Disability

“After walking on a treadmill at the local community center, I knew I’d be happier outside. So, I got a step counter and started walking in my neighborhood. Since then, I’ve seen yellow tulips bloom in spring and red dogwood leaves drop in fall. I always come home with more energy and happy to go on with the rest of the day.” Marian (age 81)

Get moving! This 120-page guide describes the benefits of exercise and physical activity for older people. Learn how to set exercise goals and stick to them. Includes sample exercises for endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility and a list of resources.

Based on findings from the first 50 years of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging and other NIA research, this 28-page booklet addresses how aging research has changed over time and shares some of what has been learned about aging well.

Age is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Heart disease and stroke incidence rises steeply after age 65, accounting for more than 40 percent of all deaths among people age 65 to 74 and almost 60 percent at age 85 and above. People age 65 and older are much more likely than younger people to suffer a heart attack, to have a stroke, or to develop coronary heart disease and high blood pressure leading to heart failure. Cardiovascular disease is also a major cause of disability, limiting the activity and eroding the quality of life of millions of older people each year.

Luis and Inez were playing cards one night when Luis asked Inez a question. She tried to answer but couldn't speak. Luis knew something was very wrong. Could it be a stroke? Without waiting, he called 911. The ambulance took Inez to the hospital. Emergency doctors said it was a stroke — Luis was right. Because Luis called for help quickly, Inez got the medical care she needed without delay. She started getting well, her speech came back, and once again she's having long talks with Luis.

Elena keeps an eye on her husband Frank to make sure he is taking care of his heart. But she was surprised at a recent medical appointment when Dr. Reyes asked about her family's history of heart disease. When Dr. Reyes heard that Elena's mother had died after a heart attack, he told Elena that she too should be following a heart healthy lifestyle. He said older women, as well as older men, can have heart problems. So now, Elena and Frank are both taking steps toward heart health.

Hearing loss can affect your life in many ways. It can range from missing certain sounds to total loss of hearing. Hearing loss can be serious. You may not hear the sound of your smoke detector alerting you to a fire. You may miss out on talks with friends or family.

Hearing problems can make you feel anxious, upset, and left out. It's easy to withdraw from people when you can't follow what is being said at the dinner table or in a restaurant. Friends and family may think you're confused, uncaring, or difficult when you're really having trouble hearing.