Healthy aging involves good habits, such as eating well, avoiding common medication errors, controlling health status, taking recommended screening tests, and staying active. The FDA has tips to help you age in a fabulous way.
1. eat healthy
Good nutrition and food security are especially important for the elderly. As you age, you may be more susceptible to foodborne illness and food poisoning. You must also make sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Follow these tips to help you choose healthy foods and ensure safe food handling.
2. Avoid common medication errors
Medications can treat health problems and help you live long and healthy lives. Used incorrectly, medications can also cause serious health problems. Use these resources to help you make informed decisions about prescription and over-the-counter medications.
It is important that you work with your health care provider to control health problems such as diabetes, osteoporosis and high blood pressure. Learn more about the drugs and devices used to treat these common health problems.
4. Get tested
Health exams are an important means of helping to recognize health problems, sometimes before showing signs or symptoms. Ask your health care provider which health tests are right for you and how often you should be tested.
5. Be active
Exercise and physical activity can help you stay fit and strong. You do not have to go to a gym for exercise. Talk to your health care provider about safe ways to stay active. See these resources from the FDA and our government partners.
1. eat healthy
Good nutrition and food security are especially important for the elderly. As you age, you may be more susceptible to foodborne illness and food poisoning. You must also make sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Follow these tips to help you choose healthy foods and ensure safe food handling.
- Food Safety Tips for the Elderly
- Sodium in your diet
- Use of the nutrition label
- Food Portion Size: Get a Reality Check
2. Avoid common medication errors
Medications can treat health problems and help you live long and healthy lives. Used incorrectly, medications can also cause serious health problems. Use these resources to help you make informed decisions about prescription and over-the-counter medications.
- 4 tips to help you use medications wisely (In español)
- My medications: a document administrator to help you keep track of your medications (En español)
- Medication and You: A Guide for Seniors
- Some medications and driving do not mix well
- Information about specific drugs
- Division of the tablet
- Buy drugs online
It is important that you work with your health care provider to control health problems such as diabetes, osteoporosis and high blood pressure. Learn more about the drugs and devices used to treat these common health problems.
- Heart health for women (In español)
- Hypertension (Spanish)
- Women and diabetes
- Women and depression (In español)
- Menopause
- Osteoporosis (in Spanish)
- Deal with memory loss
- Hearing aids
- Points to keep in mind when using a medical device at home
4. Get tested
Health exams are an important means of helping to recognize health problems, sometimes before showing signs or symptoms. Ask your health care provider which health tests are right for you and how often you should be tested.
- Mammograms (in Spanish) (other languages)
- Screening for colon cancer (In español)
- HIV test
- Other screening tests for women
5. Be active
Exercise and physical activity can help you stay fit and strong. You do not have to go to a gym for exercise. Talk to your health care provider about safe ways to stay active. See these resources from the FDA and our government partners.
- Go4Life: An Exercise and Physical Activity Campaign of the National Institute on Aging
- Physical activity for women
- Be clever in treating muscle pain: do not double the intake of acetaminophen (found in medications for muscle aches, headaches, colds and fever).
