Your bones, joints and muscles With age, bones tend to shrink in size and density, weakening them and making them more susceptible to fracture. You might even become a bit shorter. Muscles generally lose strength, endurance and flexibility — factors that can affect your coordination, stability and balance.
Less leg muscles and stiffer joints can make moving around harder. Excess body fat and changes in body shape can affect your balance. These body changes can make falls more likely. Changes in total body weight vary for men and women.
What age is considered “old” in other countries? Most of Europe have similar views of old age to the World Health Organisation, believing old age starts at 65 years of age. In America, one researcher found that you are considered old at 70 to 71 years of age for men and 73 to 73 for women.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), healthy seniors should walk 7,000 – 10,000 steps per day. That's an average of three to three and a half miles throughout the course of a day.
People's health in their 70s varies a lot. Some people are completely healthy while others have multiple illnesses. No matter what your condition, there is a lot you can do to improve your health, prevent illnesses, and keep your brain sharp.
The major cause of death in the 55-64 age group is cancer followed by heart disease and injury. In the 75+ age group, the leading cause shifts to heart disease, and injury drops below Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cerebrovascular diseases, and pneumonia.
Exercise is good for everyone at every age, but it becomes increasingly important the older we get. While regular physical exercise isn't a magical fountain of youth, it IS one of the most powerful things we can do to keep ourselves feeling young and healthy into our 70's and beyond.
Recommended daily steps for adults over 65
As with every other age group, reaching your daily step count is important, so it's worth aiming for somewhere between 3,000 and 10,000 steps depending on your current activity levels and general health.
Find a distance and pace that's comfortable for you, and then set realistic goals for increasing your steps as your abilities improve. Many experts agree that the recommended steps per day for seniors is 7,000-10,000.
Adults aged 65 and older need: At least 150 minutes a week (for example, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week) of moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking. Or they need 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity such as hiking, jogging, or running. At least 2 days a week of activities that strengthen muscles.
As we get older, we still have a need for closeness and companionship. Many older people find themselves newly single, or simply decide now's the time to find a partner. Whether you're separated, bereaved, or have been single for some time, it's never too late to start a new relationship.
Aging skin looks thinner, paler, and clear (translucent). Pigmented spots including age spots or "liver spots" may appear in sun-exposed areas. The medical term for these areas is lentigos. Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity.
Eat Foods High in Protein
Instead, go on a high-protein diet, with plenty of lean meats or quinoa. Many vegetables also are high in protein! Boost your energy and protein levels with boiled eggs, which also give you Vitamin D. A diet low in fat and high in protein does wonders for seniors!
Skin becomes loose and sagging, bones lose their mass, and muscles lose their strength as a result of time spent living life. Most people begin to notice a shift in the appearance of their face around their 40's and 50's, with some also noticing a change in their 30's.
However, as we age, many may notice their energy levels aren't as high as they once were – suddenly afternoon naps become even more appealing. In fact, according to a study by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2010, nearly a third of people aged 51 and up experience fatigue.
New study says decline begins in our 50s
Be proactive about your strength, balance and endurance as you age.
Learn to build strength and improve balance reactions for a faster walking pace. The average speed is 2.6 mph for 70s folks who don't need a cane or walker, but three mph is the pace needed to match the average adult walking speed and to cross the street with time to spare at a traffic light.
Older adults who walk three to four miles a day — 6,000 to 9,000 steps — were found to be 40 to 50 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those who walk a mile (2,000 steps) a day, according to research published in the journal Circulation.
Volume remains important, she says. The current federal exercise guidelines suggest 30 minutes of brisk walking most days, which would translate into 3,000 steps taken at the 100-steps-per-minute pace.
The recommendation may be slightly lower for older adults. For example, a study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that older females who took between 4,400 and 7,500 steps per day experienced a lower risk of all-cause mortality than people who took under 2,700 steps per day.
Popular fitness trackers and pedometers encourage people to take 10,000 steps per day, and one 2016 study agrees that 10,000 steps are ideal. This works out to roughly 5 miles of walking. People interested in walking for weight loss should consistently hit at least 10,000 steps each day.
This means that adults ages 59 and younger can benefit the most from 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day, and adults ages 60 and older have the most benefits from taking 6,000 to 8,000 steps per day. These findings are based on longevity so for other health benefits, walking more can still be beneficial.