The State of Aging and Health in America 2013

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published the "The State of Aging and Health in America 2013" report. This report gives a "snapshot of our nation’s progress in promoting prevention, improving the health and well-being of older adults, and reducing behaviors that contribute to premature death and disability." Some of the highlights of the report include:

• By 2030, older adults will make up 20% of the U.S. population.
• Two out of three older adults have multiple chronic conditions.
• The United States has met six of the health targets from the Healthy People 2020 targets for older adults.
• The flu vaccination goal is 90%, but the actual vaccination rate for older adults this past year was 66.9%

You can read more by clicking here to access this report.

In addition, report describes 15 key indicators of older adult health for people and 65 and above and provides data on these indicators for each state. You can get data about your state, or about selected cities within each state, by clicking here for the Healthy Aging Data Portfolio. Here are some of the statistics for the Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater area (including Pasco County):

• 21.4% of age 65 or older are obese.
• 32.2% of age 65 or older had a fall with injury in the past year.
• 11.3% of age 65 or older currently smoke.
•  39% of age 65 and older had a disability.

National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. The Administration on Aging reported that  influenza and pneumonia were the seventh leading causes of death among people age 65 and older in 2010. According to CDC data, 63.6% of individuals aged 65 and above received an influenza vaccination in 2010, but only 41% of adults aged 50-64 years received this vaccination. You can find out about recommended vaccines by clicking here for a CDC chart with recommendations based on age.

National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month.  The Administration on Aging has listed the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended immunizations for Older Adults age 65 and older:

• Seasonal Influenza
• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) (for adults up to 64 years, one lifetime dose)
• Shingles (for adults 60 years and older)
• Pneumococcal disease (for adults 65 years and older and adults with specific health conditions)

The complete 2011 CDC recommended adult vaccination schedule can be found here.

Coping With the Summer Heat

We are entering the hot summer months in Florida and it is important to prevent heat stroke and heat exhaustion.  Older Adults (aged 65 and older) are more susceptible to heat stress than younger people and older adults may also be taking medications that decrease their ability to regulate their body temperature.  Here are some tips from the Administration on Aging to stay safe in the heat:

• drink more fluids (but avoid drinks with lots of sugar or alcohol)
• stay indoors as much as possible
• electric fans help some, but are not helpful if the temperature is in the high nineties
• take a cool shower or bath
• if you do not have air conditioning, consider visiting a public library or mall
• never leave anyone in a closed and parked vehicle

If you become very overheated, you may get heat stroke.  This serious illness occurs when the body can not regulate its temperature anymore and the body stops sweating.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists these symptoms for heat stroke:

• high body temperature - above 103 degrees
• hot dry skin
• rapid pulse
• dizziness
• nausea
• throbbing headache

For more information, on heat stress in Older Adults, you can click here.