Thanks to advances in medicine, sanitation and nutrition, our life expectancy has been rising over the years. That’s the good news. The not-so-good news is that a longer life doesn’t always mean a healthier life. Many people experience more years with chronic conditions or limited mobility. For far too long, these health issues have been seen as a “normal part of aging,” and our approach has been to wait until problems arise and then treat them with medication. While medical care is obviously vital, there may be a better way to think about healthy aging.
A recent report from the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) Wellness Think Tank, titled “Wellness: The Pathway to Longevity” suggests that the key to a longer, happier life isn’t just about treating disease, but actively promoting vitality and wellness. The report urges us to shift how we approach aging – “moving from a care model that focuses on sickness to a wellness model that focuses on thriving.”
Focus on the Whole Person
One of the key takeaways from the report is that longevity isn’t just about living longer but living better. Of course, we all want to eliminate or alleviate disease or chronic conditions, but what if we shifted our mindset to take a proactive approach to treating the whole person, rather than simply reacting to physical ailments? What if we thought about wellness as a combination of dimensions, including:1
· Physical Wellness: Maintaining functional ability through movement, strength and nutrition.
· Social Wellness: Building and maintaining meaningful relationships to prevent isolation.
· Emotional Wellness: Managing stress and cultivating a positive outlook.
· Intellectual Wellness: Keeping the brain engaged through learning, new challenges and experiences.
· Spiritual Wellness: Finding purpose and meaning in life.
· Vocational Wellness: Feeling productive and using one’s skills even after retirement.
Physical Movement is the Foundation
While all of these elements are necessary to healthy aging, the report emphasizes that “physical movement is non-negotiable” for longevity. A mountain of evidence supports the health benefits of regular exercise, especially as we age. It can help you maintain strength, flexibility and balance, which can prevent falls, as well as manage chronic conditions and retain our independence.
No one is suggesting that older people should be training for a triathlon (although many do!). The report focuses on maintaining “functional fitness,” which refers to the ability to perform daily tasks like getting out of a chair, carrying groceries, cooking meals, and showering/bathing safely. Being able to take a walk outside, play with your grandchildren, participate in social functions, and be productive – all of which contribute to overall wellness – are highly dependent on functional fitness.
The key is to find age-appropriate strength and cardiovascular exercises that fit your abilities. And you don't need a gym membership since most exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home.
PhysioBoard Makes Exercising Safe and Doable
However, if you have trouble getting up and down from the floor, it can be challenging to exercise and stretch at home. Unfortunately, many people stop doing functional exercises because they are unable to use the floor or feel unsafe doing so. That’s why we developed the PhysioBoard!
Designed by a physical therapist and an engineer, the PhysioBoard converts your bed into a firm padded exercise surface. Beds do not provide the proper firmness to exercise effectively and can actually cause strain from improper form. While the PhysioBoard is strong and rigid, it has a comfortable padded surface, and is lightweight, making it easy to move on and off your bed. Our goal is to empower people to continue exercising, despite physical limitations, to maintain strength, mobility and independence. To learn more about PhysicBoard, visit https://physioboard.net/
Be Well
The shift from simply treating illness to taking a holistic approach to wellness can be life changing. Instead of just extending life, we can take an active role in living more vital, purposeful, joyful lives as we age. You can start this journey by finding daily opportunities to support your physical, social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and vocational well-being.
1https://agingtoday.com/longevity/holistic-wellness/