Healthy Aging Topics
HIV Resources
Locate tips and recommendations for older adults living with HIV. Older adults living with HIV are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia, diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers and of experiencing a fall. Although many older adults with HIV were diagnosed in their younger years, thousands of older adults contract HIV every year.
Briefs
- Healthy Living with HIV— Information from the CDC
- HIV/AIDS — Information about ACL Grantees that support older adults with HIV
- Nutrition and Exercise— Recommendations for individuals living with HIV from the VA
Oral Health
Discover resources to address oral health amongst older adults. Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one's mouth clean and free of disease and other problems by regular brushing of and cleaning between the teeth. Oral health is especially important for older adults to reduce the risk of complications due to untreated tooth decay, gum disease, or tooth loss.
Briefs
- Hunger Pains: How Food Insecurity Affects Oral Health— Report from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health highlighting additional health outcomes of food insecurity
- Medications and Oral Health— ADA brief
- Nutrition: Adults Over 60— ADA resource on food choices help prevent tooth decay
- Oral Health Overview — Information and resources from ACL
Guides
Tools & Toolkits
- Beyond a Nice Smile: Links Between Oral Health and Overall Health for Older Adults— Handouts from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health illustrating affects of poor oral health on other aspects of an older adults’ health
- Dental Aging Tips— App from the University of Iowa with modules for family caregivers on the importance of oral health, providing daily care, and overcoming barriers
- Rural Oral Health Toolkit— Resources from RHIhub for developing and implementing oral health programs in rural communities
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis affects about 54 million people in the United States. Risk increases with advanced age. Understanding risk for osteoporosis can help older adults take an active role in protecting bone health.
Briefs
- Understanding Osteoporosis — Prevention strategies from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Physical Activity
Physical activity for older adults may improve blood pressure, enhance mood, strengthen bones and muscles, reduce risk of falls, and provide opportunities for socialization. Safe movement is important for more than just burning calories.
Fact Sheets
- Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Older Adults— CDC resources on benefits of physical activity for adults 65 years and older
- Get Active With DASH— NIH fact sheet on health benefits of physical activity
- Physical Activity is What the Doctor Ordered — Infographic from Health.gov
- What’s Your Move— Physical activity fact sheet from Health.gov
Reports
- Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults— Guidelines from health.gov highlight strategies to increase physical activity among older adults in key settings and reinforce the amount and types of activity needed
Tools & Toolkits
- Healthy Aging in Parks Initiative (YouTube)— Evidence-based program from NRPA
- Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans— Health.gov recommendations for and benefits of physical activity
- Move Your Way Materials for Older Adults— Fact sheets, poster, sample social media messages, and more from Health.gov
- Physical Activity: Home-based Exercise Interventions for Adults Aged 65 years and Older— Summary of Community Preventive Services Task Force finding on benefits of home-based exercise interventions for older adults
- Healthy Blood Pressure for Healthy Hearts— NIH tip sheet on taking control for your blood pressure