Contents
Preface
List of Figures and Tables
List of Acronyms
1 What's Happened to Health Care?
The Plan of the Guide
Who Is a Senior?
Financing Health Care for Seniors: Promises and Pitfalls
The Quality of Medical Care
Medications
Resources
2 The Aging Process
Genetics
Living Wills and Advance Directives
Dying, Grief, and Bereavement
Resources
3 The Heart of the Matter: Cardiovascular and General Health
Normal Aging of the Cardiovascular System
Genetics and Heredity: Know Thyself and Thy Family
Cholesterol and Its Relatives
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Smoking
Other Risk Factors
Setting and Keeping Realistic Goals
Stress Control and Meditation
Resources
4 Nutrition, Diet, and Weight Control
Food Facts You Need to Know
Herbs and Other Supplements Used in Complementary/Alternative Medicine
Losing Weight
The Prudent Diet
Resources
5 Fitness
Walking and Mall Walking
Equipment
Where Do You Start
Pre-enrollment Regulations
Special Considerations
Resources
6 Cancer and Blood Diseases
Aging and Cancer
Some Common Cancers
Blood, Bone Marrow, and Lymph Nodes
Cancer Prevention
Coping With Cancer
Anemias
Resources
7 More Leading Causes of Death and Disability
Lung
Infectious Diseases
Diabetes and Some Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders
Accidents, Falls, Bones, and Joints
The Kidneys and Plumbing Problems
A Few Other Medical Conditions
Resources
8 Mental and Social Health and Elder Abuse
Illnesses
Elder Abuse
Resources
9 Retirement
Decisions
To Fulfill Dreams Delayed
Where Should You Live?
Escaping a Death Sentence
What's Natural?
Resources
10 Envoi
Bibliography
Index
Library of Congress Subject Headings for this publication: Aged Health and hygiene United States Popular works, Aged Medical care United States Popular works, Geriatrics Popular works