Here's what one active older person does: When Pearl was nearing 60, she was concerned about remaining healthy and active as she aged. She began to exercise. Now she takes a long, brisk walk 3 or 4 times a week. In bad weather, she joins the mall walkers. In good weather, she also works in her garden. She had long since stopped smoking. Pearl tries to follow a healthy diet. She reads the newspaper daily. She's even learning how to use a computer and keeps in touch with her family by email, as well as phone calls. She always wears a seatbelt when in a car. Last month, she danced at her granddaughter's wedding. Pearl is now 84 years old.
Have your elderly parents try following Pearl's example—sticking to a healthy diet, exercising, keeping their minds active, not smoking, and seeing their doctors regularly.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institute of Health (NIH) leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.