“A sedentary lifestyle increases the propensity to aging-related diseases and premature death,” observes study author Lynn F. Cherkas of London. “Inactivity may diminish life expectancy not only by predisposing to aging-related diseases but also because it may influence the aging process itself.”

The study concludes that “adults who partake in regular physical activity are biologically younger than sedentary individuals.” The study refers to “U.S. guidelines [that] recommend… 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity at last five days a week [having] significant health benefits.”

Most of us have heard the joke about the old lady who wakes up and says, “I must be dead because nothing hurts.”

But AARP says chronic pain is not necessarily part of getting older. If something hurts, it advises, see your doctor to determine the cause and best course of treatment. Also, to help prevent or ease pain: exercise regularly; seek out counseling or support groups; try relaxation techniques, such as meditation and massage; rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10, and keep a record; and pay attention to what makes your pain subside and what makes it worse.

It’s long been known that patients undergoing heart surgery may risk lasting memory problems, but recent research indicates this risk also exists in elective surgery.

A study reported in the journal Anesthesiology concludes that people over 60 who have major surgery, such as joint replacements or hysterectomies, are more likely to have cognitive problems later.

Older people, especially those with diabetes, should make sure they are taking care of their feet.

“Your feet change with age,” said Dr. Lesly Robinson, associate professor of  medicine and orthopedics at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. As you get older, your feet get longer and wider, the skin becomes thinner and you may develop problems, such as diabetes or poor circulation.

You may experience cramping in your legs or feet, your feet may feel cold because of poor circulation or they may feel numb. Your feet may also look discolored, she said.

Robinson advises exercise to improve the health of your feet. “Walking increases blood flow,” she says.

Other suggestions

Some other ways she suggests to care for your feet:

• Inspect your feet daily from all angles to check for open lesions or breaks in the skin, redness, blisters or calluses, conditions that may need medical attention. If it’s difficult to turn your foot toward your body, you can get a special long-handled mirror from Sears or any medical supply store.

• Wash your feet regularly, using warm (never hot)

water. Pat them dry with a soft towel, don’t rub.

• Wear clean, wide, seamless socks. Tight socks or panty hose can be a problem if you have poor circulation. Even

if you’re not a diabetic, you might want to buy diabetic socks; they are wider and

bigger and usually seamless.

• Inspect your shoes and shake them out to be sure no small objects are inside. Grandchildren have been known to hide toys in shoes.

• Don’t cross your legs; doing so impairs circulation.

• Elevate your legs with a footstool when sitting and with pillows when lying down.

• Don’t walk in the dark. If you get up at night, turn on the light. Broken toes can result from hitting a bed or another object.

• Don’t walk barefoot, even at home. Objects lying on the floor can cause injury to your feet.

Because your feet get wider and longer as you age, you may not wear the same size shoe you once did. Get your feet measured to figure out what size you really wear, Robinson suggests.

Pointed toes a no-no

She also recommends buying shoes at the end of the day when swelling is at the maximum, adding: “Never buy shoes with pointed toes. Choose ones with a wide toe box so your toes have room to move around.”

Pain in the heel or ball of the foot may indicate a collapsed arch or flat foot. If so, you may need an orthotic, or arch support, which can be taken in and out of your shoes. Your podiatrist or family doctor can make the orthotic or recommend where to buy it.

It is especially important for people with diabetes to wear the right shoes. If you have diabetes, Medicare and many private insurance programs pay for one pair of therapeutic shoes per year. You can get a prescription from a podiatrist or your family doctor for shoes with molding for orthotics.

Due to loss of sensation, people with diabetes should test the water temperature before getting into a tub or taking a shower because they could scald their feet. They also should visit a podiatrist every two months.

Older people who are not diabetic should either visit a podiatrist once a year or have their feet examined as part of the yearly checkup.

If bending or cutting your toenails is unfomfortable, you may be eligible for Medicare reimbursement, Robinson notes. Medicare criteria include such conditions as painful nails, poor circulation, poor vision, swelling in legs and previous amputation.

“Don’t delay in notifying your physician or podiatrist of a foot problem, even if it seems minor,” she cautions.