Postively Aging:
Exploring New Avenues You may find that you will receive more satisfaction from your
free time in retirement if you regard that time as an opportunity to look anew at
yourself, and continue to grow personally.
Rather than "losing it" as we age, we actually have the ability to continuously expand
our mental capacities throughout our lives. Today learning isn't limited to formal
education - although that's one effective way to keep mentally active.
Listed below are some educational avenues to consider:
- Parks and Recreation-
It is impossible to list individually the many wonderful programs and classes
each Parks and Recreation Department offers. Most facilities offer special programs,
classes and trips just for seniors.
- Libraries -
Today libraries abound with resources for learning - magazines,
newspapers, video and audio-cassettes, computers, recordings and artwork - to name
some. Libraries can help you research a particular subject of provide referral
services, which can direct you to valuable resources in your community.
- Museums -
Museums are unique places to learn. By browsing or by enrolling in the
organized courses some museums offer, you can uncover a wealth of cultural, social
or historical information.
- Telecourses -
Without leaving your living room, you're
able to obtain college credit or simply tune in to your television for an educational
change of pace. Texts and other materials are usually available to accompany each
course.
- The lnternet -
Now, more than ever, you can find numerous on-line educational
avenues. For example, the internet allows vou to look up summer courses or Emeritus
programs. You may be able to e-mail a teacher or chat on-line with classmates. The
internet opens a whole new world for self-study and provides another vehicle for
more formal course work.
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Postively Aging:
With Good Nutrition and Physical Activity
It is never too late to adopt a lifestyle that will promote a long, healthy, and
independent life! Studies show that good nutrition and physical activity can help
improve your quality of life.
NUTRITION:
- Good nutrition prolongs independence by maintaining hearing and vision, cognitive
abilities, physical strength, mobility, and endurance.
- Good nutrition promotes health by lowering chronic disease risk for heart disease,
stroke, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
- 87% of older Americans have one or more chronic diseases that can be improved by
nutrition therapy, including cancer, lung disease, heart failure, dementia, diabetes,
high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, osteoporosis, obesity and overweight.
- 40% of community-residing older Americans eat poorly. For example, three fourths of
African American and two-thirds of white older Americans eat less than the 5 recommended
servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Up to two-thirds of hip fractures are due to
inadequate calcium intake.
50% of older caregivers are at nutritional risk and would benefit from nutrition
interventions.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:
- Regular physical activity sustains the ability of older adults to live independently.
- One-third of older adults are inactive. Older women are less active than older men.
African American older adults are less active than white older adults.
- Regular physical activity benefits individuals with arthritis and those with
depression and anxiety. It may reduce the risk to cognitive decline in older adults.
- Physical activity is effective in treating heart disease, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, obesity and overweight, and arthritis.
- Regular physical activity can improve the mobility and functioning of frail and very
old adults. Weight training, flexibility, and endurance activities can also reduce
the risk of fall injuries.
- Osteoporosis can be delayed or prevented by moderate walking. Two million men suffer
from osteoporosis; it is not just a women's disease.
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