If you are a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another chronic health condition, you are well aware of the physical and mental decline that can occur as we age. As you watch your father struggling to remember things, or see your mother having difficulty getting around with her arthritis, it may seem just a matter of time before the same happens to you.
But are we really destined to age just as our parents do? Or, are there ways to increase the possibility that we will age gracefully? Genes do play a role in the nature of our aging process, but this is not the only factor, according to Dilip Jeste, M.D., Director of the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging and President of the American Psychiatric Association.
Staying positive and doing things we enjoy are key to keeping a positive attitude as we age.
Jeste did a survey of 1000 senior citizens, and he found that when it comes to growing older, the key to doing so gracefully is not a matter of how physically active you are or how quickly you can finish a crossword puzzle. What really matters is your attitude!
Jeste stated that what surprised him and his researchers was the paradox of aging. That is, as physical health declined with aging, self-rated successful aging scores went up. Their findings indicated that physical health was not really necessary, or sufficient, to have good feelings about one’s aging process.
As a matter of fact, many senior citizens who were dealing with decline issues said they felt overall that their well being was getting better every year. So, it seems that we do have control over whether we have a positive or negative view of how we age.
How to Do It
According to the doctor, the recipe for aging well includes three factors:
- Resilience
- Optimism
- Absence of depression
Strategies he recommends to approach aging more positively include these:
- Use logic: It is very important to be balanced between excessive pessimism and optimism. For example, if you have cancer, thinking happy thoughts alone won’t help you. You should seek the best treatment options that are available to you, and think positively.
- Find support: A good network of friends and family is very important to have a good mental and emotional base.
- Reduce tension: Take part in activities that you enjoy, whether that might be a walk, reading a book or watching a favorite movie.
- Deal with depression: About 10% of Americans have some type of depression. Older women especially have a higher risk of depression. Talk to a doctor if you feel this is happening to you.
By using these strategies, you can stay more positive as you age, and this will help you to live a happier and more fulfilling life, whatever your physical condition.
Alzheimer’s Aids
In addition to keeping a positive attitude, aging well also can be aided by a variety of products, which make dealing with conditions such as Alzheimer’s a bit easier:
Posey Fall Management Non Slip Large Socks
Helps to reduce chances of a fall in the home for people with mental or physical decline
Useful for helping your loved one for walking, sitting or standing.