| Staying healthy as you age | Staying healthy as you age | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Staying%20healthy%20as%20you%20age%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClass9B72A835E21E4ABEAA3B9E5BED3C16B3"><p>As you grow older, your quality of life depends very much on the state of your health and your fitness levels. The following guidelines will help you to look after your body and mind and stay healthy.</p></div> | <h2 class="sectHeading">Regular check-ups</h2><p>An annual medical check-up can detect a number of health problems and diseases before they become a problem. When you reach 60 years of age a regular check-up becomes essential. </p><h4>A GP (general practitioner) can look at the following during an annual medical check-up:</h4><ul><li>Body Mass Index (BMI)</li><li>Cholesterol</li><li>Prostate exams for men </li><li>Pap smears, pelvic exams, mammograms, and measurement of bone loss for women</li><li>Blood tests: blood count, glucose levels, thyroid function, and electrolyte count</li></ul><h4>There are also other tests that will help you to catch ailments in time to treat them:</h4><ul><li>An eye exam </li><li>Periodontal (dental health) exam</li><li>Hearing test</li><li>Vitamin D deficiency test</li><li>Vaccinations</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Find a health facility</h2><p>The City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government provide health facilities where you can have your annual check-ups and get medical diagnosis and treatment for a number of ailments.</p><p>For a full list of City health clinics,
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities"> visit our clinics page</a> – we offer primary healthcare only and you would need a referral should you need more specialised health care. For all health facilities in Cape Town and the Western Cape,
<a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/" target="_blank">see the Western Cape Government's website<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>.</p><p>If you don’t have access to transport, the Western Cape government provides
<a href="https://d7.westerncape.gov.za/your_gov/33/facilities/772" target="_blank">mobile clinics<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>.</p>
<a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/facility/oostenberg-mobile-clinic" target="_blank"></a>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Maintain your fitness and health</h2><p>Looking after your body has numerous benefits, including boosting your immune system, keeping your mind sharp and increasing your memory. </p><h4> Keep these facts in mind to maintain your health as you age:</h4><ul><li>As your digestive system slows, fibre becomes more important to keep it regular – consume fibre-rich foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.</li><li>You are more prone to dehydration – drink plenty of fluids.</li><li>Exercise can diminish chronic pain.<br></li><li>Check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise programme.</li><li>Low impact exercises have minimum effect on your joints, so consider yoga and swimming.</li></ul><p>It is important to belong to a seniors social club for social interaction and support. The City of Cape Town runs a Healthy Living and Active Ageing programme for seniors, encouraging seniors to join seniors social clubs and providing information on services available to seniors. The programmes culminate in the Cape Town Games for Older Persons annually. </p><p>Visit our
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Activities-and-programmes/Sport-and-recreation/seniors-programmes/Seniors%20programmes">Seniors' programmes page</a> to find out more about the various activities on offer at our community centres or view our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/SPORT%20AND%20RECREATION%20DEPARTMENT%20PROGRAMMES.pdf" target="_blank">full programme schedule</a>. You can also contact your
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Recreation%20and%20Parks%20Department">nearest district recreational office</a>. </p><h4>The City of Cape Town provides a number of free or low-cost facilities that you can access for exercise:</h4><ul><li>
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<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Outdoor%20gyms">Outdoor gyms</a> have been constructed in various communities and we also have
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<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">wonderful
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Biodiversity%20parks">biodiversity parks</a>;
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Regional%20parks">regional parks</a>;
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Smart%20parks">smart parks</a>;
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Spray%20parks">spray parks</a> and </span>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/District%20parks">district parks</a> throughout the city. </li><li>There are a number of public
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Swimming%20pools">swimming pools</a> where you can enjoy a good swim. </li><li>Take advantage of our beautiful
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Beaches">beaches</a> for walks and swims.<br></li><li>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/Nature-and-outdoors/Mountains-and-hiking/Explore-our-mountains-fynbos-and-forests">Explore our mountains and forests</a> and<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/Nature-and-outdoors/Rivers-and-wetlands/Explore-our-rivers-and-wetlands"> rivers and wetlands</a>.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Keep an active mind</h2><p>It is not just your body that needs to be maintained; stimulating your mind will also have positive effects on your quality of life. The City has supplied its citizens with over 100<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Libraries">public libraries</a></span> and a growing number of
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<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">mobile libraries</span>. Our libraries have a variety of services that you may want to take part in, such as lectures, holiday programmes and writing groups.</p><p>View
<a href="https://d7.westerncape.gov.za/your_life/1325" target="_blank">Adult Basic Education and Training opportunities<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>, run by the Western Cape Government. These include
<a href="https://d7.westerncape.gov.za/service/e-learning-initiatives" target="_blank">e-learning initiatives<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>. You can also get involved in a charitable organisation close to your heart. <br></p> | | GP0|#d15d9853-a356-417a-add5-57d9c7c17263;L0|#0d15d9853-a356-417a-add5-57d9c7c17263|Staying healthy as you age;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#f227728e-21e0-4124-8d37-5bb94e6a8c44;GPP|#090e430c-3809-42d5-a80b-caea93b2beaf;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | As you age, staying healthy is important. Learn about keeping your body and mind healthy. | 0 |
