Mount Sinai aging poll: Dementia, cancer worry those over 50; only about half consult doctor about getting older

Most metro area residents over 50 are concerned about aging, yet only 58% have talked about it with their doctors, a new poll found.

The survey, conducted last month by Mount Sinai South Nassau Truth in Medicine, found more than half of the adults they interviewed were concerned about aging well and living a long healthy life. However, most have not spoken to their physician about getting older.

And some, like Brian Cosgrove, of East Patchogue, hadn't seen a doctor in years. The 61-year-old told Newsday on Wednesday he hadn't prioritized his health until he had a heart attack 11 months ago.

"The biggest thing for men my age is we don't go to doctors," Cosgrove said. "After my heart attack, I pay attention to my body."

Of about 600 adults aged 50 and older on Long Island and in New York City, 65% worried about memory loss or dementia as they aged.

Dr. Adhi Sharma, president of Mount Sinai South Nassau, said those adults may not bring it up with their physicians because they think it is not relevant to their visit.

"When they're going to the physician's office or senior health care practitioner, they are often either seeing them for an acute issue," Sharma told Newsday, "or they're focused on the present, and they're not thinking about 10, 20, 30 years down the road."

Sharma encouraged New Yorkers to be active participants in their aging process.

Healthy aging is about adding quality to your life rather than adding years to it, he said.

"Any moment is the right moment," Sharma said about discussing aging with a physician. "Once you start the conversation, it actually helps to create that dialogue for future visits as well."

The poll also found women under 70 were more concerned than men about the aging process — consistent with past polls where women were likely to discuss or advocate for their health.

"Women tend to be the guardians of health for themselves and their families, and it's not unexpected that women are more oftentimes more read up on health conditions, and that they're actually more engaged in those conversations."

To mitigate the effects of neurodegenerative disorders, the poll found that 69% of respondents took vitamins and supplements and 35% reported playing brain games. The poll was conducted March 12-18.

For women age 70 or older, 77% of them took vitamins and supplements and 51% said they played brain games.

The poll also found that 47% of respondents take prescription drugs in an attempt to hinder cognitive decline.

Sharma said he was "pleasantly surprised" that about 41% of respondents and 52% of women under age 70 exercise regularly; 30% of all respondents and 39% of women under 70 follow a strict or limited diet.

Although more people took vitamins and supplements than exercised regularly, no evidence shows that taking supplements prevents memory loss and cognitive decline, he noted.

"Exercise is linked with the best outcomes in terms of not only memory loss, but aging in general," Sharma said. "It is important for us to make sure that the population at large understands all those levers that they have access to, to improve not only their longevity, but how well they live."

The poll was conducted by the independent polling firm LJR Custom Strategies. The poll has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.9%. LJR Custom Strategies is a nationally recognized polling firm.

In addition to fear of dementia, respondents said they worried about other illnesses and conditions. These include: 72% of respondents worry about heart disease and stroke; 71% worry about cancer diagnosis; 68% worry about arthritis; 64% worry about diabetes; 54% worry about chronic respiratory disease; and 54% worry about mental health.

Jason Roberts, 47, a veteran from Patchogue, said he was already trying to stay ahead of aging by using herbal and holistic medicines.

"Everybody always worries about aging," he said. "It is one of the biggest, I think, scares in a human journey."

Before his heart attack, independent contractor Cosgrove said he "used to work constantly, probably six days a week, sometimes seven days a week, and most often it was probably 85 to 90 hours a week.".

And, Cosgrove said, he "never ate correctly."

"I no longer eat junk foods," he said. "I eat nutritious food. I eat vegetables."

Cosgrove now works less, takes walks, and sees a doctor regularly, he said.

Susan Serignese, 71, of Miller Place, said staying healthy had been a priority since she was in her 20s. Every day she walks for two hours with a group of friends, which has great mental and social benefits as well as physical, she said.

"For the most part, I do eat healthy, and I keep moving, and my grandkids keep me young too," Serignese said. "I don't feel my age."