The Aging Process

The aging process encompasses many changes that can alter a person's lifestyle. As we grow older, our physical health, as well as our mental and psychological health, is affected through the changes we go through.

Howver, it's important to remember that chronological ageneedn't represent biological age. And, there are steps you can take to make your body perform as if it were years younger than your actual age. The benefits of such a lifestyle can improve the quality of overall health, as well as a higher quality of life.

Take the Aging Test

Multicare Specialists of Fort Myers is committed to health and wellness through a lifestyle that decreases the effects of aging. Take these simple tests to see how your lifestyle is impacting your overall chronological age, and how your age and wellness could be improved.

If you agree with the following statements, jot down the predetermined number of points listed for each question. If you do not agree, jot down a zero. Add up the jotted down numbers to determine your total score.

1. I feel like I'm getting old (+2)
2. I have trouble maintaining my optimal weight (+3)
3. My body fat percentage has increased (+3)
4. My cholesterol has increased (+2)
5. My HDL cholesterol level has decreased (+3)
6. My LDL cholesterol level has increased (+3)
7. Although I'm active, my muscle tone has decreased (+2)
8. My strength and stamina are not what they were when I was 35 (+1)
9. I have more aches and pains than I did when I was 35 (+1)
10. My desire for sex has diminished (+3)
11. In general, my energy level has decreased (+2)
12. I have trouble sleeping (+1)
13. My vision is not as good as it was when I was 35 (+1)
14. I feel depressed and anxious once a week (+1)
15. I have more trouble concentrating than I did when I was 35 (+2)
16. My memory is not as good as it was when I was 35 (+2)
17. I am losing my hair (+2)
18. My skin is more dry and wrinkled than it used to be (+3)
19. I have developed osteoporosis (+3)

Total Score

If your score is:

Less than 9, you may or may not yet be a candidate for therapy, depending on which questions you answered affirmatively. We would be happy to discuss your concerns over the telephone.

9 to 20, you appear to be experiencing some of the symptoms of aging; this may be a good time to have a comprehensive evaluation to determine the need for treatment.

21 to 30, you would probaby benefit from a thorough evaluation to determin an individualized treatment program for your optimal health and prevention of other signs of aging.

Answer Yes or No to these Questions

1. Do you have reduced lean body mass?
2. Do you have increased body fat?
3. Do you lack a positive sense of well being?
4. Do you have a reduced energy and vitality?
5. Is your waist measurement greater than it was 10 years ago?
6. Is your hip measurement greater than it was 10 years ago?
7. Do you notice reduced muscle strength over the past 10 years?
8. Do you notice a reduced ability to exercise?
9. Do you notice increased levels of depression?
10. Do you feel increased levels of anxiety over the past decade?
11. Do you feel stressed out at times?
12. Are you generally pessimistic about life?
13. Are you quick to get angry?
14. Do you have difficulty focusing and concentrating?
15. Do you look older than people your age?
16. Do you feel tired when you wake up in the morning?
17. Are you less social than in the past?
18. Have you noticed a decline in your sexual performance?
19. Do you have trouble sleeping?
20. Does it take longer for you to fall asleep?
21. Do you have more difficulty thinking clearly and remembering?
22. Do you have a decreased HDL cholesterol?
23. Do you have an increased LDL cholesterol?
24. Do you have a deficiency in DHEA or melatonin?
25. Has your vision diminished over the past decade?
26. Has your hearing diminished over the past decade?
27. Does it take a long time for you to get over the cold or flu?
28. Does it take a long time for cuts or bruises to heal?
29. Is your blood pressure borderline or high?
30. Do you suffer from indigestion?
31. Do you often fail to have regular bowel movements?
32. Do you get up at night to urinate?
33. Are you slowly losing your hair?
34. Do you have food or inhalant allergies?
35. Do you have white spots on your fingernails?
36. Do you have longitudinal ridges on your fingernails?
37. Do your fingernails appear thin and weak?
38. Do you have more headaches than a decade ago?
39. Do you have cold hands and feet?
40. Do you have reduced mental performance over the past decade?

If you answered "yes" to more than 10 of these questions, your biological age is the same or greater than your chronological age. If you've answered "yes" to more than half these questions, there is a large gap between your biological age and your chronological age - indicating your body is aging too fast. Ideally we want to set a goal to lower our biological age by 10, 20 and even 30 years below our chronological age.

If you'd like more information on how you can lengthen your biological and your chronological age, as well as improving your overall quality of health, call Multicare Specialists of Fort Myers to find out more. Just call 239.415.1900 to find out how you can make your life longer, healthier and more productive.