Facts On Aging are
Brighter
by: ARA Content
Seniors can positively impact their aging process
By Dr. Roger F. Landry
(ARA) - To paraphrase a popular 1960s song: "The times, they are a'
changin." And so is grandma. As opposed to the grandmother of forty years
ago, today's grandmother is likely to work in corporate America, bench
press 75 pounds and travel to Europe, South America, or even Nepal.
A glance at the American Associated of Retired Persons (AARP) Web site
(http://www.aarp.org), for example,
demonstrates that today's seniors are eschewing retirement and continuing
to stay engaged and active participants in society. The site offers
information and resources on topics including "money and work," "the
volunteer experience," and "computers and technology."
Ironically, while examples of seniors enjoying productive lives abound,
most Americans continue to view aging as a totally negative process. Out
of ignorance or perhaps fear, Americans view aging as a process of decline
and steady erosion of the joys of living.
The good news for seniors, as well as those who will one day become
seniors, is that a good deal of the negative associations with aging are,
in fact, wrong or exaggerated. The real story, as noted in the
groundbreaking study on Successful Aging sponsored by the John D. and
Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, is that only 30 percent of how we age
can be attributed to genes; the remaining 70 percent is determined by our
lifestyle choices. Yes, we can choose to be healthier seniors, and it's
never too late.
I'd like to address some frequently held misconceptions on aging that I
too often hear in my work with seniors, and then provide the facts as we
now know them...the rest of the story.
- Misconception: Aging means Alzheimer's.
Fact: Of people over 65, only 10 percent have Alzheimer's disease.
Most forms of decreased mental function and dementia are caused by
disuse, i.e. letting the mind get lazy. Seniors can help prevent the
loss of mental function and some forms of dementia by stimulating the
brain with simple exercises that challenge the memory, such as doing
crossword puzzles, playing word games, conversing with friends and
family, learning new skills or traveling.
- Misconception: Aging means physical inactivity.
Fact: Seniors are not only capable of exercise, but require it to
maintain independence, good mental function, and to reduce risk of
disease. Aerobics (walking, swimming, etc.) is fundamental, yet strength
training produces dramatic results, allowing seniors who previously
required assistance with daily living to become independent again.
Stretching and balance exercises, like yoga or tai chai, can help
arthritis and prevent falls. With non-rigorous but consistent exercises,
seniors can achieve high levels of functioning. Just look at congressman
and astronaut John Glenn or 82-year-old Payton Thomas, senior world
record holder for the 100-yard dash.
- Misconception: Aging means fewer or no contributions to society.
Fact: Current retirees are more interested in an active life,
including continuing to work, than their parents' generation, according
to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll in March 1999.
 | 15 million older persons volunteer, nearly half the 65-plus
population in the U.S. |
| About 3.7 million older Americans (12 percent of the population)
were in the labor force in 1998, constituting approximately 2.8
percent of the U.S. labor force. |
Misconception: Aging means the end of learning.
Fact: Learning is, in fact, a lifelong process. Seniors with no
training have embraced computer technology and are the most rapidly
growing computer-literate demographic group. Likewise, seniors have
mastered other technologies that were unknown in their youth. More and
more, colleges and universities are realizing the huge demand for
continuing education in this population.
Misconception: Aging means loneliness and depression.
Fact: Unfortunately, this was indeed the fate of many previous
generations of older Americans, mostly because society had no role for
them. Today's seniors increasingly are finding alternatives to being
alone, such as house-sharing or moving to senior living communities,
where they can maintain social connections, continue to learn, and
contribute to the larger community through employment or volunteerism.
Recent research has smashed the stereotypes of aging. Growing older can
be rewarding and fun. Seniors who take charge of their health, stay
engaged in life, and use, rather than lose, their physical and mental
capabilities, can enjoy later years filled with vitality and joy. As
former Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham once put it, "No one can
avoid aging, but aging productively is something else."
About The Author
This article courtesy of ARA Content,
http://www.aracontent.com
e-mail: info@aracontent.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: Roger F. Landry received M.D. and M.P.H. (Master's
in Public Health) degrees. Dr. Landry's 22-year medical career with
the U.S. Air Force culminated with his appointment as Chief of
Aerospace, Occupational and Preventive Medicine from 1992-1995. Dr.
Landry specializes in "population medicine," or addressing the health
needs of a specific population. He formed All Ways Healthy, a
consulting firm focusing on seniors, after his military career.
Dr. Landry's work in the field of Successful Aging has paired him
with Westport Senior Living and its development partner Greystone
Communities to develop a pilot program incorporating the principles of
Successful Aging -- focusing on health and wellness of the mind, body
and spirit -- into every aspect of life in a senior community. |
This article was posted on September 29, 2001
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