What changes should we expect as our body ages biologically?
In the second instalment of the five-part series “The Art, Science and Good News of Ageing” on 2 November, Dr Lydia Au, the Head of the Division of Geriatric in JurongHealth Campus and the Senior Consultant in Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Prof Tay Boon Keng, Emeritus Consultant of the Orthopaedic Surgery department in Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and moderator Adj Asst Prof Maleena Suppiah Cavert, Chief Wellbeing Officer at the National University Health System (NUHS) discussed how we can maintain our mobility and physical wellbeing into our golden years.
One in five Singaporeans will be 65 years and above by 2030. As ageing cannot be reversed, Dr Au emphasised that falls and frailty prevention is important to cushioning the ageing process. Our bodies have a decreased ability to cope with regular stresses compared to our younger days. Fortunately, there are many nutritional, environmental, and social interventions that can effectively reduce the chances of falls and frailty and improve muscle functions.
Prof Tay highlighted that technological advancements in medicine look towards the possibility of improving knee health through non-invasive and non-surgical methods, such as steroids, hyaluronic acid, and platelet-rich plasma. Injectables such as stem cell therapy may invoke ethical concerns, but with strict regulations in place, they can be viable solutions for osteoarthritis.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the speakers in this webinar are their own and do not represent the opinions of The HEAD Foundation.
