Living life to the fullest: what does successful aging really mean?
At what point might we say a man or woman is truly aging successfully? Is it when they arrive at a certain age with no physical or mental impairments? Or is it merely staying alive until the ninth or tenth decade of life? People have a dramatic impact on their own success or failure in aging. What does successful aging really mean to those of us concerned with the health and well-being of aging adults?
Usual aging describes “the elderly who are functioning well, yet are at substantial risk for disease and disability.” Successful aging, on the other hand, is “the ability to maintain three key behaviours or characteristics:
• Low risk of disease and disease-related disability
• High mental and physical function
• Active engagement in life
But it’s never too late to lower the risk for premature death and disability.
Older adults will flourish if they seek and maintain the lowest possible risk of disease and disability. Successful agers are not fatalistic about the slings and arrows of aging, but actively intervene to change the course of what was previously considered inevitable. They identify risk and work with available medical knowledge and technology to change the future.
Older adults will flourish if they maintain the highest possible physical and mental function. At first glance, this seems a classic paradox: people who age well are those who maintain high function, and those who maintain high function are those who age well.
Flourishing older adults have a more youthful view, i.e. they believe in their ability to learn, to grow and to stay in the mainstream of life. Moreover, they acknowledge that setbacks will come. Rather than discontinuing an activity or a skill when confronted with pain or altered hand-eye coordination, for instance, they make the necessary adjustments to press on and continue that activity or a similar one. They don’t quit; they adapt. Finally, older adults flourish when they stay in the mainstream of life.
Engagement with life can be defined as maintaining a network of friends and family, and doing something meaningful. Humans need a sense of purpose to feel successful. In one view of aging, older adults are put out to pasture, with no role in society and disengaged from the social connections of earlier years. This is insidiously destructive to self-esteem and self-confidence, the indisputable characteristics of a successful person.
On longevity:
A sense of connectedness.These individuals typically have long-term, meaningful adult relationships with spouses or partners, or they belong to a community that gives them support and encouragement during times of crisis. Even pets connect them to something larger than themselves. I have no doubt in my mind that individuals who are physically fit, spiritually focused, psychologically intact and emotionally supported will do far better if they encounter a life-threatening illness such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes, than those who are isolated and disenfranchised.
But successful aging is not about being safe, preparing for death or avoiding all risk. Successful aging is about living as vital a life as possible, i.e. at the highest level of functioning.
Those who remained productive into their 70s and 80s shared the following characteristics:
• They had stable, long-term marriages.
• They maintained an ideal body weight through weight management and exercise.
• They observed moderate alcohol use, if they chose to drink.
• They made regular exercise a part of their lives—and this was before the benefits of exercise were really promoted.
• They developed adaptive coping skills (i.e. a sense of humour, resilience) and
refocused their energies on art, music and other activities.
Social involvement is the most powerful predictor of healthy aging. Most importantly, they develop strong social networks and spiritual beliefs that foster a sense of well-being. Attitude matters.
Pessimists die, on average, eight years younger than people who have a positive outlook on life. Human beings were designed to be joy- and fun-filled creatures. Life is a balancing act. We won’t live forever, but we can’t live like there’s no tomorrow, because tomorrow is coming. Every day, people risk the future by what they do or don’t do.
Older adults are works in progress with the capacity to grow, learn and produce, even as they deal with the issues of advancing age. All these individuals have a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
They feel connected to someone or something—whether it’s a person or a pet parakeet—who depends on them for his/her own purpose in life. They feel a need to contribute to society in some small way.
10 WAYS TO AGE SUCCESSFULLY.
1. Use it or lose it.
As with any skill or capability we have learned, our physical, mental and social abilities will deteriorate if not challenged. This is intuitive, yet somehow as we age we attribute lost ability to getting old, rather than being out of shape or out of practice.
2. Keep moving.
Physical activity is the closest thing we know to a fountain of youth. Staying active—even just 30 minutes of walking most days—can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, depression and even dementia. The best results come from three types of activity: endurance (walking, bicycling, swimming); flexibility and balance (stretching, yoga, tai chi); and strength. Strength training produces results that surprise both older adults and physicians. Just a few basic strength exercises twice weekly can work wonders to keep us totally independent for decades.
3. Challenge your mind.
A great deal of the mental ability lost with age can be attributed to lack of use. Our mental function depends on neural highways, which like neglected roads eventually become unavailable for use. But we can continue to learn and grow new connections (or highways) in our brains throughout our lives. Courses, conversations with friends, learning a language, or even word games can keep us mentally sharp. By keeping physically and mentally active, we are two times less likely to suffer from dementia.
4. Stay connected.
We are social creatures and need human interaction to thrive. We can cherish family, rebuild neglected friendships, join clubs and stay open to meeting new people.
5. Never act your age.
Our society equates aging with decline and expects little from older adults. If we follow our hearts, rather than obsolete expectations of aging, we will stay colourful, creative and engaged in life. And we will continue to contribute and give back to society.
6. Beware of the threats.
Most of us are at high risk for certain diseases or conditions. By identifying these risks and working with our doctors, we can lower these threats and stay well and functioning at high levels for decades. Choosing to have immunizations, cancer screenings and physical exams can help protect our health, as can choosing life over the high risk of cancer or heart disease associated with smoking.
7. Eat for the long haul.
Like machines, our bodies must have proper fuel to function. We need to drink lots of water, eat at least five helpings of fruits and vegetables daily, take a multivitamin, and talk to our doctors about additional supplements we may need. Above all, we should not go long periods without eating: low glucose levels in the blood may be responsible for some dementia in later life. We can stay lean with physical activity and balanced eating, rather than dieting.
8. Have children in your life.
We may value the relative peace and absence of responsibility in our lives since our children left home, but we will have a difficult time finding meaning in life or giving back without children involved. Those of us not blessed with grandchildren or great-grandchildren can look into other opportunities in the community, such as mentoring, storytelling at schools or libraries, or daycare. Organizations that work for the benefit of children, such as the Big Brothers and Big Sisters programs, also welcome volunteers.
9. Be needed.
There are many opportunities to work for the betterment of the community or of those less fortunate. We took care of others when we were younger. Now, more than ever, there is a need for us to reach out. Any activity that gives us a sense of nurturing the world around us will help us, as we help others. Even plants and pets can offer us the kinds of relationships that help us stay engaged in life.
10. Laugh.
The most common trait seen in people ages 100 years or older is a sense of humour and optimism. Humour is the mainstay of life. It allows us to bear discomfort, fear and loss, and still go on; it even stimulates the immune system, protecting us from disease. Humour also makes the journey more pleasant for us and for those around us.
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