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Aging Gracefully:How to Maintain Your

Health & Vigor After 50

Presented by CIGNA Employee Assistance Program

Seminar Goals

■ Debunk some common myths about getting older

■ Learn about the changes in our bodies and our lives that typically occur with aging

■ Learn ways you can slow the aging process, and maintain your health and vigor as long as possible

■ Know the benefits of your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

What Changes Occur As We Age?

■ Physical appearance

■ Physiological changes

■ Sensory changes

■ Cognitive changes

■ Personality and lifestyle changes

■ Positive changes

Changes in Physical Appearance

■ Skin loses underlying fat layers and oil glands, causing reducedelasticity and wrinkles

■ Age spots are caused by deposits of melanin

■ Hair loses its pigmentation and turns white (though it looks gray at first)

■ Muscle strength and tone diminish, and muscles start to sag, especially for those who don’t exercise

Physiological Changes

■ Decreased bone mass

■ Wear and tear on joints

■ Reduced capacity of heart and lungs to get blood and oxygen to the rest of the body results in reduced physical endurance

■ Arteries become less elastic, causing the heart to have to work harder

■ Loss of muscle, increase of fat, means we burn fewer calories

Sensory Changes

■ Changes in sight

– Difficulty focusing close up usually begins in 40s

– Increased susceptibility to glare after 50

– Difficulty seeing in low light after 50

■ Changes in hearing

– Decreased ability to hear high frequency tones

– Decreased ability to discriminate similar pitches

■ Slight reduction in ability to distinguish certain flavors and smells

■ Reduced sensitivity to touch and perception of pain

Cognitive Changes

■ Reduced efficiency of nerve transmission in the brain results inslower information processing

■ Memory is less efficient, especially for recent events, which also slows learning

■ Most people experience no functional impairment despite these changes, due to the brain’s resiliency and ability to compensate for limitations

■ Greater experience-based knowledge, better judgment, and improved ability to handle familiar tasks

Personality Changes

■ Basic personality traits usually remain stable throughout adulthood, but…

■ Increased focus on one’s inner life

■ Men and women become more similar in terms of values and personal styles

■ Greater inter-individual differences, or individuation

Positive Changes

■ We understand ourselves better

■ We express ourselves more openly and authentically

■ We care less what other people think

■ Our capacity to love may increase

■ We are able to let go of unrealistic expectations, and relax

■ We become wiser and “know a lot more stuff”

Factors That Can Affect Aging

■ Exercise/physical activity

■ Diet

■ Weight

■ Smoking

■ Alcohol and drug abuse

■ Stress

■ Sleep

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

■ The benefits of exercise

■ Aerobic exercise

■ Muscle strengthening

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

■ Stretching and warming up

■ General level of physical activity

Diet Matters

■ Why? What? How?

■ New food pyramid at www.mypyramid.gov

■ Changes from earlier food pyramid

Diet Matters

■ Changes from earlier food pyramid (continued)

■ One size doesn’t fit all: age, sex, activity level

Weight Management

■ The costs of being overweight or obese

■ Weight management vs. weight loss

■ The problem with dieting

■ Eating for weight management

Weight Management

■ Physical activity is key to success

■ Setting realistic goals

Additional Strategies for Staying Well After 50■ Don’t smoke or use tobacco products

■ Don’t abuse alcohol

■ Get plenty of sleep

Additional Strategies for Staying Well After 50 (continued)■ Get regular medical check-ups

■ Consider vitamin and mineral supplements

■ Protect your skin and eyes from the sun’s rays

■ Avoid loud noise or protect your ears

■ Learn to manage stress

Additional Strategies for Staying Well After 50 (continued)■ Stay involved with people

■ Get your “mental exercise”

■ Mind over matter

Benefits of the EAP

■ Face to Face Sessions

■ Confidential

■ Prepaid

■ Unlimited Telephonic consultation

■ Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

■ Household benefit

■ Work/Life Support such as eldercare, childcare and pet care.

■ Financial Services

■ Legal Services

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