Health is a condition of mind and physical well-being where infirmity and illness are absent. Various definitions have been applied over the years for different purposes. Some health practitioners believe that we are healthy when we are content with our selves, when we accept ourselves as we are and have an understanding that others have the same or different qualities. On the other hand, others believe that healthy people are happy and active members of their communities. The best definition of health is: being well balanced, relating to others as humans and having good health. This is the standard that society has used since time immemorial to determine the value and quality of life.
Unfortunately, many people fall below this ideal and therefore do not enjoy the full benefits of living a healthy life course. This is particularly the case for older adults who experience long-term health problems. In order to help them maintain a healthy life course, public health agencies have developed programs designed to make older adults feel better about themselves. These programs may include community participation and self-help groups.
It is important for older adults to understand the consequences of their lifestyle, as they age, and how this affects their future health and their ability to cope with diseases and other issues that they might encounter. They need to take an active role in managing disease through a life course that includes regular checkups with doctors and specialists. Managing disease means being proactive and keeping abreast of medical developments and improvements in the medical world. It also means that the older adult must develop the capacity for self-care as they age and come into contact with more complex and challenging people in their daily lives.
One of the challenges for older adults with poor health is depression. Depression can lead to serious health problems such as sleep deprivation, fatigue and low energy levels. Sleep deprivation makes a person more susceptible to illness, as well as it lowers their productivity and causes changes in their emotions that can lead to illness. It is therefore imperative that older adults to develop healthy habits that can include getting plenty of sleep every night and maintaining a positive mental attitude.
Managing chronic diseases and conditions that affect the immune system is another important factor in maintaining good health status. For this, they need to be well-informed and aware of the ways in which they can control and prevent illnesses that can lead to complications and can be life-threatening. They also need to develop and maintain good communication and interpersonal skills as they age. Maintaining a healthy diet that includes the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, water and other nutrients helps in the management of chronic diseases as they progress. Developing a sense of self-care and having social interaction with other older adults can promote a healthy way of living.
Developing and managing an overall healthy mental health can help in the maintenance of an overall good health status. Older adults should seek medical advice from their doctor in case of any kind of health issue or disease, depending on its severity. This can help them live a longer and healthier life. A healthy lifestyle can help them live longer with good health status and can prevent incidences of chronic diseases and disorders that are associated with aging. By living a healthy lifestyle, aging people can avoid incidences of depression and mental illness that can lead to other health issues.