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Newswise — The oldest of the Baby Boomer generation will turn 60 this fall, and unlike their predecessors, they aren't afraid to visit the doctor. In fact, their interest in staying healthy coupled with their sheer numbers are taxing the health care system more than any group in history.
"The impact of the boomer generation's aging on the health care system has been referred to as an age quake because medically, it is the equivalent of a massive earthquake. The demands on the system are enormous and growing," says University of Michigan Health System family physician Lee Green, M.D., M.P.H.
Boomers have a different set of expectations for their health care than generations past. "When my grandparents reached old age, health care was something that people avoided, but boomers seek it out," Green says. "They expect to be healthy, stay healthy and be fixed when they aren't healthy. "Boomers are making more doctor visits and using a lot more prescription medications. Many of these medications are new and quite expensive, and the number of lab tests that have to be done to monitor all this is enormous."
Members of the post World War II era, born between 1945 and 1965, baby boomers represent the largest group of health care consumers in the country.
Green urges boomers to establish healthy lifestyles and receive annual health screenings.
"A large number of people are developing obesity and age-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol," Green says. "That dominates the health care system."
Prevention and screening are the most important issues for boomers, and prevention is more important, Green says. A balanced diet and daily exercise " tried and true tactics " are essential.
"Prevention is really about lifestyle," he says. "It's the 'eat your vegetables' common sense that really makes the difference in how long you live and how healthy you are getting there."
Boomers should avoid prepared, high-fat and high-salt foods, Green says. For information on a healthy diet, boomers can reference U-M Integrative Medicine's Healing Foods Pyramid at http://www.med.umich.edu/umim/clinical/pyramid/index.htm.
Physical activity is a critical, yet often neglected, part of staying healthy. At least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five times per week is recommended. Green suggests that boomers choose a physical activity that they enjoy, such as biking, water exercise or aerobics, and join a related club. Of course, any significant changes in physical activity should be discussed with your physician.
People who have no self-destructive habits, such as smoking or excessive drinking, could expect to live into their 80s, Green says. But it's never too late to begin making lifestyle changes. For example, the health benefits of quitting smoking are immediate and substantial at any age, including an almost immediate improvement in circulation and a decline in the level of carbon monoxide in the blood.
There aren't necessarily any major screening issues that begin at age 60, but people in this age group need to make physician visits every year, Green says. Those 60 and older can also work on prevention.
For example, it is possible to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, a group of symptoms involving progressive impairment of brain function.
"People who eat a healthier diet have less Alzheimer's disease," Green says.
Furthermore, patients who have lower cholesterol and a more active physical and mental lifestyle will not only stay more mentally aware, but are less likely to suffer from series of small strokes that can lead to dementia.
Boomers approaching age 50 have more time to begin prevention measures, if they haven't already.
"Age 50 is where breast cancer screening really becomes important," Green says. Women should get annual mammograms at age 50 and beyond.
Screening for bowel cancer, which is less talked-about but can be cured if caught early, should begin at age 50.
The American Cancer Society recommends screening tests annually beginning at age 50 to men who have a life expectancy of at least 10 years. Men at high risk should begin testing at age 45. Prior to testing, men should have an opportunity to learn about the benefits and limitations of testing, for early prostate cancer detection and treatment. Because the usefulness of breast and bowel cancer screenings is clear, Green advises that people pay most attention to these and other screenings that are recommended based on their family history and risk-factors such as ethnic background.
At the back end of the baby boom population is the group turning 40 this year. Women in this age group should start thinking about getting a baseline mammogram. Exercise, too, plays a more important role.
"A change in thinking needs to happen around age 40 about exercise," Green says. "When you're past 40, exercise is no longer a recreational pursuit; it's part of your health and needs to be thought of as that kind of priority."
Vaccinations for adults are important, as well, especially for people in their 50s, Green says.
"The vaccine to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia is generally of benefit at age 55 or older. Another good reason to be seen annually is to get the flu shot," he says, noting that tetanus shots should also be updated every 10 years.
Even with today's continuously advancing medical technology, there is no miracle pill one can take that will counteract the effects of human aging. A baby boomer's best defense against time may quite literally be a good offense.
"Primary prevention, meaning taking steps to not get the disease, is truly the best treatment," Green says, "The most important thing for baby boomers or anyone else who hopes to live to a healthy old age is to establish a healthy lifestyle and live that lifestyle into old age."
Many baby boomers are interested in ideas such as the whole-body CAT scan to serve as a screening technique. According to Green, these are just "unfortunate distractions."
"CAT scans are fashionable, CAT scans are fancy, but vegetables will make you live longer," he says.
Tips:"¢Learn your family's medical history and discuss it with your physician."¢Know your personal medical history and keep a record of all medications, immunizations, shots, hospital visits and surgeries."¢Try to get 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity at least five days per week."¢Choose a physical activity that you enjoy doing, such as biking, water exercise or aerobics, and join a related club. Note: Discuss significant changes in physical activity with your physician."¢Eat lots of whole grains, vegetables and fruits, while avoiding prepared, high-fat and high-salt foods."¢Get routine medical exams and the screenings recommended for a person of your age, sex and medical history."¢Prepare for visits to the doctor by writing down questions you have and recording details about your symptoms."¢If your health plan offers them, take classes on quitting smoking, nutrition, exercise and stress reduction. Support groups or counseling may also be available.
For more information, visit these Web sites:
U-M Health Topics A-Z
Colonoscopy informationhttp://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/umcolon.htm
Mammogramshttp://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/learn/mammogram.htm
University of Michigan Integrative Medicine's Healing Foods pyramidhttp://www.med.umich.edu/umim/clinical/pyramid/index.htm
Eating Healthy Snackshttp://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_snack_sma.htm
Eating Foods Low in Salthttp://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_svhpt-na_car.htm
Diabetes: Food Managementhttp://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_diabfooa_crs.htm
Exercise: It's never too late to improve your fitnesshttp://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2004/hmelderly.htm
Memory and Aginghttp://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/ummemory.htm
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