Unhealthy Trends and Myths Among the Elderly

My grandparents lived well into their eighth and ninth decades. They were happy, healthy and remarkably well preserved. They woke up early every day, ate a healthy breakfast and went off to attend to daily chores despite their advanced age. Their days were spent toiling on the farm (despite their children’s protests that they would provide everything for them and they need not work) and every evening they went home with farm produce to prepare for their supper. After an evening of banter with their grandchildren, they would then retire to bed early in preparation for the next day. They avoided alcohol except on special occasions and even then, it was taken in moderation. Obesity was unheard of amongst my grandparents and their peers. All this, in the 21st Century.

The scene described above still happens in some parts of Kenya. However, we are slowly descending into an unhealthy trend. There is a slow but definite decline in the lifestyle and quality of life amongst our elderly. This decline has largely been perpetuated by myths.

Our current diet is laden with hidden salts, sugar and unhealthy fat. Most of the foods we ingest contain little fibre, which is needed for a healthy digestive system. It is also low in vital elements such as vitamin B and calcium. Elements such as calcium are essential for healthy bones and therefore, lack of this element can lead to brittle bones and abnormal spine curvature (stooping). Calcium is also needed for healthy teeth. The best diet for seniors is one that is rich in fibre (fruits, vegetables, cereals), calcium, healthy oils and low in salt and processed sugar. Most elderly people avoid high fluid intake due to concerns about urinary continence. However, unless prohibited by your doctor due to health problems, most seniors should be able to take in at least 2 litres of fluid a day.

It is not unusual to find seniors who have stopped taking their medication for diabetes or high blood pressure because, once their readings became normal, they thought that they were cured and stopped taking their medication. Often, these seniors present to the hospital in a crisis when their health condition is potentially life threatening. A few unfortunate cases have presented with a stroke, heart attack or in a coma. In most cases, medication for conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes is life-long. People who have successfully been weaned off their medication have managed due to drastic changes in their lifestyle including weight loss. One should never stop their treatment because they have been ‘cured’. The normal readings you get after using the medication for a while mean that the medication is working – it does not mean that you have been cured.