By Clyde Noel

Maintaining good health during the senior years may not be as easy as one might believe, despite the recent explosion of products and resources on the market geared for the aging population.

“It’s no longer one-size-fits-all. People want to understand the differences between different products,” said Christina Martinez a health-care employee for Purdue Pharmaceutical who was in Los Altos last week answering health questions at Pilgrim Haven retirement community. “It’s not just drugs, the frustration includes education resources and practices.”

To help the community sift through confusing medical information, Pilgrim Haven in Los Altos held a one-day health fair last week, which focused on high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, osteoporosis and peripheral arterial diseases.

Dr. Shelia Humphries, an internal medical specialist and medical director at Pilgrim Haven, said she believes in a preventive approach to good health care.

“Pilgrim Haven seniors are living healthier and fuller lives as a consequence of taking responsibility and an active role in their health care,” she said. The facility provides long- and short-term care, as well as a 63-bed skilled nursing center.

Bone density is a major concern for women after menopause, said Far Shahidi, a representative from Aventis Pharmaceutical, who conducted bone screenings from the company’s booth at the fair.

“Most women over 65 should get a bone density scan, but some women need the test even earlier than this,” Shahida said. “After menopause, half of all women suffer broken bones due to osteoporosis.”

Bone density scans can identify women who need treatment for age-related bone loss. A bone density scan helps predict future risk of fractures.

“If a woman is 65 or older and has never had a (bone density scan) for osteoporosis, we are recommending that this woman be screened,” Shahida said. “They take a test of the heel to show the thickness of the bone.”

Registered dietitian Joan Le Ber provided answers to those curious about controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Eating habits have the most impact, he said. Providing a food pyramid chart on her table, Le Ber said the best guideline is to eat a variety of all foods in moderation and eat fats, oils and sweets sparingly.

Cholesterol, a fatty substance made in the liver and found in the body’s cells, moves through the bloodstream in special carriers called lipoproteins. The body needs cholesterol to work normally but too much cholesterol in the blood increases the risk of buildups in the arteries and elevates the risk of heart attack and stroke, Le Ber said.