| Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease three | | | | If it was only an appearance issue it would only be half |
| years ago but at 87 years old, he is still well today. His | | | | bad, but when we live longer lives more prone to |
| knees are bothering him but he manages to stand up | | | | disease because of all the fat in our systems, we tend |
| at the net, racket in hand and volley a ball back to his | | | | to be miserable and frightened. Add to that the rising |
| daughters. Mowing the lawn, playing with the | | | | cost of health care and how it's delivered and we are |
| grandchildren and a game of pinochle round out his | | | | facing a tragic end. A physician friend of mine, Dr. |
| week. Somehow, he manages to get a hearty laugh in | | | | Peter Weiss, wrote a book called More Health, Less |
| everyday as well. | | | | Care that helps individuals position themselves to fight |
| What's the difference between dad and many of his | | | | against such a tragic finale. |
| octogenarian friends? Many many years ago, he | | | | Basically, he says there is something you can do about |
| implemented many parts of the new brain fitness | | | | the road your on, especially if you're a baby boomer. |
| thinking (without knowing it) that is sweeping the | | | | Look at yourself and decide now to take responsibility |
| country today. If he instituted all of its elements, who | | | | for your health. You can build a small team around you |
| knows, dad may be dementia free today. | | | | that helps you with all your health plans. And it doesn't |
| It was just a few years ago I might have thought 87 | | | | need to end there. You can become emotionally and |
| was old, but I have since learned that we have many | | | | spiritually healthy as well. |
| ninety years olds among us and more than just a few | | | | Dad stayed in shape his whole life, ate a Mediteranean |
| hundred year olds also. | | | | style diet, stayed hydrated, laughed instead of cried |
| We are living longer! | | | | and generally kept a great attitude. If there was |
| But is living longer enough? Don't we want to live | | | | anything he could have done better years ago it would |
| better as well? | | | | have been to stay more active mentally. Crossword |
| It takes a well balanced approach toward one's health | | | | puzzles are great but constantly learning new things is |
| to age with vitality. But that approach has been taken | | | | really the answer. What, you say? How about a new |
| away from us. More than fifty years ago, fast foods | | | | language? Or maybe a musical instrument? |
| were introduced to our national family and we haven't | | | | Are you relying on the health care system to combat |
| slowed down since. Now we get our super sized | | | | your health concerns as you age? Take a proactive |
| portions through a window with twice the fat and half | | | | approach to wellness and start getting into shape now. |
| the nutrition. | | | | |