ACTIVE AGING COOL WEBSITES

WALK.SCORE.COM- ON-LINE TOOL THAT CALCULATES THE WALKABILITY OF A NEIGHBORHOOD. HELPING YOU LOCATE RESIDENCES IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT SUPPORT WALKING. RESEARCH SUPPORTS THAT IN COMPACT NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE STREETS WERE DESIGNED FOR WALKING, THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL DECREASE IN OBESITY,DIABETES,LUNG DISEASE,HYPERTENSION, CAR ACCIDENTS, AIR POLLUTION.

THE PEACE CORP HAS STARTED TARGETING VOLUNTEERS THAT ARE 50 + YEARS OF AGE. NOW, HERE IS A WAY TO START GIVING BACK TO YOUR WORLD.  WWW.PEACECORPS.GOV/MINISITE/50PLUS

CHECK OUT BODYVIVE @ WWW.LESMILLS.COM. ONLY 160 CLUBS IN THE U.S HAVE CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS, AND PROGRAMMING.

 IF YOU HAVE BEEN VERY INACTIVE FOR DECADES OR HAVE HUGE BALANCE CHALLENGES: CHECK OUT SILVER SNEAKERS YOGA STRETCH AND SILVER SPLASH PROGRAMS WWW.SILVERSNEAKERS.COM

For a peek at the upcoming US Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for physical activity, to be released in October 2008, go to : www.health.gov/PA guidelines

Visit the Center for Successful Aging’s website: http://hhd.fullerton.edu/csa

 

TURNING OFF AGING, DRIVING DOWN HEALTH CARE COSTS

      Aging is not simply decay. You just don't wear out. But this how we have thought about aging until the research of the last five years has replaced our presumptive conclusions with knowledge.   One particular researcher from UC San Francisco demonstrated in 1993 that by manipulating a single gene in a one-millimeter worm; the worm's  healthy life span could be doubled.

      Cynthia Kenyon 's latest research has linked the growth of cancerous tumors to the aging process. The  conclusion from these two monumental breakthrough studies is that: is we can manipulate a single gene to slow aging, we can create a resistance in our bodies to the growth of cancerous tumors.

     You may recall from basic high school biology that cells divide: research has shown for quite some time that as cells divide little mistakes occur metabolically.  In our youth, our body's cells repair this damage to cells, tissues, organs: but as we age (not chronolgically, but metabolically), these mistakes accumulate, and our ability to repair all the damage created by these mistakes in cell division, just can't keep up.

      Mistakes in cell division, and metabolic aging imposed by poor lifestyle habits (the bad synergy that comes from poor nutrition, chronic idleness instead of movement, not forcing our systems to grow and adapt on the physical levels, and other forms of chronic stress) produce just about every disease and degenerative human condition that we as a society experience: Cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Osteoporosis, cardiac arrest, stroke.

     The promise of this research is that controlling the genes that control aging, may be easier that controlling the decades of poor lifestyle choices that contribute to a person's disease, and degenerative aging. 

The financial value to our health care system would be huge: as lifestyle related disease, and degenerative aging have overburdened our country's health care system, and our individual health care premiums to a critical breaking point.

     Now that we have the knowledge that aging can be turned on, and turned off, should our society continue to financially support individuals'  that repeatedly make illness choices, overuse and burden the health care systems, and  drive the cost of medical care for those practicing wellness thru the roof ?  It is the individual's right to make illness choices, including those that lead to morbid obesity.  But these individuals  are making themselves ill, overusing the health care system, and pay the same monthly fees that I do.  Health care should be VERY expensive for those making illness choices, maybe that would be the necessary deterrent.  

Suggestions for those beginning rehab of their lifestyle

To prevent falls, get up and down from a chair quickly, walk briskly, recover from being thrown off balance,or even brake quickly in a car: you need muscle power.  Muscle power declines faster than muscle strength over time: and most significantly after the age of 60.  Good news: water resistance can be very effective. In a supervised setting, using oversized water resistance equipment on your hands, and feet, an older adult can enhance improve their muscle power, and have a better chance at staying independent . Muscle power exercises in the spa are also beneficial to the same goal.Contact Mary E Sanders at www.waterfit.com for more information

BOOMERS WILL REDEFINE THE WORLD CONCEPT OF AGING...AGAIN !!

     Alot of people around the world are keeping a watchful eye on the choices that the baby boomers make in 2008.  Considering that in the U.S. alone in 2005 there were 78 million in 2005 (US Census) and in 2007, Canadian census bureaus reported 8.9 million people between 45 and 64 years of age.

Their preferences will influence all organizations in the world for many years to come.  So, what are we boomers looking for ??

     The International Council on Active Aging ( www. ICAA.com)  has identified 8 major trends indicating our intent to actively age : 

1. We use the internet to network socially,  make travel plans, and learn about health issues

       Newer age-qualified retirement communities all are hard wired for the internet; 89% of boomers get their health information from net sources; Kaiser and Secure Horizons and others have internet programs for their members  to access, education, tools, coaches, and a social network; 32% of us visit online communities that specifically market to the 50 year old + set. Some internet based travel companies, like Travel by Leisure Care (goal is to change the view among seniors, and their children, that they are too old to travel) actively promote physical activity and well being through travel. 

2. Retirement Communities are no longer all about golf

      Some are gay friendly ( like the Billie Jean King endorsed Rainbow Vision community in Santa Fe, NM; some are multigenerational communities near college campus'; some are in urban areas, close to live theatre and music, and the performing arts; 

    Some have fitness and athletic orientations.......with wine of course ! They are more about bonding with people of like interests, than away warm air, and swaying palms. Some neighborhoods simply evolve into retirement communities, as residents age in place,and desire to stay close to their friends: services are merely subcontracted, and brought in.

3. We intend to function cognitively, and intellectually at a high level throughout our aging

     Our brain health is paramount in importance: 69 % of us list dementia , and all it's forms as our top fear in aging.  Just look at the funding for Alzheimer's research. A close second is losing our physical functional health.

4. Technology is inspiring us to move in our living rooms, instead of watching TV

    There are the interactive games, like Wii ( Nintendo); Dance step mats (Dancetown); the Cybex Trazer          ( that leads movement, and gives sensory feedback).  Accepting the paramount importance of movement most boomers already own a pedometer.

5.   70% of us will work during our retirement years (AARP)

      Most of us want to continue to make a difference in our communities.  Many of us will choose a new career. Progressive companies worry about the age related brain drain, and are beginning to offer more flexible arrangements, in the interest of retaining this skilled workforce.

6. We will continue to learn. 

     On-line learning opportunities; programs at universities and colleges that focus on the 50 yr old + set; many boomers returning to college for a first degree at 60 years of age

7. Physical Fitness is priority #2

    Boomers understand that all money and education, and aspiration to travel in the world is useless, if their bodies are not in shape to enjoy it: age friendly gyms, training programs,seniors strength training as a norm; 25% of helth club members are over 55; 87 % of boomers over 60 years of age ist improving their physical health as a top priority.

8. Health Plans are beginning to pay for preventive services

    They are just beginning to understand that illness is more expensive to treat the wellness, and illness is at the vortex of our current skyrocketing medical costs.

For boomers, it is all about staying engaged in life, and not sitting around. There life experience has taught them that aging is not about chronology: with the research confirmations coming in at lightening speed; look for this generation to change the world view.........again.