Golden Years Have More Glow in Golden State

California seniors are healthier than many of their counterparts across the nation but still need to exercise more often and increase their intake of fruits and vegetables, federal health officials say.

The state’s 65-and-older population does a good job getting dental care, vaccinations, mammograms, and colon and rectal screenings, placing them among the top third of states on these health measures in a recent “report card” issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

They also keep their weight down, shun cigarettes and get help for psychological problems at rates higher than half the nation. But even with the good grades, aging Californians can do better, said Maggie Moore, a public health advisor for the CDC.

Incorporating more exercise and a healthier diet into their daily lives is key, Moore said.

“The best thing older adults can do for themselves is to become physically active,” she said. “It has so many physical, mental and financial benefits.”

And Mom’s advice holds true, she said: Eat your vegetables.

The annual report, begun in 2000, measures state-by-state progress in promoting health in older adults, Moore said. Merck Institute of Aging & Health, a nonprofit group that promotes geriatric education, worked with the federal agency on the project.

Before its inception, there were no consistent benchmarks for gauging health among seniors, one of the fastest-growing segments of society, Moore said.

“Healthy aging is a new area for public health and is becoming a bigger issue,” she said. “So we need to keep track of what we are doing.”

The CDC is encouraging states and local governments to conduct similar studies, identifying areas where seniors would benefit from health programs. Moore said it is easy, for example, for communities to start a mall walkers program.

The Glendale Galleria kicked off its “Stride With Pride” initiative a year ago, opening its doors to exercisers each morning before stores open. One loop around the massive mall is about a mile, said Gus Salcido, 85, who walks with his wife, also 85, three times a week.

“We do two loops in about 40 minutes, then do some cooling down exercises,” said Salcido, a Glendale resident. “It’s our way of getting exercise.”

Galleria managers bring in doctors from nearby Glendale Adventist Medical Center to talk to seniors about preventing arthritis, heart disease and other ailments, said Sheryl Craig, a mall spokeswoman.

Aside from the health benefits, older adults are attracted to the program by the opportunity to socialize.

“We know all the regulars,” Salcido said. “We’ll stop and chat about the world, the weather -- whatever comes to mind. It’s nice.”

Poor health need not be an inevitable consequence of aging, health experts say. With healthy lifestyles and good preventive care, seniors can avoid many of the chronic diseases that plague older Americans, they say.

Nationwide, the average 75-year-old has three chronic conditions, such as heart disease, osteoporosis or diabetes, and uses five prescription drugs, the study found. Unless something is done, the economic burden of providing healthcare for the baby boom generation will explode, officials say.

Besides exercise and good nutrition, prevention measures include taking care of teeth and getting regular flu shots and cancer screenings, health officials said. Although many screenings are covered by Medicare, just one-third of older Americans take advantage of them.

In California, the numbers are higher, with 80.7% of older women getting regular mammograms and 62.2% of both sexes getting colon and rectal screenings. Cholesterol checks are sought by 82.6% of older Californians.

The state also has fewer smokers, about 9.9% of seniors, compared with the 16.9% who smoke in Kentucky, the nation’s highest rate. Kentucky also has the highest incidence of seniors who have lost all their teeth, 42.5%.

By contrast, California and Hawaii tied as the states with the fewest number of seniors who have experienced complete tooth loss, 13.2%.

It’s an important measure of broader health, a state health official said, because good dental care and healthy living go hand in hand.

“Our population realizes the importance of nutrition and health,” said David F. Nelson, a fluoridation consultant for the state’s Office of Oral Health. “And good nutrition depends on how long you keep your teeth.”

Nelson credits education initiatives on the benefits of tooth-brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups for the state’s high scores. Fluoride toothpaste, and in some areas fluoridated water, also help make a difference, he said.

In Southern California, the cities of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Huntington Beach, Long Beach and Fountain Valley provide residents with fluoridated water, Nelson said. The state hopes to expand fluoridation programs, he said.

“Fluoride works much better in seniors than in children,” he said. “It’s far more effective in the area of root decay.”