Now more than ever there is a need for new ideas with regards to aging. Millions of post World War II children are reaching their autumn years with millions more right behind them. There is a boom of retiring boomers like never before and these folks need some new rules to follow. Experts believe they will be at once collectively the healthiest and also the most burdensome ever on the governments tab. Healthy because so many are taking better care of themselves than their own parents ever did and the burden comes from age related illnesses that will occur regardless of how well they age.
Novel research conducted on people who have proven they can live a long and good life that included centenarians who are growing in numbers, allowed researchers to recognize those aspects that have a bearing on how we age well. Great genes accounted for some of this success but individuals cannot count on genetics alone, they must set new life objectives starting with their lifestyle choices aimed at improving their quality of life and their ultimate longevity. These self improvement options are by and large holistic since they comprise the mental, physical emotional, spirituality and social facets of their lives.
In general, a person’s ability to cope with aging lies in the capacity to educating themselves about aging in a superior manner and have the discipline and energy to continue the practice. The field of gerontology is a clinical specialty in its own right so we will only touch on main topics of research in the hope that aging adults will put the information to good use to improve their quality of living in the near future.
Interested readers should do their own research with assistance from the library or pick up some reading material at the bookstore. There is also an avalanche of data on the Internet waiting to be discovered, at health food stores, medical professionals of the holistic variety and health agencies and government departments. The government provides a raft of free information that is worthy of a look:
[The National Institutes on Aging and Health – NIAH - will send a catalog of their publications to you: call 800-222-2225 or visit www. nih.gov/nia for information].
One study, by author George E. Valliant a Harvard medical professor, conducted at Harvard University called Aging Well, acknowledged that there were four general actions that contributed to a satisfying and contented life of leisure in retirement years and they are:
• You need to substitute your friends and acquaintances from your place employment with a whole new circle of friends, a new network that could include activities with your grand kids.
• Learn how to have fun and play – as recreation or competition if need be in order to begin making new friends and to sustain your sense of self worth.
• Try and be creative when you decide upon new activities, especially those that require some skill and camaraderie with others, like taking up art classes, learn a new instrument, creative writing or learn how to garden.
• Never give up learning new things so you will nurture your psychological well being and mental fitness. Dr. Valliant makes a point of mentioning the ancient Greeks used the word scholar to mean leisure. This could only mean that their spare time was spent in learning novel experience. To summarize this, you need a great reason to awaken cheerful each day.
Forming habits that are healthy, is a vital piece of the puzzle for achieving physical and emotional well being within each aging adult. Consuming nutritious meals, steering clear of smoking and alcohol only in modest amounts, daily physical exercise of some kind, and learning to adapt to life’s changes seamlessly will assist with your physical health regardless of your age. It should not matter how old you are when you have a desire to initiate a new program or routine for the good of your health, just do so with your physician’s supervision.
The ability to stay at a healthy body weight and take part in exercise that will tone and strengthen your muscularity, develop better balance, improve your physical bearing and stamina, individuals well into their seventies and eighties will have a superior quality of life than those who are sedentary. There is a plethora of knowledge available about proper eating habits, calorie intake based on someone’s age, weight and activity levels: [The website http://www.MyPyramid.gov, sponsored by USDA]. Be sure to speak to your primary health care provider prior to starting exercise or changing your diet if you have any chronic health conditions or physical limitations.
The simplest of physical activities will help seniors maintain their independence longer. Take your dog for a walk [I have a friend in her nineties who takes her dog Peppy for long walks daily in all seasons, the dog tires first and winds up getting carried home in her walker basket!]. Housecleaning is a great way to exercise without actually exercising and you accomplish an important task while you are at it. Gardening is an excellent way for an elderly person to get a full body workout while doing something enjoyable and fulfilling. Some mid age people cannot keep up with certain elders at community gardens. Try and do some stretching each day to maintain your flexibility. Doing these simple activities, will help you keep your mobility.
If you feel more comfortable doing something physical under the eyes of a professional, many fitness centers have a seniors class [the silver sneakers], they offer Tai Chi, senior yoga classes – all engineered with the elderly in mind. Just remember, there is no charge for walking and getting fresh air is important. You could also take up bike riding, hiking or bird watching. Playing with your grand kids is also free and they will have a ball with you.
By maintaining some physical activity into your advanced years has benefits beyond what you may imagine. You will extend your life expectancy, your stress will be reduced, your mobility will improve and this means independence, cut the risk of diabetes, one of the worst age related illnesses, sleep better, remember more and assist with perking up your mood! Experts agree that for geriatric age groups, the most important factor of aging is the ability to remain mobile. It has everything to do with maintaining your independence.
For most centenarians, learning how to roll with things and adapt is a standard of living they are used to. They maintain an optimistic outlook and pretty much understand they must be more accepting of things they cannot change. They harbor a sense of humor beneath their weathered appearance and are quick to laugh, knowing this will contribute to their continued longevity. They open their minds, cultivate understanding of enlightened change with other traditions and are not afraid to learn from younger generations in order to remain “hip” and keep a nimble mind. They prefer to remain dynamic rather than stagnant. Knowing they have family and friends around keeps them connected and mentally aware of others circumstances other than focusing inward.
When the elderly live by themselves, they must make an effort to interact with others in a community environment somehow. This is especially important if their own family is not part of their lives. Chronic loneliness can lead to stress, irregular and inadequate eating habits along with poor sleep, and ultimately unfortunate medical condition. When we can converse with others and share our ideas, thoughts, goals and concerns, we maintain our humanity and live with a purpose.
Seniors who wind up medically tied to their homes may want to hire a caregiver or companion to establish a personal connection or social contact that is there for them regularly. Nurturing their spirituality as they become older is a vital part of the life of elders that gives strength when they face adversity and find themselves challenged. It assists people to lead a happier life with like minded folks and most churches have some form of voluntary service for homebound constituents.
When you age well you advance in years without feeling fear of the unknown, you are contented and live without regret or resentment. Baby boomers growing older are defining a new paradigm for aging. Successfully growing old is as important to them as any success they have previously experienced in their lives. Aging in style will be the new way forward and growing older will be a welcome time when we are able to finally enjoy what we have been too busy to notice.
Henri Amiel noted back in 1874 that, “to know how to grow old is the master work of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters in the great art of living.” Awesome words describing a time in life that can be a renewal of a life deserving or hasten a rapid decline. If the boomers have their way, it will be a groovy time for all who can dig it!
Wed, Apr 7, 2010
Anti Aging, Gerontology, Lifestyle, Longevity