Alternative Health Options: How to Stay Healthy and Active as You Age

As people age, they may experience a decline in their physical and mental health. This can lead to a need for long-term health care, which can be expensive and quality care difficult to find. However, there are a number of alternative health options that can help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life for a longer period of time.

Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CAM)

CAM is a broad term that refers to a variety of health care approaches that are not part of traditional Western medicine. Harvey Zarren, MD, president of the Arlington, Mass.-based Integrative Medicine Alliance, because CAM therapies told Social Work Today that CAM therapies tend to be less invasive than conventional medicine and have fewer side effects, especially for older adults because they have the risk for more complications.  

They tend to be much more prone to encounter problems from standard medical treatment. There's a focus on deepening the quality of the human experience. CAM practitioners generally relate to their patients with respect, spending lots of time with them and focusing on people's wellness rather than their problems.

CAM therapies can be used to prevent or treat various health conditions, including pain, anxiety, and depression. Some of the most common CAM therapies used by older adults include:

• Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points. Acupuncture is thought to help improve circulation, reduce pain, and promote relaxation. 
• Massage therapy: Massage therapy involves applying pressure to the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. Massage therapy can help to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and promote relaxation. 
• Yoga: Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Yoga can help to improve flexibility, strength, and balance. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR): MBSR is a type of meditation that teaches people how to focus their attention on the present moment. MBSR can help to reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost mood.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health, explains it this way:

Integrative health brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. Integrative health also emphasizes multimodal interventions, which are two or more interventions such as conventional health care approaches (like medication, physical rehabilitation, psychotherapy), and complementary health approaches (like acupuncture, yoga, and probiotics) in various combinations, with an emphasis on treating the whole person rather than, for example, one organ system. Integrative health aims for well-coordinated care among different providers and institutions by bringing conventional and complementary approaches together to care for the whole person.

Other Alternative Health Options

In addition to CAM therapies, there are several other alternative health options that can benefit older adults. These include:

• Dietary changes: Eating a healthy diet can help to improve overall health and well-being. Older adults should focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. They should also limit their intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats. 
• Exercise: Exercise is important for people of all ages, but it is especially important for older adults. Exercise can help to improve physical function, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve mental health. 
• Social engagement: Social engagement can help to reduce loneliness and isolation, which are common problems for older adults. Older adults should stay connected with friends and family, and they should also get involved in activities that they enjoy. 

Excercise is always important. Dr. Kimberly Kinder, owner of Amada Senior Care's Little Rock franchise and a licensed physical therapist, says that calisthenics are bodyweight exercises that mimic the body's natural movements. She says the benefits are just as great whether you're an older adult or 65-plus, and it's never too late to improve your health. 

Even if you cannot do a push-up from the floor, anyone can lean against a wall to do a wall push-up and work towards a floor push-up. Squatting is another popular bodyweight exercise that improves balance and can be progressed from any level of fitness.

Dr. Kinder says the best benefit of squats is that they can help seniors maintain their ability to rise from the floor as they age – thus, seniors can decrease their fall risk by regularly performing squats to improve balance and lower body strength. 

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), is part of the National Institutes of Health, summarizes it this way:

As you grow older, you go through many changes, and you may need to adjust your lifestyle for healthy aging. Healthy eating and regular physical activity can be keys to good health at any age. Making suitable lifestyle choices may also prevent some health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.

Long-Term Care and CAM

CAM therapies can be a valuable part of both in-home long-term care and facility care for older adults. They can help to improve physical and mental health, reduce the need for medication, and promote overall well-being. 

Some of the most common CAM therapies used in both settings include acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. In addition to these specific therapies, several other CAM approaches can benefit older adults, such as dietary changes, exercise, and social engagement. 

Keep in mind that long-term health care is not paid for by health insurance, including Medicare. Long-Term Care Insurance will often pay for all levels and types of care, including at home.

• What Is Long-Term Care Insurance & What Does It Cover?

Healing and Rejuvenation Treatments

Among the array of innovative wellness practices, red light therapy emerges as a captivating avenue for holistic healing and rejuvenation. Particularly, Hooga red light therapy stands out for its remarkable benefits in addressing the effects of aging. It offers a non-invasive approach to combat the signs of aging, enhances circulation, and reduces inflammation, fostering an environment where the body's innate healing processes can flourish.

Making Informed Choices

When considering alternative health options, it is important to do your research and talk to your doctor. Some CAM therapies can interact with medications, so ensuring they are safe for you is important. Finding a qualified practitioner who can help you make the most of these therapies is also important.

There are a number of alternative health options that can be beneficial for older adults. These options can help to improve physical and mental health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve quality of life. If you are an older adult, talk to your doctor about alternative health options that may be right for you.