Aging

The Boston Senior Civic Academy, organized by the city’s Elderly Commission and researchers from University of Massachusetts-Boston’s Gerontology Institute, included visits to city, state and federal government buildings and opportunities to meet and hear from more than 40 people who help craft policies that affect aging in Boston.

Many older adults assume that vaccinations are for young kids only. But with the development of new vaccines, such as Zoster for shingles, and the waning protection of the immune system, those 60 and older are advised to get protection against a variety of communicable diseases.

There are five vaccines that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices currently recommends for older people. Three of the shots — for shingles, pneumonia and a booster for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) — are administered once, while protection against the flu and tetanus/diphtheria are administered at regular intervals.

The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases is on the rise in older adults due in part to the high divorce rate. Older adults are less inclined to use condoms, which they tend to associate with protection against pregnancy rather than protection against STDs.

A daily eating plan should include a variety of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low-fat proteins, such as legumes. Nuts and olive oil are good choices of health fats. The amount of food depends on one’s age, gender and physical activity.

T’ai chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, consists of a series of controlled and deliberate movements called forms. T’ai chi is recommended for people of all ages, particularly older adults, to increase strength, flexibility and stamina. Research has found that it also improves the mood.

Although common, depression in the elderly is not a normal part of aging. Many factors, including poor health and poor nutrition, lack of exercise and isolation can worsen the condition. Yearly screening for depression is now offered at no cost for Medicare recipients.

Salmon, especially sockeye salmon, as well as other fatty fish, such as mackerel and sardines, is a good source of vitamin D. The vitamin, in combination with calcium, helps increase bone density, or bone strength. Bone density decreases with age.

Dr. Jatin Dave, a geriatrician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and medical director of geriatrics at Tufts Health Plan, answers questions about aging.

Since many chronic diseases occur more frequently in older adults, certain screenings and preventive services are recommended well into one’s senior years. It is best to develop with your doctor a screening program that fits your medical condition and family history.

Several factors can increase a person’s risk for falling. Some factors, such as unsteadiness when walking, are more obvious. But many people are unaware that more subtle factors, such as depression or fear of falling, can increase the risk as well.

It is possible to improve or maintain one’s balance by regularly practicing balancing exercises, such as standing on one foot or heel-to-toe walking. Good balance lessens the probability of a fall, which can result in a permanent disability.