Ageing and Active Living
People are living longer nowadays, with Australia’s average life expectancy above 80. A longer life brings more opportunities, not only for older people and their families but also for society as a whole. Yet these opportunities are highly dependent on HEALTH.
As we age, we are more likely to experience several conditions associated with ageing such as; hearing loss, cataracts, Osteoarthritis, Diabetes, Dementia, and so on. Disease and disability can impair our quality of life and wellbeing dramatically.
So how can we make sure that we’re ageing healthily?
Healthy ageing has been defined by the World Health Organisation as:
“The extent to which an individual or group is able to realise aspiration and satisfy needs, and to change or cope with the environment; health is a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living: it is a positive concept emphasising social and personal resources as well as physical capabilities.”
An active lifestyle is one of the most important elements, including physical, social and cognitive activity. It reduces not only the likelihood of chronic disease but also prevents physical and cognitive decline in later life.
Official guidelines from The Australian Department of Health recommend at least:
150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity per week
30 minutes each day for adults over the age of 65 years
There are different types of physical activity options that older adults can participate in to improve strength, flexibility and balance. Resistance and strength training have been shown to improve muscle strength and manage visceral fat that can be related to Type 2 Diabetes. Improving postural control and mobility are one of the many benefits of balance training, alongside falls prevention.
Staying physically active is the key to healthy ageing and it is easier than you think. We can integrate it into our everyday life. Even if you or your loved one may have a health condition, or use a walker or wheelchair, exercise is here to improve your quality of life!
It's never too early to start, being proactive is better than being reactive. Don’t wait until you fall to work on your balance. Don’t wait until you have trouble getting out of a chair to work on your strength. But most importantly, it's never too late to start!
Wing