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Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
If You Want To Age Well, Experts Say You Should Start Doing These Very Simple Things Immediately
When it comes to getting older, there are many factors that help you live a fulfilled, healthy life — ones that go beyond working out and eating your vegetables (although that's part of it, too). 'Aging well, in my opinion, consists of three different components,' said Dr. Parul Goyal, a geriatrician at Vanderbilt Health in Nashville. These categories are physical health, emotional connection and mental support, Goyal said. These elements come together to help you live a life that's rewarding, lively and healthful. Doctors say there are lots of behaviors that contribute to your physical, emotional and mental health as you grow older, and some clear signs that you're taking care of yourself in these ways. Below, geriatricians share the indicators that someone is aging well, along with a little advice if you feel like you're not hitting the mark. You take time to learn new things. The older we get, the fewer chances we have to absorb new information; many of us are far out of school or work. The opportunities to learn are limited if those opportunities aren't sought out. 'We also look at their cognitive health in this ... making sure that they are staying mentally strong, they are using their mind, they are engaging in exercises to stimulate their mind, which means they are learning like a new skill,' Goyal said. She encourages her patients to learn something new, whether it's a new game, exercise, language or musical instrument. 'That will help form new pathways in the brain so that they can continue to stay cognitively strong,' she said. You're honest about your needs. 'So often, people don't age well because they're not upfront about what their needs are,' said Robyn Golden, the associate vice president of social work and community health at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. 'How do we make it OK for people to say, 'This is what I need, I'm feeling lonely, I need someone to go out with on a Tuesday night.'' Rampant ageism makes it easy for people to feel like a burden or invisible, Golden said, which can encourage silent suffering. But it's important to push against that and let folks know when you're having a tough time. So if you're someone who can share your thoughts and needs with your family and friends, that's a good sign. What's more, if you're struggling with depression and anxiety, it's important to let your doctor know. There's often a false belief that anxiety or depression after a certain age is more 'normal,' but Golden said this is not true. 'Depression can be treated at any age, and not just with medication, with counseling, with group interventions, you name it. So, I think that's part of how you age well, being open to being able to say, 'This is who I am, this is what I need,'' she explained. You have a community. Loneliness and isolation are a big problem, so much so that the surgeon general of the United States declared an epidemic of isolation and loneliness throughout the country. 'As you know, with the COVID pandemic, this has become really important. There was a lot of social isolation among our geriatric patients because they were confined to their homes,' Goyal said. To combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, it's important to bolster your social connections, whether that's with friends, family, your church group or your community, she said. Related: People Are Sharing The Wildest Medical Self-Diagnoses That Actually Turned Out To Be Correct There isn't one right way to connect with your community, either. Golden said this could look like anything from volunteering at a local food bank to helping a neighborhood child learn to read. Socializing can help your brain health, too, said Dr. Lee Lindquist, the chief of geriatrics at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. 'We think of the brain as a muscle, so if you sit in a room with four walls all day and not talk to anybody, you're almost living in a nursing home ... your brain is going to go to sludge because it's not getting any stimulation,' Lindquist said. Socializing, whether that's talking to people in person or on the phone, interacting with folks on Zoom or joining a book club, is a way to exercise your brain and make it stronger, said Lindquist. You prioritize your physical health. Eating nutritious foods and exercising are important all throughout your life, including when you reach an older age. Goyal said she talks with her patients about eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, and one that aligns with a combination of a Mediterranean diet and a DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. According to Goyal, the DASH diet is 'a low sodium diet that is recommended for people that have high blood pressure.' The Mediterranean diet is a well-studied meal plan that is full of whole grains, healthy fats, lean meat and plant-based foods. Drinking enough water is also part of this, Goyal said. And, beyond what you eat and drink, it's important to keep yourself physically fit, too. 'I want people to keep moving, exercising. If you haven't moved in a long time, or you've been sitting down for a long time, it's sometimes useful to ask your doctors for a physical therapy order to help you with your gait and balance,' said Lindquist. Related: 17 People Shared How They Put "Microfeminism" Into Practice Daily, And We Should All Take Note She noted that many of us may be afraid to move around as we get older because of a fear of falling, but exercising — whether you're walking or joining a tai chi class — can help with your fall risk. 'Because what happens is if we choose not to walk or choose not to move, then it puts you at a higher risk for falling. So it's almost like a catch-22,' added Lindquist. When exercising, Goyal said it's also important to work on your muscle strength, since muscle mass is lost as you age. Lifting weights, pilates, yoga and tai chi can all be a part of a good muscle-building exercise routine, Goyal said. Additionally, cardio fitness — like walking, biking, swimming and running — are important for your heart health. You do things you enjoy. 'I love people who are doing activities and enjoying life, and doing it in a way that brings them enjoyment,' Lindquist said. It's not realistic to think that you'll never deal with an illness or an injury, but that doesn't mean you can't do the things you love to do, whether that's traveling, learning new recipes or playing games with your family. 'From my end, people get chronic illnesses throughout their life, but it's all about managing their care and doing the best they can,' Lindquist added. And if you're doing things you enjoy, you likely won't find yourself bored, and boredom can be a red flag as you age, Golden explained. 'Feeling like the day is very, very long is not a good sign.' Hobbies, volunteer work and spending time with loved ones are all good ways to combat boredom. You talk to your doctor about the medications you take. Just because you were prescribed one medication in your 50s doesn't mean it's still serving you 20, 30 or 40 years later. 'Many times, we end up taking too many medicines for what we actually need,' Lindquist said. 'Your body is always changing, it may not need [certain] meds.' She said it's important to talk to your doctor about de-prescribing any unnecessary medications. For example, if you were prescribed medication for stress when you were working in your 50s, you may not need it after you retire. 'And so it may be that they don't need these medicines, or that these medicines might actually be bad for them as they get older. So, it's imperative that you talk to your physician [or] a geriatrician ... specifically looking at what drugs are unnecessary or can be dangerous as you get older,' Lindquist noted. You plan for the future. 'The other thing I always tell people is to plan ahead because as much as we all want to age well into our hundreds, healthy and happily, there is a very good chance that something might happen that you need to be hospitalized, or that you might need more support in your home,' Lindquist said. It's important to talk to your family and friends about what you want to happen if you are hospitalized, if you fall or if you experience memory loss. This way, your loved ones will be prepared if any unplanned, stressful situations occur. 'It's not planning for end of life, which is like hospice, or [planning] you're going to die in six months ― this is planning for the 20 years before you need help,' Lindquist explained. This is a way to ensure your voice is heard as you get older, and that those around you don't make decisions for you. This could look like having a conversation with your kids about what kind of support you want if you get to a point where you can't care for yourself. Or it could look like talking with your partner about downsizing to a one-story house that won't require frequent stair use. Lindquist said it's good to start this kind of planning when you retire, but it's also important to know that these plans may change as your life progresses, and that is OK. As plans change, it's crucial that you keep the conversation going and inform your loved ones. If you need future-planning advice or tips on how to talk to loved ones about these potentially stressful conversations, Lindquist and her colleagues created Plan Your Lifespan, a free future-planning resource for older adults that's backed by research, studies and funding from the National Institutes of Health. If you haven't done any of these things yet — or you haven't prioritized them like you should — don't panic. Now is always a good time to begin; the sooner you start focusing on these things the better. And even if you still think you have time, Goyal stressed that you still should make these behaviors a priority. 'The important thing I want to really communicate with this topic is that oftentimes people will ask me this question: 'How do I age well?' when they're well in their 60s or their 70s,' Goyal said. 'I really want people to start thinking about aging well from the time they're in their 30s and their 40s.' If you start focusing on healthy habits earlier in your life, you can carry them along into your golden years, Goyal said. Additionally, as you age, don't focus so much on the number. That has nothing to do with aging well. 'Chronological age doesn't mean a whole lot — so, 65, 75, 85, it's how you're feeling that makes that difference, not that number,' Golden said. If you prioritize your relationships, your physical health, your mental health and your future plans, you'll be set up to feel good no matter what year you were article originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in Goodful: "It's Soul-Crushing": People Are Revealing The TellTale Signs Someone Has Been Through A Lot Of Shit In Their Life, And Some Of These Might Surprise You Also in Goodful: "I'm Sitting There With My Jaw On The Floor": Guys Are Sharing The Minor Things Women Say, Do, Or Wear That Drives Them Wild, And I Didn't Expect Any Of These Also in Goodful: 21 "Fatal" Safety Mistakes People Make Every Day (And How To Avoid Them), According To First Responders
Buzz Feed
10-05-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
7 Signs You're Aging Well, According To Geriatricians
When it comes to getting older, there are many factors that help you live a fulfilled, healthy life — ones that go beyond working out and eating your vegetables (although that's part of it, too). 'Aging well, in my opinion, consists of three different components,' said Dr. Parul Goyal, a geriatrician at Vanderbilt Health in Nashville. These categories are physical health, emotional connection and mental support, Goyal said. These elements come together to help you live a life that's rewarding, lively and healthful. Doctors say there are lots of behaviors that contribute to your physical, emotional and mental health as you grow older, and some clear signs that you're taking care of yourself in these ways. Below, geriatricians share the indicators that someone is aging well, along with a little advice if you feel like you're not hitting the mark. You take time to learn new things. The older we get, the fewer chances we have to absorb new information; many of us are far out of school or work. The opportunities to learn are limited if those opportunities aren't sought out. 'We also look at their cognitive health in this ... making sure that they are staying mentally strong, they are using their mind, they are engaging in exercises to stimulate their mind, which means they are learning like a new skill,' Goyal said. She encourages her patients to learn something new, whether it's a new game, exercise, language or musical instrument. 'That will help form new pathways in the brain so that they can continue to stay cognitively strong,' she said. You're honest about your needs. 'So often, people don't age well because they're not upfront about what their needs are,' said Robyn Golden, the associate vice president of social work and community health at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. 'How do we make it OK for people to say, 'This is what I need, I'm feeling lonely, I need someone to go out with on a Tuesday night.'' Rampant ageism makes it easy for people to feel like a burden or invisible, Golden said, which can encourage silent suffering. But it's important to push against that and let folks know when you're having a tough time. So if you're someone who can share your thoughts and needs with your family and friends, that's a good sign. What's more, if you're struggling with depression and anxiety, it's important to let your doctor know. There's often a false belief that anxiety or depression after a certain age is more 'normal,' but Golden said this is not true. 'Depression can be treated at any age, and not just with medication, with counseling, with group interventions, you name it. So, I think that's part of how you age well, being open to being able to say, 'This is who I am, this is what I need,'' she explained. You have a community. Loneliness and isolation are a big problem, so much so that the surgeon general of the United States declared an epidemic of isolation and loneliness throughout the country. 'As you know, with the COVID pandemic, this has become really important. There was a lot of social isolation among our geriatric patients because they were confined to their homes,' Goyal said. To combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, it's important to bolster your social connections, whether that's with friends, family, your church group or your community, she said. There isn't one right way to connect with your community, either. Golden said this could look like anything from volunteering at a local food bank to helping a neighborhood child learn to read. Socializing can help your brain health, too, said Dr. Lee Lindquist, the chief of geriatrics at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. 'We think of the brain as a muscle, so if you sit in a room with four walls all day and not talk to anybody, you're almost living in a nursing home ... your brain is going to go to sludge because it's not getting any stimulation,' Lindquist said. Socializing, whether that's talking to people in person or on the phone, interacting with folks on Zoom or joining a book club, is a way to exercise your brain and make it stronger, said Lindquist. You prioritize your physical health. Eating nutritious foods and exercising are important all throughout your life, including when you reach an older age. Goyal said she talks with her patients about eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, and one that aligns with a combination of a Mediterranean diet and a DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. According to Goyal, the DASH diet is 'a low sodium diet that is recommended for people that have high blood pressure.' The Mediterranean diet is a well-studied meal plan that is full of whole grains, healthy fats, lean meat and plant-based foods. Drinking enough water is also part of this, Goyal said. And, beyond what you eat and drink, it's important to keep yourself physically fit, too. 'I want people to keep moving, exercising. If you haven't moved in a long time, or you've been sitting down for a long time, it's sometimes useful to ask your doctors for a physical therapy order to help you with your gait and balance,' said Lindquist. She noted that many of us may be afraid to move around as we get older because of a fear of falling, but exercising — whether you're walking or joining a tai chi class — can help with your fall risk. 'Because what happens is if we choose not to walk or choose not to move, then it puts you at a higher risk for falling. So it's almost like a catch-22,' added Lindquist. When exercising, Goyal said it's also important to work on your muscle strength, since muscle mass is lost as you age. Lifting weights, pilates, yoga and tai chi can all be a part of a good muscle-building exercise routine, Goyal said. Additionally, cardio fitness — like walking, biking, swimming and running — are important for your heart health. You do things you enjoy. 'I love people who are doing activities and enjoying life, and doing it in a way that brings them enjoyment,' Lindquist said. It's not realistic to think that you'll never deal with an illness or an injury, but that doesn't mean you can't do the things you love to do, whether that's traveling, learning new recipes or playing games with your family. 'From my end, people get chronic illnesses throughout their life, but it's all about managing their care and doing the best they can,' Lindquist added. And if you're doing things you enjoy, you likely won't find yourself bored, and boredom can be a red flag as you age, Golden explained. 'Feeling like the day is very, very long is not a good sign.' Hobbies, volunteer work and spending time with loved ones are all good ways to combat boredom. You talk to your doctor about the medications you take. Just because you were prescribed one medication in your 50s doesn't mean it's still serving you 20, 30 or 40 years later. 'Many times, we end up taking too many medicines for what we actually need,' Lindquist said. 'Your body is always changing, it may not need [certain] meds.' She said it's important to talk to your doctor about de-prescribing any unnecessary medications. For example, if you were prescribed medication for stress when you were working in your 50s, you may not need it after you retire. 'And so it may be that they don't need these medicines, or that these medicines might actually be bad for them as they get older. So, it's imperative that you talk to your physician [or] a geriatrician ... specifically looking at what drugs are unnecessary or can be dangerous as you get older,' Lindquist noted. You plan for the future. 'The other thing I always tell people is to plan ahead because as much as we all want to age well into our hundreds, healthy and happily, there is a very good chance that something might happen that you need to be hospitalized, or that you might need more support in your home,' Lindquist said. It's important to talk to your family and friends about what you want to happen if you are hospitalized, if you fall or if you experience memory loss. This way, your loved ones will be prepared if any unplanned, stressful situations occur. 'It's not planning for end of life, which is like hospice, or [planning] you're going to die in six months ― this is planning for the 20 years before you need help,' Lindquist explained. This is a way to ensure your voice is heard as you get older, and that those around you don't make decisions for you. This could look like having a conversation with your kids about what kind of support you want if you get to a point where you can't care for yourself. Or it could look like talking with your partner about downsizing to a one-story house that won't require frequent stair use. Lindquist said it's good to start this kind of planning when you retire, but it's also important to know that these plans may change as your life progresses, and that is OK. As plans change, it's crucial that you keep the conversation going and inform your loved ones. If you need future-planning advice or tips on how to talk to loved ones about these potentially stressful conversations, Lindquist and her colleagues created Plan Your Lifespan, a free future-planning resource for older adults that's backed by research, studies and funding from the National Institutes of Health. If you haven't done any of these things yet — or you haven't prioritized them like you should — don't panic. Now is always a good time to begin; the sooner you start focusing on these things the better. And even if you still think you have time, Goyal stressed that you still should make these behaviors a priority. 'The important thing I want to really communicate with this topic is that oftentimes people will ask me this question: 'How do I age well?' when they're well in their 60s or their 70s,' Goyal said. 'I really want people to start thinking about aging well from the time they're in their 30s and their 40s.' If you start focusing on healthy habits earlier in your life, you can carry them along into your golden years, Goyal said. Additionally, as you age, don't focus so much on the number. That has nothing to do with aging well. 'Chronological age doesn't mean a whole lot — so, 65, 75, 85, it's how you're feeling that makes that difference, not that number,' Golden said. If you prioritize your relationships, your physical health, your mental health and your future plans, you'll be set up to feel good no matter what year you were born.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vanderbilt Health Performs First Successful Kidney Transplant Using New Organ Preservation Technology
Vanderbilt University Hospital becomes first hospital in Tennessee to adopt advanced preservation technology for kidney transplantation to expand the donor pool NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Paragonix Technologies, Inc., a leader in organ preservation technology, and Vanderbilt Health, one of the oldest and largest kidney transplant programs in the country, are proud to announce the successful transplantation of a donor kidney using the Paragonix KidneyVault™ Renal Perfusion System. The FDA-cleared portable hypothermic perfusion technology is designed to preserve and transport donor kidneys. Vanderbilt is the first in Tennessee, and one of the first in the entire Southeast to use this innovative system for kidney transport. The adoption of KidneyVault is the latest advancement in Vanderbilt's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology in the organ transplantation process. By pioneering new approaches, Vanderbilt is able to serve more patients, including high-risk patients who may not be candidates at other medical centers. "We used the technology for transport and pumping and were satisfied with the overall feel and appearance of the kidney at the time of reperfusion," said Christian Crannell, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Kidney & Pancreas Transplantation. "We also appreciated knowing where the kidney was during transport and knowing the organ temperature." More than 106,000 patients are currently on the national transplant waitlist in the U.S., with 86% waiting for a kidney. Expanding donor pools and optimizing available resources is critical. Hypothermic machine perfusion has shown significant benefits for kidney transplants. KidneyVault's compact and easy-to-transport design combines proven perfusion techniques with advanced digital monitoring, ensuring donor kidneys arrive in optimal condition and improving the process from donation to recipient. "Paragonix is committed to expanding access to donor organs and improving patient outcomes, and we're thrilled to see Vanderbilt Health introduce KidneyVault to its community," said Lisa Anderson, Ph.D., President of Paragonix Technologies. "Innovations like KidneyVault enable transplant centers to accept organs from greater distances and with more logistical complexity than ever before. We look forward to empowering the clinical community to maximize the use of Paragonix devices, giving every donor kidney the best chance to reach a patient in need." For more information about Paragonix Advanced Organ Preservation devices, please visit About Paragonix Technologies Paragonix Technologies is a leading developer, manufacturer, and service provider in the organ transplant industry, establishing a novel approach to organ preservation. A Getinge company, Paragonix Technologies provides Advanced Organ Preservation ("AOP") devices that safeguard donor organs during the journey between donor and recipient patients. Their FDA-cleared and CE-marked devices incorporate clinically proven and medically trusted cold preservation techniques that allow unprecedented physical and thermal protection to the organ during transit. All Paragonix AOP devices are natively integrated with a novel digital app, delivering real-time organ tracking data and monitoring logistics for transplant teams seeking a secure and centralized solution. For more information, visit About Getinge With a firm belief that every person and community should have access to the best possible care, Getinge provides hospitals and life science institutions with products and solutions aiming to improve clinical results and optimize workflows. The offering includes products and solutions for intensive care, cardiovascular procedures, operating rooms, sterile processing and life science. Getinge employs approximately 12,000 people worldwide and the products are sold in more than 135 countries. Connect with us on LinkedIn: Paragonix Technologies Follow us on X (formerly twitter): @ParagonixSherpa Find us on YouTube: Paragonix SherpaPak View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Adam LafreniereSr. Director, Marketingmarketing@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
VUMC addresses immigration enforcement in medical facilities
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Illegal immigration is not just a border issue. It's being felt across America, including Middle Tennessee medical facilities. At Vanderbilt Health, which has seven hospitals and more than 200 clinics across the region, the issue of patient confidentiality, immigration status, and law enforcement requests for information has become a topic of inquiry. Tennessee Senate passes controversial immigration bill that some call unconstitutional On Thursday, Feb. 6, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) clarified what employees should expect and what they should do in certain circumstances. In a lengthy document, officials discussed policies but also presented questions healthcare workers might have and scenarios they might face. For example, one of the questions was 'What should I do if ICE or other law enforcement agents appear in my unit?' In that case, the Office of Legal Affairs instructed employees to interact with authorities in a calm and professional manner without any physical contact, resistance, interference, or misstatements even if the law enforcement agents are uncooperative or aggressive. Employees were also urged not to share any patient information, including immigration status, with authorities or grant them access to any non-public areas 'Let's see what happens': Tennessee Republicans look to challenge Supreme Court ruling with bill on undocumented students The document also specified where authorities could enter and carry out law enforcement activities, what to do if they presented a warrant or were uncooperative, and more. According to officials, if authorities insist on taking custody of a patient, employees should remain calm, polite, and professional; avoid becoming confrontational or physically interfering with law enforcement; and be truthful but don't hesitate to disclose a lack of authorization to provide certain information. VUMC said part of its policy is to protect patients' privacy rights while also cooperating with law enforcement agencies to protect the public. ⏩ U.S. Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.) spoke to a room full of law enforcement on Friday, Feb. 7 at the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association's Exhibitor Winter Annual Conference in Murfreesboro. While the congressman didn't address VUMC's release specifically, he did speak at length about illegal immigration and efforts to curtail it. 'With Republicans in control of the Senate and House now and with President Trump in the White House, we've seen bills like the Laken Riley Act passed and become law,' Rose said. 'It's common sense legislation: it says if a person is already in the country illegally and they commit a host of different crimes, they are going to be immediately deported. We shouldn't have illegal immigrant here to begin with, but certainly if they're causing trouble in our communities, we should get them out of the country.' VUMC officials declined to comment on the document, telling News 2 the statement is a specific and complete representation of VUMC's position on the matter. However, News 2 learned there have been no instances of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents coming into the hospital. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
