Approaching retirement means excitement – time to learn, travel and socialize. However, after retirement, aging also means dealing with your body adjusting which can end up including assistance in walking and sensory impairment. Over time, the use of medication is perceived as the best way to cope with aging. Is medication the solution to aging well?
According to the World Bank, the current life expectancy in Canada is 82 years old. However, the statistics do not share how to achieve or surpass this life expectancy. Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention tells us how to achieve this by choosing a healthier lifestyle that includes regular exercise, routine medical check-ups, healthy eating and getting enough sleep.
Health problems like mobility and declining mental capabilities are usually addressed with medication that sometimes comes with side effects. Improved diet and active exercise are ways to age well without the use of medication. Choosing healthier options for meals can help manage ailments such as heart diseases, diabetes and other chronic diseases. Food options such as whole grains, low dairy products, fruit and vegetables are essential for a balanced diet across all ages.
Forbes reports that aging parents who do not engage in physical activities are the ones who have proven to be burdensome to their adult children. In some cases, the middle age adult child is the one pushing the aging boomer to go to visit their doctor and get involved in physical activity to maximize their life expectancy.
Boomers need to maximize their good health by doing simple things like eating well, moving about, social interaction, and getting enough sleep to improve their overall well-being and reduce the need for medications.