8 Signs A 65-Year Old is AGING VERY WELL

Key wellness strategies & self-check signs (aging well)

8) Watch for sense of smell changes

• Losing smell can be an early marker of possible brain-related degeneration (though other causes like infections/sinus issues exist).
• Home check: Have someone give you strong smells one-by-one and see if you can identify them.

At-home smell test (example list):

• Coffee grounds
• Peanut butter
• Cinnamon
• Mint
• Orange peel

If you can’t identify about 2 out of 5, bring it up with your primary care clinician.

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7) Track walking speed (don’t slow down)

• A marked decline in walking speed is an important early indicator.
• Action principle: Avoid becoming more sedentary; staying active preserves muscle and function.

Quick functional test: At a crosswalk with a countdown, can you cross before the timer ends?

Possible reasons for slowing:

• Pain (arthritis/back issues)
• Confusion
• Reduced strength or balance issues

Strong associations mentioned:

• Links to dementia/Parkinson’s-related processes
• Increased fall risk if strength/balance are deteriorating

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6) Measure heart rate recovery after exercise

• After exercise, how fast your heart rate drops reflects cardiovascular resilience.
• Rule of thumb (from the video):
  • In the first minute after exercise, aim for about a 20 beats/min drop
  • Less than ~12 beats/min drop = “eye-opener” to improve conditioning

Suggested habits that help:

• Regular walking/exercise
• Working the core muscles

Wearables note: Heart rate recovery can be tracked with devices (watches/phones), even if you’re not constantly wearing one.

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5) Maintain a healthy appetite

• Aging well is associated with being able to eat at the right times, enjoying food, and avoiding sudden appetite loss.

Red flags:

• Sudden reduced appetite
• Not tasting/smelling food well anymore
• Unintentional weight loss and possible malnutrition (e.g., falling protein/albumin)

Appetite changes can be caused by:

• Physical illness
• Mental health concerns (e.g., depression)

When recovering from illness, getting your appetite back often tracks with improvement.

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4) Build/maintain grip strength

• Strong grip strength is a simple marker of overall muscle strength and frailty risk.
• Declining grip can reflect:
  • Lower muscle mass (sarcopenia)
  • Balance/fall risk
  • Potential underlying nutrition or neurodegenerative issues

Key idea: It’s especially the change over time that matters.

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3) Reduce polypharmacy (too many medications)

• Being on fewer medications is described as a longevity/health marker.
• Concern: medication cascades—adding drugs to treat side effects of earlier drugs.

Self-advocacy / “exit strategy” questions to ask your clinician:

• When should we reassess this medication?
• What needs to happen for me to come off it?
• Are there plans for weaning (if appropriate)?

Emphasis: Hospitalization often leads to additional meds on discharge—avoid unnecessary additions when possible.

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2) Stay adaptable + plan for the future

• Aging well is linked to continued planning and flexibility rather than “throwing in the towel.”
• Examples of future plans/purpose:
  • Trips, visiting grandkids, sports games
  • Gardening, competitions, hobbies
  • Continual learning/growth and comfort with change

Suggested benefit: improved stress resilience (autonomic nervous system training was mentioned).

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1) Prioritize quick recovery from illness

• The “bounce back” speed after events (infection, fracture, hospitalization) is framed as a major marker of healthy aging.

What supports faster recovery:

• Get up and move early to prevent deconditioning/weak muscles
• Optimize nutrition (emphasis on protein and antioxidants; caution about overly processed hospital food)
• Determination/active attitude

The video ties recovery capacity to earlier markers:

• Grip strength/muscle mass
• Heart rate recovery (suggesting training)
• Eating well and maintaining habits

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Presenters / sources

• Dr. Ben (speaker; referenced as Dr. Ben / Dr. Bennett)
• Dr. Peter (speaker; referenced as Dr. Peter)
• Dr. Sunil (speaker; referenced as Dr. Sunil)
• Camille (viewer/commenter referenced in a segment about antibiotics)
• “Troy” (name referenced during discussion—exact role not otherwise specified)
• Referenced historical/scientific source: Alexander Fleming (penicillin discovery)