Age is approaching for all of us, and although it presents some challenges, it is possible to live well, even as the years go by. The concept of active aging is becoming increasingly relevant, and that is exactly what we are going to talk about today!
Several countries such as Singapore and Portugal, and many other developed countries, are facing a rapidly aging population. The expectation is that by 2030, one in five people will be 65 or older. So ensuring that this increasingly graying population leads healthy, productive, empowered, and dignified lives is a challenge that involves individual effort, political will, and community participation.
One way to make the aging process lighter and ensure that the senior population continues to have a high quality of life is to disseminate the concept of active aging and its pillars. So, continue with us to learn all about it!
What is active aging?
Active aging is a concept created by the World Health Organization that evokes the idea of a more active and healthy old age, whether in the work sphere or in the social sphere, including greater engagement of the elderly with issues important to society, such as politics and citizen participation.
Active aging is also considered a holistic approach that helps a person optimize their physical, mental and social health, be actively engaged in society, and have the financial security to lead a good quality of life.
This concept starts not only when you get older, but is a mindset that applies to anyone at any stage of life. Primarily, aging in place helps to promote healthy living and consequently extend the life expectancy and quality of life for all people (including those who are frail, disabled and in need of care) as they age.
Finally, according to studies on successful aging, genetics affects only one-third of how well we age; two-thirds is based on what we can control: our personal lifestyle choices. Therefore, attitude and lifestyle are the key factors not only for longevity, but also for quality of life.
Factors that influence active aging
Other factors that affect healthy longevity include the broader social and socioeconomic landscape. That is, this includes culture and gender; behavior, biology, and genetics; economics; your social circle; existing health systems and social services; and the environment.
Culture and gender
Culture influences many decisions. One of these is the expectation that the woman in the family should be a caregiver for a sick spouse or an aging parent. Then caregiving responsibilities in turn affect a woman’s financial independence and in the long run are linked to increased poverty and health problems in old age.
Behavior, biology, and genetics
Lifestyle habits have been shown to impact a person’s longevity and quality of life. So while much of aging is genetically determined and cannot be changed. Soon, your state of health is also a result of genetics, environment, lifestyle, and nutrition. This means that the right lifestyle, behavior, and mindset can delay or prevent the onset of certain diseases.
Economy
Perhaps this is one of the most obvious factors. Income, work opportunities, and social protection all impact financial well-being in old age. Any form of work (formal, informal, or voluntary) can increase social contact and psychological well-being, and gives seniors a sense of purpose and creates financial security. In addition, having money during old age to take care of one’s own health and invest in leisure time also contributes positively to active aging.
Social circle
Social support and participation in the community are important aspects of aging well. Encouraging intergenerational interaction also develops social well-being. In addition, it allows younger people to have more positive and realistic attitudes toward the older generation. There is a taboo, for example, that older people do not perform as well in psychological counseling; this is not only not true, but also the involvement in the social circle.
Health and social service systems
To promote active aging, health systems need to focus on health promotion. As well as, disease prevention and maintaining access to quality primary health care and long-term care facilities. After all, there is no way to have active aging without keeping up with health care.
Environment
A friendly and accessible environment for seniors is important to support the changing physical needs of seniors so they can remain independent and active. Wide steps with gentle slopes, handrails, wheelchair-accessible paths and doors, accessible elevators, and accessible public transportation services allow people of all ages and circumstances to participate in family or community life, and decrease the occurrence of accidents.
How to lead a more active life in old age
Now let’s look at some practical steps you can take to engage with active aging?
- Take a walk most days: a 2017 study from The Lancet reported that people who were physically active for 30 minutes five days a week, whether walking, doing housework, or gardening, reduced their risk of dying prematurely by 25% and of developing heart disease.
- Engage in social activities: seniors who socialize frequently enjoy better health and quality of life. Lack of social connection can disrupt sleep, raise blood pressure, and increase an elderly person’s chance of premature death.
- Lifelong learning: stimulating your brain with new learning is as important a mental exercise as physical exercise. Continuing to learn each day will help keep your mind sharp, strengthen memory and concentration, and lower the risk of dementia.
- Eat healthy, nutrient-rich foods: as people age, they need fewer calories, but as many or even more nutrients in some cases. A healthy diet, with regular physical activity, can help prevent or slow the progress of diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.
- Be positive about aging: a Yale University study found that seniors who had a positive attitude toward aging lived more than seven years longer than those with negative attitudes.
- Nap for an hour a day: napping for an hour in the afternoon is linked to improved memory and ability to think clearly, and is better than no napping and shorter or longer naps, according to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The study further showed that regular sleep patterns for seniors are also associated with a longer life.
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