Statistics Canada projects that by 2017 there will be more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 15 in our country. The proportion of seniors in Canada has been growing rapidly, leading to the well known phenomenon called “The Aging Population”. There are many undesirable aspects associated with age; however, the average age of Canadians continues to rise. There are many reasons for this: better health care, more sophisticated medical treatments, a wider variety of medications, the list goes on. But simply living a healthy lifestyle has huge implications on our health in older age as well. The great thing about living a healthy lifestyle is that people of all ages are able to reap the benefits; it’s never too late to start.
The two most notable aspects to living a healthy life are nutrition and physical activity. The Canadian Food Guide is a great resource for those learning about how to eat healthy and maintain a nutrient rich diet. There are recommendations for males and females of all age groups and how to eat the right portions. It is very important to eat a well-balanced diet in order to sustain a healthy weight and prevent nutrient deficiencies. Another benefit to eating healthy is keeping fat and sodium consumption in check. While these are necessary components in the diet, they must be controlled in order to prevent chronic disease.
Physical activity is also very important in maintaining a balanced life style. One should aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days per week. Some examples of moderate physical activity are biking, brisk walking, mowing the lawn with a push mower or heavy cleaning, such as washing the windows and floors. It is also important to incorporate strength training with weights to preserve bone health and muscle tone. Osteoporosis is a prevalent issue for those over the age of 65 and strength training three to four times a week may combat this disease, among others. The last component of physical activity is stretching. It is important to stretch five to seven times per week to improve circulation, relax tense muscles and increase joint range of motion to name a few. It is especially important to stretch after aerobic or muscle training to prevent injury.
Psychological health and social health are also important to maintaining quality of life. Mind working activities such as crossword and Sudoku puzzles are good ways to keep the mind healthy. Making a goal to learn something new every day is another way to maintain mental health. Social ties, such as talking to others and meeting new people also contribute to well-being. Because the body functions as a whole, psychological and social health are just as important as diet and exercise in preserving overall health. Whether 15 or 65, everyone should incorporate some of these behaviours into their life.
The Seniors’ Centre for Excellence offers several programs for seniors that are free or very low cost. There are exercise programs offered in Palmerston, Drayton and Clifford for those of all ability levels. This group also offers a creative art program for seniors. Artistic expression is an important factor in mental health and allows people to use a different part of their brain from that used in day to day life. Finally, the Seniors’ Centre for Excellence offers a luncheon once a month at which anyone can drop in, enjoy a healthy meal and learn about issues relevant to senior health. There are many other local programs for seniors, but anyone interested will have to come to the next luncheon in their area to hear about those.
Not sure how to start getting more active or making healthier choices when it comes to eating? The Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team is a great resource! Like them on facebook (Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team) and follow them on twitter (@MintoMapleton) for healthy living tips and information on upcoming programs and events in the area.For more information about any of the free services offered by the Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team, visit their website at www.mmfht.ca or call our Drayton office at 519-638-2110 or our Clifford office at 519-327-4777.
submittted by the Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team
