Aging Well? Our Healthy Aging Checklist Will Help You See How You Stack Up?

Despite common misconceptions,  aging well is not simply function of luck or genetics.  There are several proactive things that we all can do to help us age well and in some cases stave off many of the negative affects of aging. Review our “Aging Well Checklist” to see how you stack up. 

1. Commit to an Active Lifestyle: We all learned in physics class that an object at rest, stays at rest and an object in motion, stays in motion. Motion, or exercise in this instance, plays a vital role in maintaining your strength, mobility and vitality as you age. It’s no coincidence that seniors such as Chuck Norris, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Suzanne Somers are enjoying healthy, active lifestyles well into their 60’s and 70s & 80s. (Yes, Chuck just turned 82).  What they all have in common is a shared belief in the power and importance of exercise in achieving good health, wellness and longevity. Doing some form of sustained physical exercise 5 days a week is ideal. 
2. Avoid Unhealthy Habits: Smoking, drinking excessive alcohol, high fat/high sugar diets and excessive sitting are all unhealthy habits that will be harmful over time and undermine your health.
3. Whole Foods & Supplement When Necessary:  Are you opting for whole foods rather than processed or refined foods?  Whole foods include fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, meat, fish and eggs. Furthermore, after age 50, our bodies often need more of the following nutrients from  food and or supplements  in order to maintain optimal health.  

• Calcium
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B-12 
• Vitamin B-6 

Consult with your physician to determine if supplementation is needed for you. 

1. Stay Connected to People & Community:  Aging is a team sport. People who have meaningful social connections fare far better than those who go it alone. According to the Mayo Clinic, positive relationships can boost your happiness, reduce stress, improve your confidence and help you cope with traumatic life events. Adults with a strong social network have reduced risk of depression, lower blood pressure and tend to maintain a more healthy body mass index. Do you have  2 or 3 meaningful human connections or social outlets? If not, reengage with loving family members, friends and your community.  
2. Stay Up on Doctor Visits & Screenings: Two-thirds of male respondents said they avoid going to the doctor as long as possible, and 37 percent said they withhold information from their doctors.  The unfortunate reality is that without annual doctor visits and the necessary preventative screenings, early indicators will go undetected. This could very well lead to chronic conditions that may have been prevented.
3. Home Safety Evaluation:  As we age, it becomes increasingly important to evaluate the hazards that may be present in the home. 

• Keep Floors Clutter Free. The easiest method for preventing falls is to keep your loved one’s home neat and tidy. Remove all clutter, such as stacks of old newspapers and magazines, especially from hallways and staircases.
• Look for Trip Hazards. Home fixtures can contribute to falls, which can then lead to back pain and other injuries. Examine every room and hallway, looking for items such as loose carpet, slippery throw rugs, or wood floorboards that stick up.  All area rugs should be secured to the floor with carpet tape and loose floor boards repaired.
• Consider Handrails or Grab Bars: These safety devices are crucial for going up and down stairs, getting on and off the toilet, and stepping in and out of the bathtub without injuring yourself.
• Keep Home Well Lit:  To create a home that’s more suitable for an older resident, install brighter light bulbs where needed, particularly in stairways and narrow hallways. Experts recommend adding night-lights in bedrooms and bathrooms for better guidance at night.              

1. Keep Laughing:  Laughter isn’t just a quick pick-me-up, though. It’s also good for you over the long term. Laughter may:

• Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.
• Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.
• Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.
• Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your stress, depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier. It can also improve your self-esteem.