NIH Radio
You're Never Too Old to Get Healthy
Brief Description:
For "Older Americans Month", the National Institute on Aging is reminding people that it's never too late to start taking care of their health.
Transcript:
Schmalfeldt: Forget what you may have already heard: fact is, you can teach an old dog new tricks. The truth of the matter is that one is never too old when it comes to taking care of one's health. Doctor Judith Salerno is Deputy Director of the National Institute On Aging; she shared some pointers.
Salerno: Quitting smoking at any age can have substantial health benefits; beginning an exercise routine at any age can improve your well-being. There are many things that we attribute to aging that are really not part of the aging process. Aging is not a disease.
Schmalfeldt: May is "Older Americans Month". So, it's a great time for everyone — older and younger folks alike — to realize that aging should not be considered as a head-long slide into decrepity and disability.
Salerno: We're finding out more and more that there are people who live very active, healthy lives until very, very late " into their 90's. Those people have the blessing of good genes. But, they also — many of them — have developed life-long habits that have paid off.
Schmalfeldt: You'll find more information about staying healthy into your golden years — as well as a variety of other health-related subjects of interest to older Americans — at the NIA's "Information Center". To get access to that info — as well as free publications — call the toll-free number, 800-222-2225. From the National Institutes of Health, I'm Bill Schmalfeldt, in Bethesda, Maryland.
About This Audio Report
Date: 5/15/2005
Reporter: Bill Schmalfeldt
Sound Bite: Dr. Judith Salerno
Topic: Aging
Institute(s): NIA
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