As individuals get older, retire and settle into their later years, there are a lot of positive changes to embrace. Free time is opened up to spend with loved ones and to devote to hobbies that were always put on the backburner. In that same breath, however, there are also changes that happen in old age that might not be as welcomed. The aging process can bring about wrinkles and gray hair, and although these changes are expected, old age can also usher in other harder-to-spot changes.
Just as wrinkle cream and hair dye can improve what happens to the exterior, there are plenty of proactive measures to combat what’s taking place on the inside of the bo

dy.
Take the bones, joints and muscles, for example. According to the Mayo Clinic, bones tend to shrink in size and density as we get older. This process weakens them and makes them more susceptible to fracture. Some people might even become a bit shorter. Muscles, too, can lose strength and flexibility, resulting in less coordination and balance.
Implementing plenty of calcium and vitamin D into the diet is the first line of defense, but weight-bearing activities as simple as taking a walk will help to build bone density, as well.
“Consider strength training at least twice a week, too,” the Mayo Clinic suggests. “By stressing your bones, strength training increases bone density and reduces the risk of osteoporosis. Building muscle also protects your joints from injury and helps you maintain flexibility and balance.”
To learn more about how to maintain healthy bones, joints and muscles, talk to a Freedom Home Care caregiver. They’re always willing to help.