Healthy aging - can we do this better?

[DoNotWorryBeHappy]

What changes to lifestyle might you consider to help you approach aging? I now look at my DM 81, and can see the impact some of her attitudes and lifestyle choices have had on her. I'm determined now to tweak my habits and choices - what would you suggest to fellow Mumsnetters to improve well-being? From decluttering and daily walk to occasional fasting and developing social contacts - how might we help ourselves improve our prospects?

Do more of what we love, that's what I think. Stop taking care of everyone and take care of our own needs. Speak more freely and take power.

Definately work on your social contacts and socialising. Keep your weight down.

Keep physically fit and mobile and work on your balance so falls are less likely. Keep your social networks strong.

Keep up to date with technology.

All excellent ideas!

When the Queen had a birthday a couple years ago Radio 4 interviewed a few women in their 90s to find out their secret. Of course there isn't one, but they had a few things in common:
They had luckily avoided developing cancer or heart disease, dementia etc.
They had maintained a relatively healthy weight.
They were physically active.
They were socially active either with their family, community or both.
Some of it is luck, some of it is genes, some of it is taking care of themselves mentally and physically.

Keep to a healthy weight
Foster good social networks
Don't smoke
Drink less than you want to less often than you want
Keep up with what's going on in your community
Keep up with the wider world
Exercise regularly at a level you can manage and build up if you can
Cultivate good friends. Ditch the bad ones.
Be happy - let go of what makes you angry and unhappy, through therapy if necessary.

Love this thread! Have had exactly the same thoughts regarding me inspired by my own mum's demise.

She decided not to have HRT as it meant continuing to have periods, now has osteoporosis, has done no exercise at all for 30 years despite living a 15-20 minute walk from shops she would say 'I do gardening!' In outrage at the suggestion she could and should move her body more than not at all. Can barely walk now due to muscle wastage and lack of balance.
Refused to get a hearing aid or wear one when she did and now showing early signs of dementia (there's a clear link) and has refused to make a will or lasting power of attorney.
Also refused to consider bungalows when moving despite having loads of cash and instead opted for a huge executive home. It's only a matter of time before she falls down the stairs into ceramic floor below.

She also took up smoking fags at the beginning of the covid pandemic - yes the contagious lung disease pandemic. She is asthmatic. And bonkers I now realise.
No friends either as they are all fit globe trotters.

^ plenty of things to not copy there.

Move lots, eat plenty of fruit and veg, avoid ultra-processed food. Drink minimal alcohol, never smoke. Tbh that's all good advice whatever age you are though.

My dm (now in her mid 70s) was a heavy smoker most of her life (still secretly smokes a bit) and has never been particularly active. Whereas df has always been active (lots of golf), radically overhauled his diet (to lowish carb) some years ago and got rid of various health issues as a result. He's in good shape. He was a smoker too, but properly gave up decades ago.

Excellent advice above about staying healthy + keeping on top of technology

I would add

• Be prepared for inevitable decline - make plans for when you can't drive/can't manage the stairs/need the gp or hospital regularly. Wear the hearing aids, get your eyesight tested regularly, be prepared to spend your savings on making life tolerable


• start formulating plans for what you do and don't want to happen to you if your health fails, and especially if you have an illness that impacts your capacity to make decisions for yourself. So get POA in place, consider an Advance Decision, make sure your family know what you would or wouldn't want.

Exercising to protect bone health. How do you improve balance though? I do 30 min hiit daily plus moderate weights but my balance is shite

Can't recommend a balance board enough for helping with balance, I love mine.

Healthy foods, Mediterranean type foods. Whole foods, nothing processed. No margarine, only real butter (in modest amounts obviously).

My parents and grandparents were conditioned by the "convenience" foods of the 50's and subsequently the "all fat is bad" mantra and religiously ate marge on processed bread everyday. They all had strokes.

Thank you 🙂

Weight lifting
Keeping active
Technology
Seeing people and interacting, I've seen a rapid decline in my parents post covid when they were shielding

Agree with pp Keeping up social connections and exercise , whether that's walking or swimming or whatever. Pilates is good.

Hrt is a difficult one. My gp was very against it as if it was a highly risky thing to take. I know 2 women who were on but have come off, one following breast cancer, the other because she feared BC.

But I think a lot is purely down to the luck of your genetics.

Fasting, cod liver oil, regular exercise, real food, good social contact, keep learning and reading.

Following with interest. I’m only late 40’s but feeling the creaks of old age. Struggling with joints, poor digestion. Not sure if the damage is done but I think at some point we have to accept that we can’t eat unhealthily and not pay a price.

i think keeping the brain active, whether that be learning, quizzing, reading etc is vital. Use it or lose it.

@Cheeseandlobster Michael Mosley recommends regularly standing on one leg, first with eyes open and then with eyes closed.
Give it a try! www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/35QytBYmkXJ4JnDYl9zYngb/why-you-should-stand-on-one-leg

Loving all these recommendations xx what about the "Swedish Death Cleaning" philosophy of clearing all unnecessary clutter so loved ones don't have to face it later? This is encouraging me to see the advantages of a clearer, tidier home (fewer trip hazard, lovelier environment)

I've started standing on one leg to clean my teeth. Timer on my brush so I do a minute on each. Am definitely getting better but haven't managed with eyes closed yet!

Can you recommend one @CrowsEverywhere ?

I am spoilt for choice!

Love this - starting tonight!

I just tried that ! Only managed about five seconds on my left leg 😳 but ten ish on my right - it was HARD

I am 41, slim and a runner, assumed i was really healthy but perhaps I need to up my game 😂

Keeping up with basic exercise.

I'm 59. I run 5k a couple of times a week, cycle a few miles and take a karate class. I don't do anything fast but the exercise keeps me fit and gives me lots of energy. The karate helps with flexibility.

I've found that switching to wholemeal everything, and increasing the amount of protein I eat, helps a lot. Chicken, fish or nuts especially. Cook from scratch.

Getting rid of as much stress as possible is the best of all.