Wellness

[panda1234]

@qvcaddition

You are truly an inspiration to us all.

[chrystaltree]

Most people don't suffer dementia as they age.  I don't know why people think it's more common than it really is, perhaps because we talk about it so much.  When I look at the people I know who have aged incredibly well, I see two things.  They didn't retire until their 70's or in one case, not at all.  One is an 89 year old man who still works 2 days a week and every other holiday at the hospital I work at.  On the days he works, he does everything everyone in his roles does and puts in a full shift.  I think the key is keep doing what makes you happy and what fulfills you.  Don't stop simply because you hit a certain age.  The other thing is that they live and have always lived a healthy lifestyle and they have lots of friends and family in their lives.  And those people didn't have the benefit of modern healthcare advances for most of their lives.   

[qvcaddition]

@panda1234

---

@panda1234 wrote:

@qvcaddition

You are truly an inspiration to us all.

---

Thank you.  I try to inspire my friends when they talk about age and going downhill.  We can predict what is going to happen by speaking it outloud. My goal is 100 healthy. At least my goal.

I am tired tonight more than cutting and triming bushes.  I gave two one hour tours today. You walk and talk about the gardens and the home.  You answer questions and joke. We get a lot of people from other states on vacation, not so much locals. Four in my first group, got back and had six waiting to go out.  It was a beautiful day here in CA.   I truly enjoy this volunteer job, and they clapped at the end of it and said, the tour was much more than they expected and i did a great job.  I like to give people there money's worth and it keeps me sharp and young.  All our volunteer Docents are very knowledgeable.  We have to read a thick  book on Luther's life and take tests. and refresher courses.  I learn from the guest about their state.

[panda1234]

---

@qvcaddition wrote:

@panda1234

---

@panda1234 wrote:

@qvcaddition

You are truly an inspiration to us all.

---

Thank you.  I try to inspire my friends when they talk about age and going downhill.  We can predict what is going to happen by speaking it outloud. My goal is 100 healthy. At least my goal.

I am tired tonight more than cutting and triming bushes.  I gave two one hour tours today. You walk and talk about the gardens and the home.  You answer questions and joke. We get a lot of people from other states on vacation, not so much locals. Four in my first group, got back and had six waiting to go out.  It was a beautiful day here in CA.   I truly enjoy this volunteer job, and they clapped at the end of it and said, the tour was much more than they expected and i did a great job.  I like to give people there money's worth and it keeps me sharp and young.  All our volunteer Docents are very knowledgeable.  We have to read a thick  book on Luther's life and take tests. and refresher courses.  I learn from the guest about their state.

---

It sounds like you have a passion and a purpose and that is one of the common factors to longevity. You keep going girl, I have faith you will make it to your goal of 100.

[Mmsfoxxie]

---

@qvcaddition wrote:

I will be 81 in June.  I have excersised for 58 years. I still do at the gym, plus walk five mikes a day. Last week, I rounded 17 bushes, took three days using an edger, then another to trim and top two Italian cypress trees.  Monday a big Bush against the garage.  I take care of my back and front yards and all 36 rose trees and bushes.  I do my own house cleaning, six rooms and two bathrooms.  

I volunteer all year.  Tomorrow I am giving tours for four hours. My DR. thinks I should give lecturer for retires.  I just have a lot of energy.  I went to college and graduated at age 72. Loved it.  I gave the graduation speech titled"NO AGE LIMIT".  Also received a scholarship.  I keep busy, social, and positive. Each day is a blessing.  I refuse to stay around negative, complaining people.  I also like to hang with people who stay current, so I can learn from them.

I grew up poor, so the part of the article that said smaller brains in people of poverty is misleading.  You can learn if you desire. I,m from the generation that worked hard without parents able to give us everything.  We had to think and be creative.

I have a 91 year old friend that goes to the gym everyday, is strong and not feeble, no dementia.  I have a 88 year old friend in poor health and dementia.  I think the difference is exercise.  The 91 is positive, while the 88 is always complaining.  The 91 and her husband who is 86, do all their own yard work and even clean their pool. She does her own housecleaning. She got breast cancer at age 85 and this year going on six years cAncer free.  She always remained positive and kept exercising.

Sorry for the long spiel, but age is a number.

---

@qvcaddition, what an inspiration you are!  I'll be 70 in August and I have to admit that it's difficult for me to remain upbeat everyday.  My social circle needs expanding, I think.  Since retirement, I don't interact as much.  I'm working on that, though.  Thanks for sharing your story.

[Trinity11]

From what I have seen of the aging process a lot of it is pure unadulterated LUCK. Some people do it all wrong and end up living into their 90's and some people do it all right and end up dying fairly young through no fault of their own.

Yes, staying active and having friends does help and certainly keeping one's mind active helps but even with all of those advantages some people succumb to health issues through no fault of their own and that needs to be said.

[noodleann]

This kind of pseudo-science is vexing.

The article makes clear that the investigators couldn't account for why certain seniors lost brain volume at a slower rate than others. No accounting for it. None. Nada. Zilch.

It did say that "While there's currently no proven method to preserve cortex volume, research has shown specific lifestyle changes that seniors can perform to help keep themselves sharp as they age, Kornel and Wright said...."

Keeping yourself "sharp" as you age is not the same as preserving brain volume. The article certainly does not suggest a causal link, that if you embrace the lifestyle guidelines listed, you'll wind up with a better-preserved brain. Instead, it uses the old passive voice weasel phrase, "research has shown..." to endorse general healty lifestyle modifications that have no proven correlation to brain volume.

That and a buck will buy you something off the dollar board at McDonald's.

[ALRATIBA]

My parents stayed "sharp and alert" well into their 90s.  I'm in my 70s and expect to do the same.   Our family's "secret" is to avoid doctors unless absolutely necessary.

[qvcaddition]

@Mmsfoxxie

You don,t need a lot of people around, you just need to be present in the today with you.  Be your own best friend.  I wish I were turning 70, yet at the time, I got sad for about a week, then told myself make everyday count for me.  Try to keep the negative talkers out.  Only you can make yourself happy.  I also, though not religious, read passages from the bible every morning before I start my day.  The book of psalms my favorite.  This is not for everyone, just helps me.  A little secret, I have a very big family, but rarely see or hear from anyone, just one son and half sister.  So it is up to me to live happy a nd be my own best friend.  Try to volunteer if you are able, but make sure something you enjoy, not just for the sake of volunteering.  It is rewarding, but in a lot of cases, I,'ve tried many, thankless.  You need to find your niche.  If staying home and enjoying that is your niche, that,s OK.  Whatever makes YOU HAPPY AND CONTENT.Good luck, enjoy life.

[hckynut]

Hi @Trinity11,

Hope things are still moving forward for you. My philosophy on life for many decades now has been one many have heard. Some think it/some read it, and there are those like myself that live it, or at least give it their best try.

How many years I live is not even a mid priority. Like a saying goes: It is not the number of years in my life, it is the amount of life in those years".

Had a few test runs with how much life means to me, and so far so good. During a few of those times my philosophy and determination were tested, some moreso than others. Right at this very moment, fractured rib and all, I feel better than I have in some time now. That is physically/emotionally, and mentally.

After my last hospital stay, I came home very weak and seemed to be perpetually exhausted, even with very little physical movement. It took much thought and doubt about where to go at this time. I finally decided I was going to "switch on" my competitor instincts, and start training once again as I did for my running and skating competitions.

I got the clearances from my most important doctors to go ahead. They all know that I have enough knowledge of exercise physiology to not cross any dangerous lines. Not that means nothing bad would happen, but I felt I needed to make this "comeback", if you will, for myself, my wife, and our furry family.

Even though my finished basement gym and sound system were destroyed, I put together enough remaining pieces, to be able to mentally be able to go through with my plans. I avoided our basement as much as I could because it just made me sick seeing all the destruction and loss of equipment, furniture, and irreplaceable memories that are now lost.

Been at it for several months now(that is part of the reason I decided to try skating again), as I wanted to add that as more incentive to getting back to "the best I can be", all things considered. Tough breathing at higher heart rates because of my rib fracture, but I know it is just pain, not something that will make things any worse on my body.

Ho boy, I didn't plan on going into all of this, but I am so happy with my progress of making another comeback, that I guess I needed to spit it out.

Take good care and may things in your life keep on the happiest path for you and yours.

hckynut(john)