AAFP campaign promotes healthy aging this September. | Courtesy of Shutterstock
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Amanda Rupp | Sep 17, 2016

AAFP campaign focuses on healthy aging this September

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and other health leaders recently joined a campaign to emphasize healthy aging for Americans this September.

Bodies need extra attention and care as people begin to age. Everyone should develop a healthy lifestyle that revolves around good nutrition, moderate exercise, enough sleep and positive social experiences.

During this process, family physicians have an important part in helping these patients continue their health lifestyles as they age. This campaign partners with Health is Primary and Family Medicine for America’s Health to highlight the importance of the health industry and active elderly adults.

"Regular exercise is perhaps the best 'tonic' and beats pills any day," Dr. George Taler, director of long-term care for MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., said.

As part of the campaign, Health is Primary has developed patient handouts for being physically, mentally and socially active throughout aging years. All of these approaches are designed to improve the health of the brain as well as the body.

Exercise with friends is an excellent way to stay healthy. Taler recommends 30 minutes of exercise every day. Activities that are easy on joints but still exercise muscles -- like walking, swimming, bicycling and rowing -- are ideal.

"Patients should be slightly winded, but not uncomfortable," Taler said. "Pain is nature's way of telling you to slow down."

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