New Column: Healthy Aging Tips from Dr. Wanagat

Jonathan Wanagat, MD, PhD

This article is the first in a series by Advisory Council Member Dr. Jonathan Wanagat. Dr. Wanagat will be offering monthly information and updates on healthcare issues of interest to seniors and caregivers.

In several recent Seniors Digest articles, fellow Advisory Council member Houston Brown offered some wholesome recipes and tips for a healthy diet.  His article was a reminder that each of us has unique experience, skills or knowledge which can be shared to benefit family, friends and others in our community. With this monthly column, I hope to share my interest and expertise in the science and medicine of healthy aging and highlight important new discoveries which may be of interest to our readers.

My background in aging stems from my work as a physician and researcher at the University of Washington. I see patients each week at the SeniorCare clinic at Harborview Medical Center, where all of the clients are over 65 and many are over 75 years of age. My patients and I often discuss new and exciting healthcare innovations, and I expect this column to provide another forum for these discussions. When not in clinic, I work with a group of scientists at the university, where we are studying how to combat age-related disease and maximize healthspan.

I joined the Aging and Disabilities Services Advisory Council just over one year ago when I was sponsored by the United Way of King County. Through my work with the Council, I have been fortunate to meet a talented and passionate group of individuals who advocate for older Americans.  Seniors Digest showcases their advocacy and helps share current challenges and opportunities within this community of advocates. Healthcare touches on many of these challenges, and I hope this column will stimulate dialogue and help us keep pace with this rapidly evolving field.

In future issues of this column, we will examine a variety of popular topics relating to health and aging. We will focus on topics which provide positive, helpful information and, hopefully, have broad appeal. Upcoming topics will include a close look at the benefits of the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D, and the importance of exercise—which is beneficial at any age, but often neglected. If there is a topic which you would like to see appear in this column, please feel free to contact us at editor@seniorsdigest.org.

This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician.  No physician-patient relationship is created by this article or its use. Neither the Advisory Council nor its employees, nor any contributor to this website makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to the its use. Dr. Wanagat is acting as an independent professional and not as a representative of the University of Washington.