Focusing on healthy ageing, why not brag about how old you are!?
In Australia, our over 65 population is growing rapidly. This age group has more than tripled over the last fifty years, rising to 3.5 million. Older people now account for 15% of our population, compared to only 8% in 1964. Many are living full and productive lives well into their 80’s and 90’s. What is the secret to healthy ageing and how do we achieve it??
Healthy active ageing means enjoying physical, social and emotional health and well-being in older age. Genetic, environmental and behavioural factors will all influence the way we age. Genetic factors may be out of our control, but we can make many lifestyle choices that will impact positively upon our future health.
Here are some modifiable factors to consider:
- Physical activity
- Nutrition
- Emotional well-being – mental health is just as important as physical health.
- Social connection and involvement in group activities
- Active participation in decisions regarding your health
- Maintaining independence
- Making the most of services that are available to improve your quality of life
- Health promotion: both preventative health measures + chronic disease management
- Hearing assessment and addressing hearing impairment.
Physical Activity,
Being active is important at all ages, but is particularly important in older people.
Being physically active delays and reduces the risk of developing many chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It can reduce the risk of some cancers, and even some forms of dementia. It also improves our mental health, muscle strength, flexibility, and balance thereby reducing the risk of falls. This consequently helps maintain independence for longer. In older people, just a few days of physical inactivity can lead to notable physical decline. For this reason, current guidelines suggest older people engage in 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every day. This may be easier to achieve if broken up into three lots of 10 minutes or through participating in group activities – which is also a great way to keep socially connected with one’s community.
Research shows that the earlier you commit to a healthy lifestyle, the better your chances of ageing well. And the more physically active and connected with others you are, the better you feel regardless of age. At Airlie Women’s Clinic we encourage annual check-ups with your GP and we also offer specific government-subsidised annual health assessments for anyone over the age of 75, as well as for those aged 45-49. These assessments take a holistic approach, focusing on your individual lifestyle factors as well as health conditions, to help you achieve optimal well-being. Preventative health measures and a healthy lifestyle throughout our lifespan promotes healthy ageing…whilst we can’t as yet stop the ageing process, we can choose how we wish to age.