If you’ve perused this website, you know that the Meaford Haven retirement community is based in the concept that your lifestyle choices have a major affect on how “well” you age. These include the obvious things, such as healthy eating and exercise, but a number of other lifestyle factors affect how you’ll enjoy your retirement years. The idea is drawn from the findings of a MacArthur Foundation study of Successful Aging. We’ve included some summary links elsewhere, but here are a couple quick quotes along with links to their sources.
Breaking Down the Myths of Aging. Successful Aging
Successful Aging brings together the remarkable results of the study for the first time. They explode the myths about aging that have long shaped individual and institutional attitudes toward growing older, including the biggest myth of all: “The key to aging well is choosing your parents wisely.” In fact, they discovered that lifestyle choices-more than genes-determine how well we age. Drs. Rowe and Kahn outline those vital choices, including changes in diet, types of exercise, mental stimulation, self-efficacy, and dynamic connections. These choices can make a difference no matter how late in life they are made. In addition, Drs. Rowe and Kahn include the latest research-based strategies to delay or prevent the common diseases of old age.
Successful Aging: Optimizing Life in the Second Half
Their recommendations are based on the MacArthur Foundation Study of Successful Aging. From that study, Rowe and Kahn suggest three actions that positively influence the aging process and enhance quality of life in later years:
- Avoid Disease and Disability
- Maintain High Cognitive and Physical Function
- Stay Involved With Life and Living
