How do social factors affect aging?
A. Staying connected to the community, family, friends, etc. is very important for aging well and for long life. Social isolation at older ages is a risk factor for early death. Hobbies, volunteer activities, clubs, and close personal relationships are indicators of people who feel connected to something or someone they value. Q. What about exercise in the elderly? A. Exercise is critical at all ages, and perhaps especially at older ages. A sedentary lifestyle is strongly associated with heart disease. In addition, a certain degree of muscle strength is needed to be able to avoid falls, to get up from the floor after a fall, to arise out of a chair or bathtub, and to do basic grooming skills. Thus both cardiovascular and strength building and maintaining exercises play an important role in healthy aging. Q. Many older applicants take several medications. How do medications affect the risk for life insurance? A. Medication use tends to increase with age. In the elderly, medication inter
