As life expectancy continues to increase, millions of seniors are living well into their 80s and 90s. And with the aging of the baby boomers, the population of senior citizens will swell dramatically in the coming decades.
These statistics will inevitably draw more attention to the aging process. What should middle-age people expect as they grow older? What should care- givers of the elderly know about normal aging? How can we all stay healthy despite the limitations of age?
In “The Real Truth About Aging,” published last month, three experts in geriatric medicine write about healthy aging, the modern and often confusing health care system and medical issues affecting frail older adults.
Authors Dr. Michael Silverman, Dr. Neil Shulman and Dr. Adam Golden devote chapters to preventive medical testing, exercise, so-called anti-aging therapies, vitamin and herbal supplements, and medication problems. They also give advice on how to make the most of a doctor’s visit and offer guidelines for choosing a nursing home or assisted-care facility.
Silverman is the medical director of the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged, and also president of the Florida Geriatrics society. Shulman is an associate professor of medicine at Emory Uni-versity School of Medicine in Atlanta. Gold-en is an investigator in the Miami Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center and an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
The authors also discuss the health risks of a stay in the hospital, including antibiotic-resistant infections, temporary delirium and bedsores. In another section, they tackle the challenges of caring for a frail senior.
“The Real Truth About Aging: A Survival Guide for Older Adults and Caregivers” by Dr. Neil Shulman, Dr. Michael A. Silverman and Dr. Adam G. Golden (422 pages, Prometheus Books, $21.98).