm not only taking care of physical needs but also of social and mental ones as well."
To keep healthy while growing older, Dr. Baker says that staying active is important.
"It's quite simple," Dr. Baker says. "A reasonably health lifestyle with a modicum of exercise and watching what you eat makes a lot of difference. It's also important to stay mentally engaged and to maintain active mental health. If you watch yourself and take care of yourself, it usually pays off."
Dr. Baker says that, as people grow older, they need to make sure that they do not cut themselves off from the world.
"Engage people," Dr. Baker says. "Be social. Go out. Read. Participate in life. If you like to go to movies, go see shows. Read the newspaper or read books, but also engage with other individuals. Most of us are social creatures and we need that interaction.
"Mental health is probably as important as physical health, but it's hard to prove these things. You exercise your body to keep in shape, you should exercise your mind as well."
Dr. Howard Baker, MD, was selected by TopTierMD as a Chicago Top Doctor and is considered Best in Internal Medicine in Chicago. He specializes in geriatrics and general internal medicine.
