Functional Aging...anybody up on it?

[James Burke]

So I visited the assisted care home where my mom stays, and I walked away with a ton of questions last week.

One of mom's new friends is ten years her senior. And at 91 years old, the little gal prances around there like a spring fawn. She even pushes mom (who happens to outweigh her by 2:1) around in the wheel chair.

I happened to watch two elderly ladies out on the veranda one afternoon, and after a bit of conversation they both stood up and moved their discussion indoors. The elder of the two used a rolling walker, but the younger trailed along without any hint of hesitation. Mom turned to me and said that the pair was mother and daughter...and that the mom was 102 years old. As the daughter trotted on out to her car, I mentally crunched some numbers and figured her to be around 80.

So then, I either want to know what's in the water they've been drinking...or what else they're doing right. I know genetics has a lot to do with it, but so does epigenetics (the ability for genes to express themselves differently, primarily the result of a healthy lifestyle).

And then there's "functional aging", which is sort of like training for the Olympics but only better. Instead of competing for a gold medal, you're awarded good, or perhaps better than average health throughout the golden years.

I'm just curious if this is on anybody else's radar?


JB

 

[Gino]

So, going to this old folks home, you're starting to feel your timeline ?? Coming in touch with your own mortality ??


It's basically how you approach life day to day and live your life. Many can say they abused their life throughout, reached an old age, but then they have aches and pains. Others will just roll with the punches and just thank God to be alive. And then, there're those who do something about it and wanna have quality life until the last breath. They are the do'ers and take care of themselves and enjoy life, no matter what it throws at ya.

 

[Solventinkjet]

I used to work at a nursing home. The people who went for a walk before or after every meal seemed to be the healthiest and happiest. I think what it comes down to is to keep moving if you want to be able to move when you are older. The ones who made it a habit to move around when they were younger kept that strength into old age.

 

[OldPaint]

AS 1 OF THOSE......... iam 71, i can say i agree with the "keep moving" and doing people, once you give up and sit the days away.........death aint far away...........no matter what physical aliments you have......most can be worked around.
i have A muscle disease called INCLUSIVE BODY MYOCITIS. if you know of MD, MS, it is a lesser degree of muscle wasting away. but still takes your strength away. i used to be the guy people called to move heavy objects......NOW........... i cant even open a 1/2 gallon of milk, and wont even try to pick up a 1 gallon.
BUT IAM STILL GOING.... thiis is me last sunday working on our car club music trailer. notice the rolling chair.......its either that or fall. oh i had plenty of help..........thats one of theingsa i have learned to ASK FOR)))

 

[Billct2]

My dad got Emphyzema when I was in grammar school. He quit smoking and started running. Even ran some marathons, ran into his 70s when he had to slow down, so he walked. The disease caught up with him in his 80s and he eventually was on full time oxygen when he hit 90. He was very pro active about medications, any pneumonia symptoms and he also did crosswords and other brain trainers. He was doing real well till just a few weeks before he died. It was definitely from his choice to work at staying healthy.

 

[Billct2]

Oh, and I should have added for Gino's benefit that he enjoyed a couple fingers of Irish Whiskey every evening

 

[Gene@mpls]

I would like to go on the record as being in favor of functional aging (I am working on it)... I have the functional alcoholic thing down pretty good now. Aging is my next goal. I just turned 70 (not quite as advanced as OP) and I am here at 7:00, 7 days a week having some kind of fun- currently my laser has me fascinated. Have'n a happy retirement. Gene

BTW- my mom died at 95- still living in her home by herself, and she had her hands and feet amputated when she was 65. Tough lady, makes it hard to whine about my very minor 1st world problems