The New Old Age

It’s a situation that can catch you off guard when you suddenly realize that you qualify for an age-based discount or ticket.  Some grocery stores and restaurants consider a senior to be 50 years of age and older, and although it can be nice to save a little money, few people appreciate being categorized in the "senior” age group.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines an “older adult” as someone at least 60 years of age. The National Institute on Aging defines a senior as someone 65 years of age and older. 65 is also the age that most people retire and start receiving social security income or a pension.

Why Age Matters

Ultimately, age groups are social constructs, and they vary by culture. Categorization is merely the classification of individuals into groups based on characteristics deemed meaningful by society. The age structure of a population has important impacts for various features of society such as economic growth rates, labor force participation, housing markets, and educational and healthcare services among others.

In actuality, the number of years you have lived does not indicate the level of your mental, psychological, or biological health. Age is only used as a gauge to make assessments and decisions, provide services, and anticipate the needs of the population based on similar characteristics.

Where Numbers Matter

Research using age-based data has shown how much the health of the population has improved, and longevity increased over the past 100 years. The study indicates that “Americans are not only living longer than in the past, but are also healthier throughout the life cycle, even in old age.”

The National Bureau of Economic Research shows that “There were 88,988 people aged 100 and older in 2022. This is more than double the number in 1980 (32,194).”  Medical advances are only part of the reason for the changes. It is individual personal choices that appear to be the primary determinants of aging well.

Although we all know that there are young children who die of cancer and 100-year-olds who have smoked for 80 years, the percentage of these outliers is small. Data obtained over long periods of study show definite correlation between certain habits and behaviors with health, longevity, and aging well.

Research supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) has identified some key points that will help each of us age well. Together they target managing health, living as independently as possible, and maintaining quality of life as you age.

Key Points for Aging Well

The result of the research is not a secret. Everywhere you look there are advertisements for products that will improve your health and make you feel happier.  The basic areas of critical self-care are:

• Regular exercise - The type of exercise is not as important as being as physically active as possible as you age. Some people run as exercise, some do yoga, and others garden. What appears to matter most is being consistently active.
• Healthy food – According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy diet helps to protect against malnutrition in all its forms, as well as noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. A healthy diet includes the following:
  • Fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains.
  • At least 400 g (i.e. five portions) of fruit and non-starchy vegetables per day
  • Less than 10% of total energy intake from free sugars which is equivalent to about 12 level teaspoons. This includes honey, syrup, and fruit juices.
  • Less than 30% of total energy intake from fats. It is suggested that the intake of saturated fats be reduced to less than 10% of total energy intake and trans-fats to less than 1% of total energy intake
  • Less than 5 g of salt (about one teaspoon) per day.  Salt should be iodized.

   

• Skincare - The best creams and moisturizers for aging skin are often loaded with nourishing ceramides or hyaluronic acid. In the morning, use a moisturizer with SPF, or use sunscreen on top of a light moisturizer. At night, choose an anti-wrinkle cream with a richer formula. Look for products containing peptides or ceramides.
• Supportive Friends - Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship as well. Being socially active reduces stress, improves physical health, and increases happiness.
• Quality Sleep - The brain needs sleep to regulate your body, restore energy, and repair damage. Without a healthy amount of sleep, you're left vulnerable to health conditions that accelerate aging. Quality sleep also improves cardiovascular health, reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, and it also contributes to healthy weight management.
• Eliminate Stress -  Chronic stress accelerates aging by damaging cell structures and causing inflammation. Managing stress through relaxation techniques and a balanced lifestyle helps mitigate its impact on the body and promotes healthy aging.

Becoming a senior citizen is entering a phase of life that can bring increased wisdom, self-confidence, emotional stability, and deeper relationships. Embracing the process of aging through a healthy diet, an active lifestyle, good skincare, and quality sleep, we can ensure we are aging well.

A Professional Caregiver  

A professional caregiver can be an important part of your support system when you are working on living your best life. A professional caregiver can provide care, and companionship for you or a loved one in the comfort of home. You can find a professional caregiver through our website whether you need someone full-time, or for just a few hours a week. Right at Home will work with you to select the perfect, qualified, professional caregiver to make sure that your loved one’s needs are met. Each caregiver is screened and bonded to ensure professionalism. Our unique five-step process will provide just the right fit for your family. Contact us today at 631.352.0022 and ask for a FREE in-home consultation.