Living well: all about active aging

Living well as an older adult is not about opulence or income, it’s about maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle around moving, thinking and feeling. Creating a balance in these three areas will help a person to live well at any age.
It’s been well documented that staying physically active helps older adults stay independent longer. Mobility helps to prevent loss of strength related to aging and can help to reduce the risk of falls.
Physical activity that includes strength training is recommended for all older adults. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a small percentage of Americans have regular physical activity:
• 45-64 year olds – 30 percent
• 65-74 year olds – 25 percent
• 85 and older – 11 percent
Many individuals believe that if they’ve never exercised, or have not exercised for many years, it may not be worth it to begin now. Exercise is beneficial at any age. The level of activity and type of exercise will vary based on an individual’s ability, but it’s never too late to begin an exercise program.
Talk with your doctor to find out what type of physical activity is right for you. Joining an exercise class or program for seniors is strongly recommended. Exercise classes geared toward seniors are great for meeting new friends, feeling accomplished and avoiding any intimidation from younger individuals in other classes.
Memory loss or cognitive impairment is not an inevitable part of aging. In fact, research has shown that staying physically active and socializing with friends and family can help to prevent a cognitive decline. Regular exercise encourages the growth of new brain cells and helps to manage stress and alleviate depression and anxiety – all of these lead to a healthier brain.
Age-related memory changes aren’t the same thing as dementia. It can be frustrating to have just laid down your keys, but not remember where. Or to have just seen a movie but not recall who starred in it. But most of the time, it’s not a reason to be concerned.
A good, nutritional diet helps your body in many ways. Interested in good brain food? Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and drink green tea. These all contain antioxidants that help to keep your brain cells healthy. Also, foods that are rich in omega-3 fats (tuna, salmon, walnuts, flaxseed) are good for your brain and memory. Eat in moderation and avoid saturated and trans fats that can increase your cholesterol levels and your risk of stroke.
Socialization is important throughout life, but especially as an older adult. It’s important to stay connected to friends and family to avoid feeling isolated and depressed. In fact, socialization is just as important as exercise and diet when it comes to living a long and happy life.
There are so many ways to stay active with friends and family. Here are just a few:
• Get together with a church group
• Participate in a card or book club
• Join an exercise group for seniors
• Attend free lectures at places like the library, a bookstore or museum
• Plan a once-a-month lunch date with friends or family
If you can’t physically get together with friends and family, visit with them on the phone. You can catch up on news and activities or create your own activities together like working together to solve a crossword puzzle in your newspaper or Sudoku puzzle.
At Asbury Heights, a senior living community, we are focused on making sure that older adults living on our campus are living life at their best. Through our new initiative, Living Well at Asbury, we concentrate on providing more function and fewer limitations for you.
We want you to live life as fully and as actively as possible. Our 104 years of experience with older adults provides us with unparalleled knowledge of what works and what doesn’t so that we can provide the best, personalized recommendations for you to live as independently as possible for as long as you are able.
By aging well, you will live well. And that’s our goal.
To learn more about Asbury Heights or to schedule a tour, call 1-888-424-8404, or visit www.asburyheights.org.
Marjorie Wilson, MSW, is the director, independent resident services at Asbury Heights.