Our Top Ten Tips from help the aged

Here's a quick summary of how to age well! Think about your lifestyle and what you can do to give added life to your years.

Take more exercise. Studies have shown that 'exercise deficiency syndrome' is the biggest risk we face as we get older. Exercise not only makes us feel fitter, more alert and younger, it also prevents many of the disabling conditions we associate with later life. Find out how much exercise you need.
Give up smoking. It's the biggest single risk to your health after inactivity. It's not just lungs and hearts that are at risk, smoking will slow down your rate of healing. That's bad news if you need an operation or injure yourself. Call the NHS smoking helpline on 0800 169 0169 for help and advice.
Keep socially and mentally active. Having a strong network of family and friends and a range of activities is vital to your health. The best remedy we have for some of the mental problems of older age is to keep on challenging the grey matter. Brain power can last as long as we do but appears to work best when it's stretched.
Drink more water. Many of us are slightly dehydrated. This interferes with digestion (leading to constipation) and other processes, and it fogs up the brain. Drink a variety of drinks to keep your water intake up (you can't beat water itself!). Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics so they increase the amount of water that you excrete - however you still take in more liquid than you lose from a cup of tea, coffee or a cola-type soft drink.
Get outdoors as often as possible. For exercise and because exposure to light - especially sunshine - is vital for our body clocks and vitamin D levels. Lack of vitamin D makes development of the bone disease osteoporosis more likely. Getting outdoors is important for social reasons too - it keeps us in touch with the world.
Eat lots more fruit and vegetables. These are nature's anti-ageing remedy, protecting us from many of the diseases we associate with later life. We can't stress how vital this is. See healthy eating for more information.
If you drink alcohol - little and often will do you the most good! People who regularly drink small amounts of alcohol tend to live longer than people who don't drink at all. Alcohol helps prevent coronary heart disease in people who are at a stage of life when coronary heart disease is a risk. For men this is over the age of 40 and for women it's after the menopause. The health benefits come from regularly drinking small amounts; the maximum benefit is achieved by drinking between one and two units of alcohol a day.
Make your home safe. There is no point in living a healthy lifestyle if you're surrounded by risks like loose rugs and dodgy wiring. Clear your home of things that can trip you up (read more ways to prevent falls). Increase the level of lighting everywhere (you should have 400 watts in every room) - especially on the stairs - so you can see properly. Always get gas and electric appliances installed or checked by a qualified person.
See your GP when you are not well. Don't put up with health problems on the grounds of 'age' or assume that older age means nothing can be done. Age is no more the 'cause' of illness than youth is the cause of, say, chickenpox. Don't be fobbed off with a second-rate service either - we are entitled to good healthcare at any age, including a second opinion. Doctors are not magicians but they can cure or alleviate most things. See your dentist and optician regularly too.
Be positive. This gives us a rosier view of life, and boosts our immune system as well. Every day, spend 20 minutes focused on a really uplifting thought or memory - you will feel better and your immune system will get a boost. Be positive about your wants and needs too - studies show that longevity appears to be linked to a determination to stay in control.