In this issue
50
AS A PRIMARY care physician, I tell my patients to think of
health and wellness as a journey, not a destination. Much as
we might hope otherwise, there’s no fxed, permanent state
of wellness that we can reach that allows us to stop doing the
things that got us there. Things like exercising regularly, paying
attention to what we eat, maintaining a healthy weight, having
regular health checkups, getting the proper amount of rest and
nurturing our spirits will always be important.
The health and wellness journey lasts a lifetime and changes
as we get older. Today’s average 65-year-old man and woman can
expect to live to be 81 and 85, respectively. More than 17 percent
of 65-year-old men and 31 percent of 65-year-old women are expected to live to be 90 or
older. That means we should try to avoid certain pitfalls of aging.
For example, after age 50, we can start to lose muscle tissue. So it’s important
to add resistance training to our exercise regimen to avoid losing strength and lean
muscle mass.
Whether you’re a 30-something just trying to stay in shape or a 70-something
thinking of taking up tai chi, it’s never too late to start the journey to a healthier—
and happier—life. The foundation of tomorrow’s health is built with today’s choices.
Tom Ewing, MD
Chief Medical Offcer
PeaceHealth Medical Group
Copyright © 2011 Coffey Communications, Inc.
CUM27145h
PUBLISHED QUARTERLY • FALL 2011
PEACEHEALTH is a non-proft, integrated health care organization
with facilities in Alaska, Oregon and Washington.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace bought the hospital known
today as Sacred Heart Medical Center, University District, in 1936.
In Lane County, PeaceHealth has grown to include four hospitals
and numerous primary, specialty and urgent care locations
throughout the area. PeaceHealth offers many additional services
to the community, including home health and hospice as well
as various support groups and wellness classes. Learn more at
www.peacehealth.org.
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this free community health publication,
call 541-686-6868 and provide your name and mailing address.
Information in HEALTH CONNECTION comes from a wide range of
medical experts, but this publication is not intended to provide medical
advice and is not a substitute for a visit to a health professional. If you
have immediate health care concerns, please consult your personal
physician. Models may be used in photos and illustrations.
Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc.
6
10
To 50 and beyond
Follow this road map to
maintaining good health as
you get older.
What’s on
your plate?
A handy new guide to
building a healthy meal.
Signs of stroke
Do you know how to tell
if you or someone else is
having a stroke? Learn
when it’s time to call 911.
The journey
of a lifetime
Follow us on Twitter
www.twitter.com/peacehealth_ore
Find us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/PeaceHealthOregon
Read us on Wordpress
www.peacehealthblog.org/oregon
Watch us on YouTube
www.youtube.com/PeaceHealthOregon
Tom Ewing, MD
13
2
Health Connection