Understanding Aging
Positively Getting Older
We hear much about the negatives of aging - the pull of gravity and wearing down of systems. What are the positives?
Sociologic ChangesWith age, sociologic changes occur between aging individuals and family and friends due to the loss of peers and contemporaries -- a spouse, siblings, other relatives, old friends and neighbors. This can lead to isolation unless a concerted effort is made to stay socially active. Getting out and being involved presents opportunities to meet new people. New friends may never replace the lost closeness shared with someone who knew you before your hair turned grey, or before your first child was born. But the support network that comes with sharing life with peers can counter loneliness and goes a long way toward dispelling feelings of isolation. The more people you interact with daily, the more chance there is to form new bonds. The more people there will be to bond, with in years to come.
Being involved and busy, focuses on the present and future. If we lose close contemporaries we have less opportunity to touch others. As babies thrive when cuddled and touched, so do adults. Opportunities to hug and be hugged diminish with losses. It's important to create new ones. A handshake, or pat on the back helps. Go out of your way to practice these, making it okay for others to touch you. Grandchildren can provide opportunities for physical closeness. If you don't see them often create opportunities through surrogate grandparenting. Retirement can be a beginning not and end.
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New Attitude on Successful Aging
The
study used subjective reports by the participants, all of
whom lived independently, and the sample of individuals matched
the national averages of medical and mental health conditions.
Also, those who regularly engaged in such activities as reading
and writing and community socializing gave themselves higher
scores than those who did not. And in contradiction to longtime
received wisdom, volunteer activities were not found to exert
the same influence on participants. Thus, those things leading
to successful aging are well within an individual's control.
The key is adopting personal coping mechanisms as difficulties
come along, and remaining as physically, socially, and mentally
active as possible in one's circumstances.
(Released at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology's
(ACNP) Annual Meeting, the research was conducted at and funded
by the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging
at the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) School of
Medicine.) 806 |
For you females, the Red Hat Society offers
an excellent venue to stay socially active. This society has evolved
into the largest women's movement worldwide changing the perception
of aging women. This organization uses the iconic Red Hat to have
fun and bond as sisters as they travel through life together.
Red Hatters are focused on women over 50. This worldwide sisterhood
has nearly 40,000 chapters across the US in all 50 states and in
more than 30 foreign countries. Each chapter averages about 20-25
members. Their full regalia for outings include red hats and purple
clothing. Membership includes a diverse network of women including
working women and retirees, grandmothers, golfers, attorneys, teachers,
Olympians and entertainers.
Seniorresource.com provides a convenient adjunct to
its Senior Bazaar to buy Red Hat items for yourself our as a gift.
See Seniorresource.com Red Hat Items
For more information contact:
Red Hat Society "Hatquarters":
431 S. Acacia Ave., Fullerton, CA 92831
Phone: 714-738-0001 or 866-FUN-AT50 (toll-free)
Fax: 714-738-0005
Did you know that taking a class in just about any subject can improve your cognitive abilities, rejuvenate your memory, and have fun all at the same time? Recent scientific studies clearly show that senior citizens who stay mentally active enjoy all of these rewards. Get more information including links to low cost classes here.
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