Choices

We are all getting older

            As a nation, soon 20 percent of our American population will be over 65.  While that is really not so old, in a few years, 20 percent of our population will be over 80 years old. Certainly, there are some Americans who chose healthy, life-long habits such as not smoking, exercising regularly, drinking lots of water daily, eating a diet high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables. However, many have chosen not to take self-responsibility for their health. Aging itself takes a toll on your health. Major organs such as the liver and kidneys just do not work as well. Now, for those who have made healthy choices and continue to be active, both physically and mentally, their bodies adapt and they enjoy a decent level of health. 

What the studies tell us about aging and health 

            Anyone remember your mom saying, “You are what you eat!” This might have been when you were choosing those ding-dongs (chocolate dipped cupcakes) and soda, and passing up an apple with a smidgen of peanut butter with a glass of low fat milk. Research shows that so many disease processes are linked to our diets. We really are what we eat!

 

Just one example ...

            When someone in their forties or older comes in to the emergency room, complaining of left abdominal pain, do you know what it is from? Diverticulitis ... when diverticula in the digestive tract becomes inflamed or infected. Diverticula are bulging pouches that form in the digestive system, usually in the large intestines. Why does this happen? Because the person already has Diverticulosis...those pouches that formed in the intestines. Those pouches form simply because a person is not eating a high fiber diet, rich with grains, fruits, and vegetables, staying well hydrated (for most of us that means drinking 8 glasses of water daily), and regularly exercising.

            In other words, we eat every day; therefore, we need to poop every day. It is when those waste products stay in the intestines too long, that the pouches begin to form. Then, eating certain foods, particularly with seeds, such as tomatoes, popcorn, or strawberries, and the seeds can become embedded in the pouches and a full-fledged infection begins.  After the initial episodes of diverticulitis where one rests the digestive tract with only clear liquids, the diet then needs to be rich in high fiber foods for the rest of that person’s life. There was a 17 year study published on this recently that showed it is okay to eat foods with seeds as long as it is part of a high fiber diet.

What can you do?

            Encourage those who you love to make healthy life style choices and lead by example yourself. This will help you and those you love enter that 80 plus crowd in a healthy state, allowing you and loved ones time to discuss those end of life plans.

                                                                                                   

When is it time to have the talk?

Although talking about end of life issues can be a very delicate subject, approaching it with any family member can bring about all sorts of emotions, sooner or later, the talk will occur.  Ideally, it occurs during a time when family members have a chance to talk, discuss, ponder, even seek guidance from a spiritual leader or trusted healthcare provider.  However, many are just so uncomfortable with the topic of death; they just use avoidance as their coping tool. The problem is that when a decision needs to be made, during a highly emotional, critical time when moments count, is when the discussion usually takes place.

Is it ever the right time?

            I have to hold back my laughter sometimes when speaking during a non-emergent time period with family when I ask if their loved one has a living will and if they have had this discussion. Almost each and every time, the answer is no. Age does not matter; I cannot tell you how many times I have had this talk with family members whose loved one is approaching 100 years of age. Usually, then I will ask the family when they were planning to have this talk – once their loved one hit 100 or was there some special time frame they had in mind.

Sometimes less is better

            Sometimes when the question is asked of the family, their aged loved one is critically ill. Most of the time because of advanced age and multiple health problems, we cannot fix the patient. No, but we can make that person comfortable as he or she leaves this world. Often though since the family has never discussed such matters, they want everything done. Why it is the American Way to have the most, the best of whatever it is that one can have.

            Only when family members are present and I explain in gruesome detail what I am doing to the loved one, the pain I am causing, the distress...only then will the family say enough!  Then, I can concentrate on making the last days or hours on this earth comfortable, even peaceful. But, how much better would it be just not to put that aged loved one through all the pain until, that is, their family is ready.