SOSMagAprilJune2021

By Sue Daugherty This article is a continuation of my interview with Dr. Ardeshir Hashmi, MD, Cleveland Clinic Endowed Chair for Geriatric Innovation and a champion for successful aging. The topic is how our body changes with age. Changes, which have nothing to do with disease, yet are physiological changes that proliferate between the ages of 65 and 80+. Muscles change with age despite being a healthy adult. For those who have managed to look the same and maybe even weigh the same over the years… Underneath our skin, the body’s composition is changing as we grow older. The condition is called Sarcopenia or muscle loss. This is when muscles get smaller and the body becomes weaker. As muscles shrink in size the quantity of fat tissue increases, replacing muscle tissue. If nothing is done to prevent Saropenia, an older person can lose their functional health and independent lifestyle. MUSCLE: What You Ought to Know About Your Aging Muscles One way to tell that muscle loss is taking place, is when changes occur in the way a person walks. As muscle size diminishes there is less muscle to lift the feet high enough off the floor, over a curb or step. If one is accidently pushed, it takes less force to cause him/her to stumble or fall. This is not a change to accept as part of being older. It’s a sign that it’s time to talk to a doctor about doing some weight bearing exercises to correct this problem and eating enough protein to help build the muscle that’s being lost. Geriatricians are experts at diagnosing and ordering the proper treatment for Sarcopenia. According to Hashmi, “Protein in the diet to rebuild muscle is critically important along with some sort of weight bearing exercise that is done every single day. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes a day, it will help a lot to retain your muscle.” Contact Serving Our Seniors (Mail@ServingOurSeniors.org or 419-624-1856) and ask for the booklet, Growing Stronger: Strength Training for Older Adults. Or find it on the CDC website. The Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties has received Covid-19 Relief Funds to help those who qualify. Serving Our Seniors recognizes that more people who reach full retirement age cannot afford to stop working. If you have been negatively impacted by Covid-19, there is help. The Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron, & Richland Counties has funding to provide rental assistance/mortgage assistance and/or water & sewer bills. Covid Relief Available Serving Our Seniors has the check list for eligibility. To see if you qualify, Erie County residents, age 60+ may call Serving Our Seniors ( 419-624-1856 ) ask for a Senior Advocate Assistant; or you may call The Community Action Commission at 419-901-8927 . Ask to speak with Tim Brown. Janice Warner, Director Tim Brown, Programs Coordinator 21