But misunderstandings about aging are greater than the number of older Kentuckians, especially when it comes to health and well-being.

"Society has many misconceptions about aging," says Dr. James O'Brien, a geriatrician (a physician specializing in aging) and professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. "Older people have a lot of misconceptions about aging. For example, our society believes that memory declines as people get older, and that this is a normal part of aging. That is not true. Usually when memory declines, it is a sign of an underlying medical condition. Yet an older woman may see a memory decline in her husband, think that is a normal part of aging, and not take him to a physician for it."

Many chronic diseases do tend to cluster in old age, says O'Brien, who cites heart disease, stroke, and malignancies as examples. Still, he says these are potentially treatable conditions where, in many instances, a reasonable quality of life can be restored.

So don't write off health problems as just a natural result of growing older. And, says O'Brien, older people have much more control over their health than they might think.

"There are genetic factors that can influence our longevity," he says. "There is also a risk factor for diseases that could prematurely end our lives or render us more disabled during old age, but most authorities believe that in terms of longevity, genetics accounts for only 20 to 30 percent of the likelihood of achieving health into 80s and 90s. Much of the risk is personal, environmental, and lifestyle."

Following are some tips on getting healthy, staying healthy, and helping aging parents do the same. It's sound advice regardless of how many candles are on your birthday cake.

Helping your parents
"The challenge for the adult children of aging parents is to balance autonomy with safety," says Dr. James O'Brien. "It is important that elderly parents be encouraged to function at the highest level possible. Adult children must try not to make them (parents) dependent by taking responsibilities away from them."
Here are four of O'Brien's tips for helping parents as they get older.

Encourage healthy living
Acknowledge that it is never too late to engage in healthy living.
"Many older adults have grown up in an environment where perhaps diets were less healthy and exercise was not that important," O'Brien says. "Smoking was an activity a lot of adults engaged in. Even if they are older, it is not too late to stop smoking or begin exercising. Encourage them to do that."

Love them
A comfortable relationship between parents and adult children can also have a significant effect, according to the physician.
"Begin by loving them in your heart," he says. "Have regular contact with them, and develop a comfortable relationship where there is enough openness for people to express feelings. If you notice any decline in their ability to do things, that should be a concern. Don't just chalk it up to getting older. Very often there is something a physician can do."

Ask Them for Help
Acknowledge and support their independence.
"Don't just assume that what older parents need from children is help," O'Brien says, "but realize your parents may be in a position to give and support and to be of assistance to others."

Be Prepared for Change
"When the time comes and it is appropriate, help parents with considering a change in their living environment, leaving their home and settling in where there is more assistance and support. The really good news is that this industry is exploding. There are all kinds of alternative living choices for older adults."

In Kentucky, the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) has started a new program that will be developing certifications for assisted-living facilities, according to AARP regional representative Laurel True, who is based in Shelbyville. The organization already has a regular program in which volunteers visit nursing homes and serve as advocates for residents.

Nine Basics for Aging Successfully
Dr. Nancy Stiles, a geriatrician and associate professor of medicine at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, suggests that the most simple, basic steps can be the most successful ones for long, healthy living. Here are nine of the biggies:

1. Build your own food pyramid
"Eat healthy" sounds like familiar advice, but there are surprises. While the basic nutritional guidelines found in the USDA's food pyramid are right for most people, Stiles recommends an individualized nutrition plan developed by a geriatrician or dietitian.

"As you get older, you may have underlying medical conditions that will do better if you select different foods," Stiles says. "For example, we have been taught to eat a lot of fiber, but some people may have a medical condition that causes them to lose their appetite. Although fiber is generally good, it is also very filling, and a lot of fiber may not be good for someone with a poor appetite."

The same with water. Stiles says the general recommendation to drink eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day could be too much for someone on certain medications that make it difficult for the body to maintain the proper chemical balance.

2. Be careful
Don't do high-risk things. For example, invest in a solid stepstool for the kitchen instead of climbing on the counter to get items out of reach. Hold onto the rail when going down steps. Young people fall doing these same things, Stiles notes, but a broken bone can be more incapacitating as we get older.

3. Be an activist for your health
Get a cancer screening. The age at which this needs to be done will vary with your family history, so check with your primary care physician. Also, have your height and weight checked, and maintain the proper body weight. Stiles further recommends a blood test to determine if you have adequate protein in your diet.

"As people get older, there is a tendency not to get enough protein," she says. Our society focuses on salt and cholesterol, but for older adults, not getting enough protein may be far more devastating. Although society's perception of red meat is bad, nutritionally it is one of the best sources for zinc. One-third of all older people have a low blood level of zinc, many because they stopped eating red meat.

4. Minimize medications
The fewer the better is the rule of thumb, but if your physician cannot treat a condition without the medicine, then you need to be taking the medicine, according to Stiles.

"Some conditions can be treated without medicine. For example, certain types of pain can be treated with heat therapy, massage, or an ointment with medicine in it that doesn't get in the system as much.

"Insomnia is another problem often treated with medication, but even sleep experts try to avoid medications because they can have significant side effects. If you can avoid taking medicine and treat the condition adequately, you may be better off without it.

"All of this should be done in active concert with your primary care physician. I don't want to give the impression that people should stop taking their blood pressure medicine."

5. Drive safely
Know the weather and driving conditions on the road to avoid driving in inclement weather. Also check out the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) website for more tips on driving safely: http://www.aarp.org.

6. Work on your attitude
If you are depressed, do something about it. Depression in older people doesn't always look the way you think it would. They may be smiling, but they don't feel like getting out with friends, and are not sleeping as well. These can be signs of depression.

7. Keep active
Use it or lose it, but have fun using it.

"When some people hear the word exercise, they think of 50 sit-ups," Stiles says. "That is the kind of boring routine that most people don't maintain. Then they feel like an exercise failure. Instead, look at what you enjoy doing now and find a way to incorporate additional physical activity.

"Research has shown if you exercise with someone else, and if you do it in the morning, you're more likely to stick with it. And you don't need to do it every day. Every other day is usually fine. Start walking with a friend once a week. For instance, start walking with a neighbor on Saturday mornings and do that until it is a routine part of your lifestyle."

8. Be social
Remain socially active. People with friends fare better.

9. Challenge your mind
Intellectual activity is also very important. There is no reason why many older adults cannot learn new information, develop new interests, or maintain old interests. For a good example, study the life of Picasso.

Embrace life. Live it up!

Tailoring your home to your needs
The American Association of Retired Persons says that sometimes your home can get to be like a favorite coat, noting that when a coat no longer fits, we take it to the tailor for alterations. A few simple alterations inside and outside our home can make it safer, more convenient, and more comfortable.

The AARP website (http://www.aarp.org) includes a section on modifying your home. Here are a few of the many suggestions they offer:

Consider replacing older, two-handle faucets in your bathroom and kitchen with easier-to-use single-lever type faucets that don't require twisting. Also consider an anti-scald hot-water valve on the bathtub. (Cost $60-$100)

Bathing can be a challenge to someone with a mobility problem. A seat designed for the bath or shower can allow you to enjoy bathing in comfort. Seats come in different sizes and style. Look for one that is strong, stable, and has rubber caps on the legs to prevent slipping. A transfer bench or a bath lift may be a better solution for someone with a more serious mobility problem.

Hallways and door frames are common barriers to someone who uses a wheelchair or walker. Accessible hall and doorways should have at least 32" clear width. You should have adequate space on both sides of a door to maneuver while opening and closing-at least 18-24" on the door handle side. Ideally, thresholds should be flush with the floor. A low threshold should be passable if it has beveled edges.

There is a lot more good information available on tailoring your home. A couple of free publications that may be particularly useful are:

Safety for Older Consumers
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, D.C. 20207
1-800-638-2772

The Doable Renewable Home: Making
Your Home Fit Your Needs (D12470)
AARP Fulfillment, Consumer Affairs
601 E Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20049
(202) 434-2277