Does growing older mean living with chronic disease and accompanying disability? What’s the reality of aging as opposed to social stereotype?
The average 75-year-old American suffers from three chronic conditions and takes five prescription medications. (http://www.silverbook.org/fact/21) Yet, chronic diseases are mostly due to environmental and behavioral factors, rather than genetics or age, and are preventable. (http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/chronic.htm & http://www.californiahealthline.org/capitol-desk/2012/3/state-poll-numbers-support-prevention.aspx)
At the 5th Annual On Lok Conference on Sustainable Long-Term Care Cultivating Healthy Aging, keynote speaker Dan Buettner said that 20% of how long we live is dictated by genes, and the remaining 80% by lifestyle and environment.
Buettner’s research findings are published in his book, Blue Zones, where he identifies the Power of 9 habits shared by populations who live long, healthy lives with low rates of chronic disease. It’s noteworthy that the common denominator is living close to nature:
1. move naturally (versus exercise)
2. “right” outlook: having purpose in life, daily rituals to de-stress
3. eat wisely: plant-based, eat until 80% full (Confucius recommended 70%), moderate consumption of wine with food/friends (though Adventists abstain from alcohol)
4. connect: loved ones first (intergenerational families), belong to faith-based community, right tribe to reinforce healthy behaviors
The conference ended with panelists discussing uses of technology to provide social networks, videogames and cell phone texting for medication reminders. As a nature lover and reluctant blogger, I’m skeptical about making technology into a “healthy” habit.
I always thought a gardening habit—which provides natural movement, a reason to get up in the morning, daily meditation with nature to de-stress, fresh produce to eat, a form of recreation with family/friends, etc.—kept my grandfather alive through 9 decades. Gardening happens in the natural, not virtual, world.
Blue Zones: http://www.bluezones.com/live-longer/power-9/
