Older people’s health follows particular rules. As we age, the body changes gradually: cells renew more slowly, organ functions evolve, metabolism slows, and certain frailties become more visible. These transformations do not occur abruptly at 65. They begin much earlier, often quietly.
This is precisely the point of geriatrics, a branch of medicine devoted to the health of older adults, but also to the prevention of pathologies that can accompany aging. It helps to better understand the diseases most common among seniors, their causes, their progression, as well as ways to manage them or, even better, prevent them.
Prevention after 40: ask our specialist your question
As part of its Studio TN Santé column, Tunisie Numérique has begun a series of interviews with a geriatrician to shed light for readers on the challenges of aging, the right prevention habits, and the actions to take to preserve autonomy for as long as possible.
From what age is someone considered elderly?
Asked about the age at which one starts to talk about an elderly person, Dr. Mariem Hakim Safraou, a specialist in geriatrics, recalls that, according to the World Health Organization’s definition, this notion generally begins at 65 years old.
But this administrative or medical threshold does not mean that aging begins at this age. The process starts much earlier. According to Dr. Hakim, the body begins to age gradually after the end of physical growth, that is to say around 25 to 30 years old.
In other words, the body reaches its maturity, then slowly enters a phase of transformation. The changes are initially discreet, often invisible, but they progressively affect the functioning of organs, muscle mass, metabolism, recovery capacity, and certain hormonal balances.
The 40-year mark: a key moment
For Dr. Mariem Hakim, the age of 40 represents an important milestone. It is from this point that it becomes necessary to begin preparing for aging, not out of a sense of worry, but as a preventive approach.
At this age, it is recommended to perform regular checkups and screening examinations in order to detect early risk factors or the first signs of certain chronic diseases. The goal is simple: to prevent discreet issues from becoming, years later, heavy pathologies to manage.
Prevention concerns in particular cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, kidney conditions, bronchopulmonary disorders, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Metabolism, weight and hormones: what changes after 40
From the age of 40, metabolism often begins to slow down. The body no longer burns calories with the same efficiency as before. It is at this time that many people notice weight gain, sometimes without changing their diet or increasing their energy intake.
According to Dr. Hakim, this phenomenon is natural and physiological. It is linked to several changes, notably hormonal. In women, it can be accentuated by the perimenopause, which often begins around 40. In men, the changes typically appear somewhat later, around 50, with the progressive decline in testosterone levels.
This evolution makes weight loss more difficult and promotes fat accumulation, particularly around the abdomen. Moreover, abdominal fat is associated with a higher risk of insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Why early screening is essential
Screening helps detect risk factors before complications arise. It can involve blood pressure checks, a blood panel, an assessment of cardiovascular risk, diabetes screening, or monitoring of kidney function.
Dr. Hakim also emphasizes the importance of not neglecting the early signs of cognitive difficulties. Mild memory problems can sometimes appear from the forties or fifties. They do not necessarily signify the presence of a serious disease, but they should be taken seriously when they become frequent, unusual, or bothersome in daily life.
In such a case, consulting one’s family doctor or a specialist helps assess the situation, reassure if necessary, and identify appropriate preventive measures.
Aging better starts with preparation
The main message is clear: aging is not something to prepare for at 65, but long before. To age better means acting early on risk factors, adopting a balanced lifestyle, watching one’s weight, diet, physical activity, sleep, and mental health.
This approach does not aim to medicalize life from age 40, but to prevent diagnostic delays and bad habits that can weigh heavily in later years.
Prevention remains, in this field, the best treatment. By early identification of frailties, correcting risk factors, and supporting the body’s natural changes, it becomes possible to preserve autonomy longer, as well as quality of life and well-being.
Geriatrics thus does not concern only the elderly. It reminds everyone that the health of tomorrow is built today, sometimes well before one truly feels affected by aging.
