September is Healthy Aging Month, an annual observance that deserves more attention this year as the nation deals with a pandemic unlike anything we have experienced for a century. Medical Author Dr. William W. Shiel, Jr. defines aging as the process of becoming older. Aging is not the same for any two people, due to factors including lifestyle, environment and family genetics. According to medical experts, the first signs of aging appears on the surface of the skin during the mid-20s.

More than 80,000 Americans are over the age of 100 and 20,000 have surpassed their 105th birthday, two statistics that continue to grow. Many remain active and live independently. Both major party candidates for president this year are more than 70 years of age.

Aging has been called the greatest known risk factor for most human diseases and can be either physical or psychological. Approximately 150,000 people die daily worldwide, two thirds of which are from age-related issues. Older adults and those who have underlying health conditions such as heart and lung issues and diabetes are at increased risk of severe illness, including COVID-19. Adults 65 years of age and older account for 16 percent of the nations population, but 80 percent of COVID-19 deaths claim this group of people.

The pandemic has resulted in increased stress in the lives of all Americans, and, in particular, those who are older or confined to home.

The effects of stress include:

Needless fear and worry about ones healthChanges in sleep or eating patternsDifficulty concentratingWorsening of chronic health problemsWorsening of mental health conditionsIncreased use of tobacco and/or alcohol

Stories regarding accomplishments of older Americans are more frequent these days and serve as encouragement for all. In 2014, 90-year-old Ernie Andrus walked, or as he said, "jogged" across America to honor the ship he served on during World War I. That same year, former President George H.W. Bush, to celebrate his 90th birthday, parachuted out of an airplane, smiling all the way to the ground, as his frightened family watched nearby.

Locally, Judge Wesley Brown, appointed a federal judge in 1962, served one-year shy of a half-century before passing away in 2011 at the age of 104. In an Associated Press interview on the year of his death, Judge Brown was asked to explain his longevity as a member of the federal judiciary, and his response was brief, to the point, and similar to his traditional courtroom demeanor. "As a federal judge, I was appointed for life or good behavior, whichever I lose first," Brown said. In a follow-up question, the reporter asked how he planned to exit the job, he said, "Feet first."

So, what advice can a healthcare professional possibly give to hearty souls to ensure they will continue healthy living, particularly in these unprecedented times? Keep masks, tissues, and hand sanitizer in your possession when venturing out. If possible, avoid others who are not wearing masks. Ask others around you to wear masks. Make certain your vaccinations and other preventive services are current, stay physically active and practice healthy habits to cope with stress. People of all ages who adhere to these precautionary measures will hasten the day when COVID-19 will be an event of the past. That day could not come any too soon.

Ken Johnson is President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System.

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Healthy Aging Month observed nationwide in September - News - The Hutchinson News