There has been a shift in the approach to healthcare overall for the aging population. Instead of treating specific symptoms of diseases, physicians are beginning to shift their focus to the benefits of treating the whole body for health optimization through integrated health care.
Integrated healthcare is a continuous line of communication among all medical providers to allow for a more well rounded treatment for patients. Focusing on the whole body at once instead of a few aspects at a time helps to create a more well rounded treatment approach.
Integrated healthcare is essential for the aging body because there are many aspects of the body that naturally deteriorate with time. Its purpose is to address the biological, psychological, and social needs of a patient while working with the patients physicians, nurses, and psychologists to find a well rounded body of health.
Biological Healthcare
Common biological problems that happen as the body ages are: osteoporosis, arthritis, digestive problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, bladder, and urinary tract issues. An additional surprising healthcare issue that baby boomers are running into are STDs and how to care for them.
To help relieve the symptoms that come from these common yet uncomfortable health issues, it is suggested that patients focus on what is within their control, and utilize proper medical supplies to reduce health issue symptoms.
Diet
A healthy diet is essential to keeping uncomfortable symptoms from ailments at bay. Focusing on a diet rich in foods like fish, soy, olive oil, cherries, broccoli, nuts, garlic, beans, citrus fruits, and grains can help decrease the overall inflammation in the body and help alleviate some of the pain associated with degenerative diseases. Make sure that you are getting adequate water intake throughout each day to help flush toxins that accumulate in the body from conditions like arthritis and high blood pressure.
Exercise
With all the ailments mentioned, exercise is an essential tool to keeping symptoms suppressed. Increasing physical activity like walking, jogging, and lifting light weights can help to slow and prevent bone loss in those suffering with osteoporosis; 30 minutes daily of moderate intensity exercise can help to alleviate the pain from arthritis and other degenerative health concerns.
Psychological Healthcare
Depression is the most common illness among the aging population. Luckily the stigma surrounding mental health has begun to diminish in our country. This has helped to increase the resources available to those suffering with mental health issues. Since mental health and overall happiness can decline with age, it is important that it is addressed with all physicians involved in your healthcare circle.
Tools for Psychological Health
There are many tools and techniques used by healthcare professionals that help to enhance the overall mental health of patients. These techniques include cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, stress relieving skills, and coping skills. With the help of physicians and psychologists through an integrated health care plan, a patient can more easily identify what is going on with them and validate feelings of concerns they have.
Stay Mentally Active
Continuous mental stimulation helps keep your brain in shape, just like working out helps keep your body in shape. Challenging your brain with things like crossword puzzles, computer games, and riddles can help keep the memory sharp and can help keep brain degeneration away.
Social Healthcare
Staying socially active is an important aspect of integrated healthcare. Keeping a connection with those around you who matter is important because it helps keep mental illness and physical illness at bay. Regular social interaction helps ward off depression and helps deal with stress.
Keep in contact
Look for opportunities to get together and keep connections with loved ones, friends and others. Making it a point to keep a social schedule is essential to cultivating a successful social health.
Make New Friends
If you’re up for the challenge, one of the best ways to stay socially active is to join a gym. Becoming a member allows you to socially engage with others while keeping up with a great physical regimen. Talk about two birds with one stone!
If the gym seems a little intimidating, consider visiting a senior center. Contact the organization in advance to learn about the scheduled activities they offer and to see if they allow visitors to attend them. This will help you meet like-minded individuals in a stable and comfortable environment.
Volunteer
For those looking to do something more meaningful, look for opportunities to volunteer in your community. Look for volunteer opportunities at local schools, veterans hospitals and religious institutions. Helping others can keep your self esteem up, and interacting with young people can help keep your mind sharp and active.
Taking care of the body and the mind through an integrated health care program can help create a more effective treatment plan for patients, as well as a greater understanding of care for physicians.
Brooke Faulkner is a senior rights advocate and mother of two in the Pacific Northwest. She loves spending time with friends and family at the assisted living facility near her home, and has collected more stories there than she can count.
