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Show T’ai chi, used in hospitals and rehab centers, employs breathing and slow,fluid movementsto calm and heal., ie youhave now. Theanti-aging suggestionsoffered here are relevant recommend doctors basedontheir credentials. That's at everyage, because the aging process beginsthe mo- important, but only a small part of the story. ment you're born. Men and women in their 40s and 50s 7. Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously Learn how to laugh—atyourselffirst. And don’t sit should realize that “maturity” is only a hop,skip and jumpawayfrom“old.” The momentyou subconscious- you're a year closerto a fixed termination date. In sex—your anti-aging battle should begin. No one’s death should be preceded by yearsof feel- around mopingaboutyourage. Remember: Each new birthday is proofthat you're makingit. It does not mean fact, the older youget, the longer youwilllive. Life expectancy for a child born today is about 78 years, but that estimate is based on a certain numberof deaths during infancy, childhood andadolescence. Once you've made it into adultlife, your expectancy goes up. world, thin is not necessarily beautiful—but flabby andfat are unhealthy. si don’t ruminate about your inevitable demise. ate instead on enhancingthe quality ofthe nies. The best wayto find a good doctoris to ask your friends andrelatives. Hospitals and medical societies So, at 70, you can look forward not to the 78 years expected at birth but to 15 more years. At 90, you have more mileage left than you ever dreamed ofat 30. ly begin to compare your performance with that of someonein his or her 30s—insports, in business, in ing frail, enfeebled and infirm. Aim to make itat least into your 80s or 90s in possession of yourfaculties, feeling well and strong,abletoenjoyeach day, and anticipating tomorrow's dawn with pleasure. It is pos: sible. Live now, andyouwill grow old later. I believe that people who limit the meatin their di- ets are generally healthier than those who don’t, and not just because it reduces cholesterol or fat intake. Data from many countries suggest that health and longevity are linked to diets high in fruit, fish, grains and vegetables. If you enjoy an occasionaljuicysteak, have it—it won't kill you. But you're betteroffeating moreofthose other foods. 4. No Smoking I'd liketobe able totell my nicotine-addicted friends that it’s okay for them to smoke as long as they do everything else “right.” But I cannot ignore the ob- servations of doctors everywhere that the ranks of heart attack, stroke and cancervictimsarefilled with smokers. Tobacco accountsfor hundredsof thousands. of deaths each year in this country alone. New DEPEND* Protective Underwear Confidence never looked so good. Thin and fight for discreet protection Gentle waist elasocs pull-on easily 5. Limit Your Alcohol Intake You may have readthat booze in moderation does good thingsfor the heart and circulation. But don’t view alcohol as a medication. If you've never had a drink, don’t start now. Butif you canlimit yourselfto one or two drinksa day, and they help you relax, have noguilt. 6. Find a Good Doctor Built-in al panel cloth-like material, more like underwear Whatis a “good doctor”? Most primary-care physi cians have pretty muchthe samebase of knowledge What makes one “better” than another is compassion (especially for the elderly) andavailability. A smart doctor who isn’t available when needed is of no use to you, and neither is a physician to whomyou are just anotherprostate, heart or gallbladder. If your doctor is nihilistic about treating older per- sons, find a new one. I've heard colleagues say, “What Announcing revolutionary new DEPEND” Protective Underwear. They're a whole new style and shape that fit close to you for exceptional protection. They're light. comfortable and remarkably slim fitting. They're quiet do you expect? He’s 80!"—anattitudethat is all too commonin medical circles. The calendar should not determine the kind andintensity of treatment youre and nearly invisible under clothing. Theclosest thing ceive when you're sick. I’ ve hadpatients in their 90s to regular underwear you undergo successful heart surgery for control of their can buy™ symptomsand enjoya better quality oflife for sever al more years Solo practitioners are hardto find these days, since many doctors, for economic reasons, have joined larg er groups or gone to work for managed-care compa PARADE MAGAZINE «MAY 23, 1999 PAGE 15 Available in two mzes! Get all you wantout oflife... with Depend” Consyh yourdo doctor about bladdercor control problems. 1998 Kamba ik Adaptedfrom “Live Now. Age Later.” by Dr. adore Rosenfeld. Copyright O10 by Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, Printed with permission of Warner Books, In |