Grandparents and "Active Aging"
It may sound like something that should happen in a winery, but active aging is instead something that should be happening in our lives. As grandparents we want our lives to be as long and as healthy as possible, so we'll be around for our grands and our greats. The way to do this, it appears from lots of different sources, is to stay physically active. Don't we all want to be "Fit, Not Frail"? The federal government thinks so. In October it will issue activity guidelines for older adults, developed by the United States Health and Human Services Department.
Miriam E. Nelson, one of those involved in the new guidelines, said that "with every increasing decade, exercise becomes more important in terms of quality of life, independence and having a full life." I am copying that statement and putting it where I can see it every day. She adds that at this time, "Americans are not on the right path.” The right path doesn't have to be a jogging path. I'm a huge fan of water aerobics, yoga and Leslie Sansone's walk-in-your-home DVDs, while I have more of a love-hate relationship with Pilates, weight machines and the elliptical.
I know that some grandparents have physical conditions that keep them from being as active as they would like, but there is a physical activity program for everyone. Have you seen the TV program Sit and Be Fit ?
Aging--we don't like the sound of that word. But active aging? That's a whole lot better!
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Comments
Interesting post. I’ve also been reading a lot about “Aging in Place” — where a person continues to live where they are regardless of age or functional abilities. Sounds like a family-friendly option to me!
“Aging in Place” is what we are currently doing with my dad, who is 92. My sister and I alternate staying with him with relief from a caregiver three days a week. We just had another conversation with him last night, and he wants to stay in his own home as long as possible. So we are committed to trying to make that happen.