Healthy Aging: Why Staying Active and Keeping Up With Preventive Care Matter

Getting older may bring a few more candles on the birthday cake, but it doesn't have to mean giving up the activities you enjoy. 

Whether it's working in the yard, playing with your grandchildren, traveling, walking with friends, or simply being able to handle everyday tasks on your own, staying active can help you continue doing things that make life fulfilling. Just as important, regular checkups and preventive care can help identify health concerns early and give you and your doctor an opportunity to address them before they interfere with your quality of life. 

Savitri Ramdial, MD, CAQ-GM, CMD, is a primary care physician who is fellowship-trained in geriatric medicine. She also practices and oversees Archbold's internal medicine residents at the Archbold Internal Medicine Residency Clinic. Dr. Ramdial encourages older adults to think of healthy aging not simply as adding years to their lives, but as protecting their strength, independence, and overall well-being along the way. 

"Staying active and keeping up with preventive care are two of the most important things older adults can do for their long-term health," says Dr. Ramdial. "The goal is to help you stay as healthy, active, and independent as possible as you age."

Why Staying Active Becomes Even More Important With Age

Physical activity is important at every stage of life, but it can take on even greater significance as we get older. 

With age, adults naturally tend to lose some muscle mass, strength, and bone density. Balance and flexibility may also change. Staying physically active can help slow some of these changes while supporting mobility and the ability to perform everyday activities independently. 

Regular physical activity can also benefit your heart, lungs, brain and overall health. For older adults, those benefits can translate into something very practical: continuing to live life on your own terms. 

"Exercise doesn't have to mean going to a gym or doing strenuous workouts," Dr. Ramdial explains. "Walking, gardening, swimming and other activities you enjoy can all help keep your body moving. The most important thing is finding safe ways to stay active consistently."

How Much Exercise Do Older Adults Need? 

For many adults age 65 and older, a well-rounded exercise routine includes a combination of aerobic activity, strength training and exercises that improve balance. 

Walking is one of the simplest ways to add more movement to your day. Other options may include swimming, water aerobics, cycling or low-impact fitness classes. Strength exercises using light weights, resistance bands or your own body weight can help maintain muscle and make everyday activities—such as carrying groceries or getting up from a chair—easier. 

Balance exercises are especially valuable as you age because they may help reduce your risk of falls. Activities such as tai chi or simple balance exercises recommended by a healthcare professional can help improve stability and confidence. 

The right amount and type of exercise will depend on your overall health and physical abilities. If you have a chronic medical condition, have been inactive for a long period of time or are unsure which activities are appropriate for you, talk with your primary care provider before beginning a new exercise routine. 

"Movement should meet you where you are," says Dr. Ramdial. "You don't have to compare yourself to what you could do 10 or 20 years ago. Focus on what you can safely do today and build from there."

Staying Active Is About More Than Physical Health

The benefits of an active lifestyle aren't limited to muscles and joints. Physical activity can also support mental and emotional well-being. 

Regular movement can help support better sleep, boost mood and provide opportunities to stay socially connected. Taking a walk with a neighbor, joining an exercise class, or gardening with family can combine physical activity with meaningful interaction—something that can become increasingly important as people age. 

Exercise may also support brain health. Staying physically active, socially engaged and mentally stimulated are all important parts of a healthy lifestyle as you get older. 

"Healthy aging involves the whole person," Dr. Ramdial says. "We want to think about physical health, cognitive health, emotional well-being, and social connection—not just whether someone has a particular medical condition."

Preventive Care Helps You Stay Ahead of Health Problems

Staying active is only one piece of healthy aging. Regular preventive care is equally important. 

It can be tempting to skip a doctor's appointment when you feel fine, but many health problems become more common with age and may develop without obvious symptoms. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain cancers are conditions that may be detected through routine screenings before they begin to significantly affect your health. 

Regular visits with a primary care provider also create an opportunity to look at the bigger picture. Your doctor can review your medications, discuss changes in your health, recommend appropriate screenings and vaccinations and talk with you about nutrition, exercise, sleep, fall prevention and other factors that affect your well-being. 

"Preventive care is about identifying risks early and helping patients take steps to protect their health," Dr. Ramdial explains. "We don't want to wait until a problem becomes serious before we address it."

What Preventive Care Do Older Adults Need? 

Preventive care isn't one-size-fits-all. The screenings and services you need may depend on your age, sex, personal medical history, family history, current health, and other risk factors. 

Your primary care provider may recommend preventive services such as: 

• Blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes screenings
• Certain cancer screenings based on your age and individual risk
• Bone density screening for osteoporosis when appropriate
• Recommend vaccinations
• Vision and hearing evaluations
• Medication reviews
• Fall-risk assessments
• Screening for changes in memory, mood or cognitive function

Recommendations can also change as you get older. Some screenings that were important at one stage of life may no longer be necessary, while other health concerns may deserve greater attention. 

That's one reason having an ongoing relationship with a primary care provider is so valuable. Rather than trying to determine which tests you need on your own, you can work with your provider to develop a preventive care plan based on your individual health needs and goals. 

Don't Ignore Changes Just Because You're Getting Older

Aches, fatigue, changes in balance or memory concerns can sometimes be dismissed as "just part of getting older." But new or worsening symptoms are worth discussing with your healthcare provider. 

Changes in mobility, appetite, sleep, mood, memory, bladder or bowel habits, hearing, vision or your ability to complete everyday activities may provide important clues about your health. In some cases, addressing a problem early can help prevent complications and preserve independence. 

"Age alone shouldn't be the reason we dismiss a change in someone's health," says Dr. Ramdial. "If something feels different or is making it harder to do the things you normally do, talk to your doctor about it."

Healthy Aging Starts With Care That Fits Your Goals

One of the most important aspects of caring for older adults is recognizing that everyone ages differently. A healthy 70-year-old who remains highly active may have very different needs from another person of the same age who manages several chronic conditions. 

That's where geriatric-focused care can be especially valuable. Physicians with training in geriatric medicine consider not only medical conditions, but also medications, mobility, cognitive health, independence, social support and an individual's personal goals. 

For some patients, the priority may be improving strength so they can continue gardening or traveling. For others, it may be managing multiple medications, reducing fall risk or finding ways to remain safely independent at home. 

"The conversation should always come back to what matters to the patient," Dr. Ramdial says. "Our job is to help people make informed decisions about their health so their care supports the life they want to live." 

Make Your Health a Priority at Every Age

Healthy aging isn't about trying to stop the clock. It's about taking steps today that can help you maintain your health, independence and quality of life in the years ahead. 

Keep moving in ways that are safe and enjoyable. Pay attention when something about your health changes. And don't wait until you're sick to see your doctor. 

A trusted primary care provider can help you stay on top of recommended screenings, vaccinations, and chronic conditions while working with you to create a plan for staying active and healthy as you age. 

Ready to make your health a priority? Learn more about Archbold Primary Care and find a provider who can help you take the next step toward healthier aging. 

Primary Care for Every Stage of Adulthood in Thomasville

For adults looking for a healthcare provider to help them stay active, manage ongoing health concerns, and keep up with preventive care, the Archbold Internal Medicine Residency Clinic in Thomasville provides comprehensive primary care. 

Dr. Ramdial practices at the clinic and oversees Archbold's internal medicine residents, helping train the next generation of physicians while caring for patients throughout the community. From routine checkups and recommended health screenings to chronic disease management and healthy aging, the clinic provides ongoing care designed to support your health through every stage of adulthood. 

Building a relationship with a primary care provider now can help you make informed decisions about your health and keep you focused on the strength, independence, and quality of life you want to maintain in the years ahead. 

To schedule an appointment at the Archbold Internal Medicine Residency Clinic, call 229.551.8737.