Older adults experience changes in bone strength and mass. Bones become more porous and more susceptible to breaking. This is more serious in women, with about one in four women over 60 developing osteoporosis, or a thinning of the bones. Diet and exercise can help prevent the thinning and breaking of bones. Diets should be high in calcium, which is found in such foods as milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Vitamin D is also important, as the body uses it to absorb calcium.
Regular exercise helps strengthen the bones, and using mild weights helps reduce bone loss. Also, a decrease in oxygen consumption may result in shortness of breath for some older adults. Again, exercise can modify these changes by strengthening the heart and lungs. However, most older adults report that they are in relatively good health. Beginning in the '40's, many adults experience a decline in the ability to focus on objects at a close distance.