Markers of health – such as blood pressure, weight, cholesterol and blood sugar levels are important. But as we age they are only part of the picture for healthy aging.
Dr. Rosanne Leipzig, a 74 year old geriatrician, has studied aging for 40 plus years, and is the Gerald and May Ellen Ritter Professor and Vice Chair, Emerita of the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. She shares her knowledge, insight and personal practices to help herself and her patients, all of whom are in their 80s, stay healthy, happy and sharp.
1. Move your body
Starting the day with some stretching and some strengthening exercises. This will help you feel stronger, have better focus, balance and will help you sleep better.
2. Stretch your mind
Jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, crosswords puzzles, Chess, Scrabble, and word searches are a few of the games that will help keep our minds sharp. Get into a habit of doing these 10 to 30 minutes a day, 4 or 5 days a week is ideal.
3. Get out in nature
Time outdoors, especially in the sun, can help improve energy and moods, and help with sleep.
4. Get involved in your community
Volunteer, become a mentor, join a club or organization. Being part of a group exercises your social and cognitive skills.
5. Use aids to improve quality of life
Hearing aids, walking aids or other supports improve your independence. People may refuse aids because they are afraid of ‘looking old’ or ‘giving in’ but not being able to participate in a conversation or attend an event is not worth it. Don’t be afraid to make small changes to boost your quality of life.
6. Strive for interdependence, not independence.
As we age, being too dependent on others can feel like a loss of agency. Interdependence means keeping your eye on what you really want to do and allowing others to help you do those things, whether it’s getting assistance that allows you to stay in your home or accepting help from a friend or neighbour, accepting help allows you to do more.
7. Take joy in incremental progress.
When an activity you love is not longer doable is to get creative about how you adapt to it. Pick a goal, start small and keep at it. Take joy in the progress an improvements you make. You never know what is possible.
