Seniors over the age of 70 - And the doctors who support them- give advice on being happy for years to come.
Written by Jacqueline Renfrow and Photographed by Thomas Sanders
Live, learn and pass it on. That's what these local residents, are doing. These active members of the community-picture morning tai chi and balance classes and afternoon Rotary meetings and golf games--are passing on their wisdom to the readers of Pulse and proving that the old adage, "age is just a number," is entirely true.
We interviewed vibrant seniors, all over the age of 70, and Torrance Memorial physicians to find out their secrets to good nutrition, physical mobility and mental and social stimulation that keep their lives fruitful and enjoyable well into their 70s, 80s and beyond.
Pulse wants to know, "What advice do you have for living a healthy life past your 70s?"
-Harold Toppings, Torrance, grandfather of two active boys ages 13 and 10
"Clean living, a good marriage and taking care of yourself. I swim a lot and work out every other day and try not to worry about anything particular. I also help my kids, my wife and people in the community with whatever they need. By helping people, it keeps me out of trouble. I try and stay active with my grandkids. I take them down to the pier or play with them: surfing, biking, soccer."
-Anna Mellor, MD, internal medicine,
South Bay Family Medical Group
"My advice is three-pronged. As a primary care physician, my first recommendation is prevention. Getting regular physicals and managing routine screenings early on in life gives us the power to make lifestyle or preventive changes when we can really make a difference. Second, stay involved in social or extracurricular activities that are pleasurable. Volunteering or doing things for other people gives you a sense of purpose and structure that is associated with long-term good health. Finally, surround yourself with positive and happy people. Happiness is contagious and one of the best predictors of successful aging."
-Robert Glazer, MD, family practice, Torrance Family Practice
"IN SIR ISAAC NEWTON'S FIRST LAW OF
MOTION, 'A BODY IN MOTION STAYS IN
MOTION, AND A BODY AT REST STAYS
AT REST.' THE 'BODY' CAN BE SEEN AS
A METAPHOR FOR THE HUMAN BODY.
MUSCLES, TENDONS AND JOINTS
WERE DESIGNED FOR MOVEMENT,
AND THE BENEFITS EXTEND TO THE
LUNGS AND HEART. MOVE IT OR LOSE IT!"
-David Haas, MD, family practice,
Torrance Family Practice
"I was once told by a patient, 'I'm too old to worry about cholesterol and diet. The damage has already been done, so don't bother me about it.' This thought process couldn't be further from the truth. Data has shown that older patients achieve greater benefit by lowering cholesterol than any other group. They do this through proper management of diet and medicines when necessary. So eat well and live even longer."
Tender Loving Caregivers
Caregivers play a vital role in the lives of aging seniors. And although taking care of a family member is done out of love, it's a demanding responsibility. That is why Torrance Memorial also extends its love and support to those who take care of others. Starting on September 15 and running through December 8, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm., the hospital will host a class on how to take care of the senior you love while also taking care of yourself.
"Statistically, caregivers die before the person they take care of," says Vickie Hershberger of the Community Health Education Program at Torrance Memorial. "They run themselves into the ground because they focus on taking care of their loved one and don't think they have a right to take care of themselves."
Spoken from first-hand experience-Hershberger takes care of her mother, who has suffered two strokes, and her 98-year-old grandmother-she knows how difficult the experience can be physically and mentally. Hershberger says the caregiver support group, which meets every Tuesday evening at the Health Conference Center, saved her life. Beyond the class and support group, the HealthLinks store also has a free packet for caregivers to pick up or have mailed. "Socialization is so important," she adds. "It's so isolating, and many in this role fall into a pattern of depression."
John Mattesich, San Pedro, lifeguard of 55 years and recent inductee to the San Pedro Sportswalk To The Waterfront
"My secret to a long, healthy life is to follow my four basic principles. For 30 years I preached to my high school students that they must hit a lifestyle homerun. To do this, you must touch all the bases. To get to first base (principle #1) you must take care of the physical aspect of your body. You must eat well. Nutrition is everything. Nothing but natural foods. Daily exercise is also a big part of the physical principle. To get to second base (principle #2) you must be social. It is important to interact with people. Develop close relationships with people of both sexes. When you do good things for other people, good things happen. Try to laugh every day. Be and think positive. To get to third base, you must take care of the intellectual aspect of your life (principle #3). Education is a lifelong process. Read on a daily basis. The brain is like a muscle, so it must be exercised. Knowledge is the key to success, so stay in school. Finally, home plate (principle #4) is to be spiritual. You must be honest. Never steal, cheat or lie. Treat other people with respect. If you follow these four simple principles, life will be a joy."
-Florence (Flo) Bailey, Torrance, member of the Red Hat Society for three years
"As the saying goes, it's not the age, it's the attitude. Think positive. Get involved in your community, and it also helps to keep your mind busy. I work on crossword puzzles, and I just learned to knit last year. Listen, we all have problems, but they just last for a little while, and then we overcome them and get back on track. So turn that frown upside down. Keep busy and keep smiling."
--Don Redman, Manhattan Beach, retired teacher and coach of 17 years and reserve police officer for 25 years
"SPENDING TIME WITH CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN HELPS ONE MAINTAIN GOOD
MENTAL HEALTH. I ALSO BELONG TO A LOCAL SERVICE CLUB THAT KEEPS ME ACTIVE IN THE
COMMUNITY AND PROVIDES FOR A STRONG BASE OF FRIENDS THAT KEEPS MY WIFE AND I
SOCIALLY ACTIVE. I PLAY GOLF TO KEEP MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY ACTIVE. I ALSO ENJOY
MAINTAINING AND SHOWING OLD CARS AS ANOTHER OUTLET FOR SOCIAL ACTIVITY
"SPENDING TIME WITH CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN HELPS ONE MAINTAIN GOOD
MENTAL HEALTH. I ALSO BELONG TO A LOCAL SERVICE CLUB THAT KEEPS ME ACTIVE IN THE
COMMUNITY AND PROVIDES FOR A STRONG BASE OF FRIENDS THAT KEEPS MY WIFE AND I
SOCIALLY ACTIVE. I PLAY GOLF TO KEEP MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY ACTIVE. I ALSO ENJOY
MAINTAINING AND SHOWING OLD CARS AS ANOTHER OUTLET FOR SOCIAL ACTIVITY."
-Catherine Bannerman, MD, FAAFP, CMD, medical director of clinical quality, palliative care and the Transitional Care Unit at
Torrance Memorial
"It's what I call my Four A's of Healthy aging, based on the observation of many elderly people in my practice. The ones who seem to do well are those who have the following:
1. Attitude: a positive outlook and continued curiosity and interest in life.
2. Activity: an active life; they get regular exercise.
3. Adaptable: the ability to adapt to the inevitable losses and changes in life.
4. Affection: someone to love in their life, whether it be people or pets, and being loved."
To watch more interviews, visit Advantage 50+.
Have an Advantage:
When you reach the age of 70, this new stage of life comes with new questions, new challenges and new adventures. That's where Torrance Memorial's ADVANTAGE Program comes in. For people age 50 and older, ADVANTAGE is free and helps you stay in the know when it comes to all of the programs the hospital has to offer to keep seniors mentally and physically sharp and make life a little easier.
Five times a year, members receive a newsletter listing everything from lectures and transportation resources to exercise classes and Medicare counseling. Some of the most popular ADVANTAGE offerings include the monthly Miracle of Living lectures, in which topics are chosen from participant suggestions. Another favorite is Medications 101, which is offered twice a year to educate people about medication and supplement interactions. It is followed with a monthly support group, Questions for the Pharmacist, which allows participants to actually brown bag their prescriptions and ask a pharmacist about the medicines and their interactions.
The physical exercise classes are a big hit too since they are geared specifically for an older demographic. "They are gentler than other classes, and seniors don't want to go off to gyms and be with the 20-somethings in spandex," says Vickie Hershberger of the Community Health Education Program at Torrance Memorial. For a full list of exercise classes and to learn more about the ADVANTAGE program, call 310-517-4711.