Your Health Matters
By Claudia Parks

We just CELEBRATED my mother-in-law's 100th Birthday! What a day! The entire town of Starke, Fla., seemed to be in on the festivities. Everyone wants to know her secret. Without a doubt, she is more "with-it" today than 30-40 years ago! She lives alone in her home and was driving until her car (Ford Maverick-no power anything!) died earlier this year and she took this as an omen to give it up-however, it does cross her mind to pick it up again with a newer car!

The only prescription medication she regularly takes is thyroid hormones daily and three Premarin 1.25 mg. tablets a week. However, she faithfully takes two OsCal with D (calcium) caplets every day. She has been doing this routine since she was 58. "I'm knocking on wood." She has most of her own teeth, never broke a bone, she does not use a cane, and tells me, "I'm not going to wear those old lady shoes like you wear!" OK!?

She does all her own housework and some yard work. Also, she continues to cook-the old fashioned way-fresh vegetables, etc. Everyday! She doesn't want air-conditioning in her home and doesn't like the fast food places. (She admits it's because she just doesn't know how to order! "And that's not real food!") One time when we were in a hurry I ran over to the Popeye's Chicken and she was really "taken with it." She told me on our next visit, "Go get us some of that spicy chicken!" (I've contaminated her.)

My point here is that there are a number of conditions and reasons individuals live to the ripe age of 100+ and are really alive and a joy to be around!

Genes are important, along with healthy living. She doesn't

have a history of smoking or being around it very much. She has had a little toddy now and then over the years, which is acceptable. But key, she sits down and eats three meals a day. I do have to remind her to drink plenty of fluids. As individuals age, they have a tendency to not drink enough liquids each day. (They worry about having to go to the bathroom so often.)

An example: I phoned her and noticed that she wasn't her usual self and almost seemed disoriented. (She had been feeling bad for about two days). When I asked her how much liquid had she had in the last 24 hours-very little. I had a neighbor go get her some Gatorade and juices. She tells everyone, "Claudia healed me instantly." I've made her a believer about drinking enough fluids each day. When she feels down, she fixes herself some hot tea and remembers that liquids are very important. I'm a firm believer in the Gatorade or Powerade-type fluids. You don't have to be a sports nut to use these drinks-they have all flavors-keep some on hand to perk yourself up. You may need to keep track of your fluid intake just to make sure you're getting enough. The doctors are still saying that you need at least eight full glasses of liquids daily-this would be about 64 ounces. You may need to watch your sugar and caffeine intake, so watch what you drink.

The most significant practice of acquiring an enjoyable healthful lifestyle is social activities for fun, friendships and physical motion. My mother-inlaw is faithful in her church and recently retired from being a "pink lady" at the local hospital after 30 years. Helping others is mentally healthy. She is friendly to everyone-almost to the point of worrying us somewhat-this day and time. She has outlived several sets of friends-so she has to make new ones-quickly. I've noticed the friends are getting younger and younger. They are intrigued with her. So are we and we are so fortunate to have such a healthy Mom.

Research says that we need to develop a healthy lifestyle by the age of 45-50 if we wish to live to a healthy, happy old age of 90-100.

+ No smoking.

+ No more than four glasses of wine a week.

+ Diets of fruits and vegetables and lean meats, moderate amounts. Don't forget the fluids.

+ At least 30 minutes of physical activity daily.

+ Social activities for fun and enjoyment.

+ Have a relationship with God

+ Be social and friendly (if you have difficultly with this- work on it before it is too late!)

+ Maintain your self-sufficiency

+ Stimulate your mind

+ Don't hound your doctor for the latest pills, expecting a cure immediately!

"It's not how old you are, but how many years you've been really alive that counts!"

National Nurses Week 2006 is May 6 - 12. The American Nurses Association's theme for Nurses Week is "Nurses: Strength, Commitment, and Compassion," reflecting the many attributes of professional nurses in diverse clinical settings throughout the healthcare continuum. Let's give a big thank you to all of our nurses.

Claudia Parks, RN, lived in south Fulton County for more than forty years. She is a former doctor's office and emergency room nurse and recently retired as an educator from Fulton County Schools. She writes Your Health Matters as a public service; the information here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Claudia and her husband have recently and permanently moved to the north Georgia mountains, near Blairsville.