Staying active is incredibly important for people of all ages, but it’s particularly essential for older adults. However, the word “active” encompasses much more than physical fitness; it also relates to social, spiritual and emotional activities.
Using your mind, body and spirit in harmony can help you achieve a clearer sense of self and a higher quality of life, especially as you age.
All of this brings us to the day’s topic: active aging.
For those who don’t know, active aging is a lifestyle choice that aims to extend and improve the quality of life by focusing on various aspects of your physical and mental well-being.
An active ager is a person who takes on this lifestyle choice and does their best to follow the dimensions of an active lifestyle.
Being an active ager is beneficial for older adults, as it can help them stay intellectually, emotionally and socially engaged with those around them.
Being an active ager may sound as simple as staying fit and maintaining a balanced diet, but there’s much more to it than that.
The International Council of Active Aging (ICAA) has outlined the seven dimensions of wellness that make a well-rounded, “active” lifestyle. These dimensions include:
If you’d like to become an active ager, you may want to take a moment to learn about the nine principles.
The ICAA created the nine principles of active aging to help the healthcare industry, employers, government officials, and product/service providers prepare for the aging population.
The nine principles include:
Did you know that there’s a week-long campaign for active agers?
It’s true! The campaign, Active Aging Week, is an annual celebration from October 2nd to 8th that highlights the positive aspects of aging.
The campaign’s primary goal is to push societal perceptions of older adults and demonstrate how individuals over 50 can excel in various aspects of life.
If you’d like to participate, contact Seasons Retirement Communities to learn what your local residence is doing to celebrate.
Actively aging may seem like a serious undertaking, but it’s as simple as changing your mindset and making positive lifestyle choices. Below are some helpful tips and tricks that you and your loved ones can use if you’d like to become active agers:
A “glass half-full” mentality can be incredibly beneficial for older adults. A positive attitude about aging can help older individuals reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Additionally, older adults with a positive attitude are also known to benefit from improved, healthier sleeping patterns.
As mentioned above, staying social is an enormous aspect of the active aging process. Joining clubs and social groups can help older adults meet new people and can help prevent loneliness or isolation.
To become an active ager, seek ways to get involved in your community. Volunteering with local organizations, like food banks, is incredibly rewarding, as it allows older adults to give back to those in need.
Being an active ager requires a lot of energy. To have enough energy, you must ensure that you and your loved ones are ready to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Some common examples include:
As the name implies, active aging requires you to use your body; however, you must also keep your mind active.
Older adults who want to become active agers should seek opportunities to stimulate their minds. From learning a new language to working on a new skill, there are countless ways that older adults can keep themselves mentally active.
At Seasons Retirement Communities, we encourage all our residents to become active agers. However, we know that it can take some encouragement.
Seasons Retirement Communities locations are hosting various events to celebrate Active Aging Week, so contact your local Seasons Retirement Communities location to learn more and join the celebrations.
