Active aging keeps you young, according to many experts. In fact, Active Aging Week in October seeks to garner attention and disseminate information pertaining to healthy aging across the lifespan. Many seniors are taking on leadership roles to demonstrate how age is just a number.
Active Aging Week in October aims to spotlight how seniors can age actively, preserving quality of life. This year, the commemoration runs from October 3-9, 2022, and the themes surround fitness, nutrition, and holistic health. The takeaway is that you can live actively and engage in society at any age and the contributions of seniors are typically highlighted.
Since 2003, the International Council on Active Aging has endorsed this weeklong campaign to foster change in how we, as a population, age. This observance emphasizes how seniors can live life to the fullest, living a more active life as they age. If mobility is impeding your accessibility or hampering quality of life, consider quality mobility aids and devices to support your lifestyle.
Other tips for active aging include the following:
Keep Moving
It likely comes as no surprise that the first tip to age well is to move more. Get up and get moving. Being active helps in many ways. It helps prevent the onset of a lot of debilitating and chronic illnesses, while also improving areas like stamina, balance, flexibility, cognition, and more. Furthermore, regular physical activity can reduce the risk of falls, the leading cause of accidental death among seniors.
Seniors are recommended to start with walking for 20-30 minutes daily. Wear comfortable shoes, enlist a buddy, and stay hydrated. Consider walking groups or low impact exercise groups, like water fitness offerings, as you continue on your active aging journey.
Stay Busy
Besides walking and exercising, to age actively, you must keep busy. How do you do this? Find a purpose: a job, a pet, a hobby, or a friend, and stay busy. A sense of purpose gives people reason to get up in the morning and it can stave off symptoms of depression or dementia. Keeping busy improves mood, confidence, and wellness. It lowers blood pressure and helps with weight control, too. The benefits of keeping busy, in healthy outlets, of course, are immeasurable.
Tap Into Something Bigger
Another aspect of active aging is spirituality. A sense of something bigger than oneself becomes even more important as you get older. While many may subscribe to an organized religion or belong to a particular group, others may seek spiritual fulfillment in other venues. The results may include feelings of contentment and peace when reflecting on life’s circumstances.
It is not uncommon for older people to go through a bit of an existential crisis as they age. It is a phase of life where one reflects and re-evaluates their life choices, often feeling pangs of regret or immense satisfaction. If you feel like you are in a spiritual crisis, speak with a clergy, mentor, or practitioner, for more insight and recommendations.
Stay on Top of Technology
In today’s world, staying abreast of the latest technology can help seniors stay connected with loved ones, supports, or services far away. The security and access that the internet can provide are amazing and it helps create autonomy in anyone with a smart phone, including older individuals. If you want to age actively, make a commitment to learn more about technology: your devices, social media, and the internet.
Learn Something New
Be a lifelong learner. Always seek to find out more about topics and subjects of interest to you. Try a class or lecture at your local library, adult ed, or community college. Some cities offer senior college classes in subject from horticulture to the law.
Learning something new is great for cognition and memory, too. It can slow the progression of age-related dementia and boost mood which contributes to overall quality of life.
Pair Up
There is safety in numbers. Make a friend and enlist a buddy to accompany you in your outings and adventures. It is always prudent to have a friend, a partner in crime, if you will, to account for each other, particularly if either of you live with health issues or conditions. A buddy-system can be an effective way of looking out for one another without the intrusion of someone stepping in.
Consider groups, tours, and clubs that also provide you with the chance to engage and socialize with like-minded people. Socialization is a huge aspect of active aging and wellbeing across the lifespan. Get out there and meet some people!
Active aging embraces all elements of holistic health, including mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Staying active and engaged can preserve quality of life during the golden years, often fending off symptoms and illness that can debilitate and erode wellbeing. For mobility aids and equipment to facilitate aging in place, talk to the team at Pacific Mobility; call or visit today!
President, Husband, Father, Grandfather Graduate of UC Davis- Bio Sci Major- Go Aggies! Jeff has extensive experience in all of Pacific Mobility’s products and services, and specializes in accessibility products as well as stairlifts, ceiling lifts and custom wheel chairs. His hobbies include spending time with family, gardening, mountain biking, exercising and off road motorcycle riding.
24 years as Owner/President of Pacific Mobility Center – selling, installing, and servicing stairlifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts, pool lifts, handicap ramping, specialty wheelchairs, scooters, power wheel chairs, and other power mobility devices
Certified Environmental Access Consultant since 2008
Licensed General Contractor since 1998
Certified Aging in Place Specialist since 2016
Board Member for Home Access Professionals
Member of Association of Members of the Accessibility Equipment Industry (AEMA)
