Cool-Weather Wellness for Older Adults

A little preventive health maintenance can help you stay healthy through the fall and into the winter. Check out these seven basic steps.

As the weather cools down this fall and sweaters come out of storage, be sure to take time for a little preventive healthcare. Lake Forest Hospital physician Dr. Mark Rudberg suggests some steps to help adults of any age stay well throughout autumn and winter. Dr. Rudberg is an internist and geriatric specialist, and co-author of the 2007 best-selling book You: Staying Young... The Owner’s Manual for Extending Your Warranty, with co-authors Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen. Learn more about Dr. Mark Rudberg's book, You: Staying Young >

“The start of a new season and a new school year is a good time to think about things you can do to maintain your health in the months ahead,” says Dr. Rudberg. He offers seven basic steps.

1. Eat well. Fruits and vegetables may be plentiful in the summer, but they’re no less important in autumn and winter. “Make sure you continue to eat lots of fruits and vegetables as winter approaches,” says Dr. Rudberg. Oranges, carrots, broccoli and squash are nutrient-packed produce that are easy to find this time of year.
   
   
2. Stay active. “It’s easy to be active outside in the warm weather, so start thinking now about how you can continue exercising when the weather is cold and damp,” he says. Some ideas: power-walk at the mall, walk your dog daily, join a fitness class through your community park district or commit to exercising with a friend.
   
   
3. Exercise your brain. “Although it’s more important to get physical exercise than to do mental gymnastics, it’s still necessary to exercise your brain every day,” says Dr. Rudberg. “Do something new; learn something new.” Read a book or newspaper, take a class, tackle a crossword puzzle or play cards with friends.
   
   
4. Socialize. “Social networking is an important predictor of overall health. Older adults are especially vulnerable to cocooning in the winter because they don’t want to go out in the cold,” says Dr. Rudberg. But isolation can be harmful to your health. Whether it’s talking on the telephone, welcoming visitors to your home or shopping with a neighbor, be sure to stay in contact with family and friends in any weather.
   
   
5. See your doctor. Dr. Rudberg notes, “Our bodies go through many changes after age 60, so it’s wise to stay in touch with your doctor. Plus, medical knowledge and practices continually evolve,” so your doctor may have new insights for you this year that weren’t available last year.  Find a Lake Forest Hospital physician >
   
   
6. Stay up to date with shots. The flu vaccine is recommended every year for older adults. “Other immunizations are important, too,” says Dr. Rudberg. He reminds adults to speak with their doctor about getting immunizations for tetanus (every 10 years), pneumonia and shingles. Learn more about how to get flu shots at Lake Forest Hospital >
   
   
7. Stay current on screenings. Autumn is a good time to schedule your screenings and evaluations. Screening schedules vary, so check with your doctor for recommendations. Many doctors recommend annual mammography for women and yearly PSA tests and digital rectal exams for men. Colonoscopy or other screening methods for colorectal cancer also are important. “Don’t forget vision and hearing screenings,” says Dr. Rudberg. “These sensory organs often start to decline with age, yet they’re very important to help us maintain balance and prevent falls.” Falls are a major cause of disability among older adults.
   
   

Schedule a Free Hearing Test

“Roughly 25% of the population over age 50 will have some age-related hearing problems,” says audiologist Madonna Stoioff, M.A., director of specialty clinical services for Lake Forest Hospital. “It’s a good idea to get tested every year so you can accommodate any decline in your hearing.”

Lake Forest Hospital offers free hearing screenings for adults at our Lake Forest and Grayslake facilities. Get details at lfh.org >

While predicting your health can be as hard as predicting the weather, one thing is certain: the more you do to keep yourself well, the more you’ll lower your risks of serious illness or injury this fall and winter.