During World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, we often talk about safety and support for older adults, but this year’s “Aging with Attitude” theme also reminds us to celebrate the many strengths that come with aging. A healthy attitude toward aging can help improve confidence, reduce stress, and encourage healthy habits. In this blog post, we’ll share tips for aging well and highlight the ways our agency is helping older adults and caregivers stay informed and connected throughout June. 

 

Our Beliefs on Aging 

We’re all aging but, unfortunately, getting older is not always portrayed in the best light. Ageism and fears around aging can lead society (and us!) to focus on the negative aspects of aging while downplaying or ignoring the positives. This is important because our beliefs can affect how our body reacts to a variety of things- including healing from an injury, whether we get sick if we’re expecting to get sick, and even how our body ages. There are a number of benefits to having a positive outlook on aging, including:  

• Lower rates of cardiovascular disease later in life. 
• Being able to cope better with life’s obstacles.  
• Fewer problems with concentration or focus.  
• A potential to increase memory and even decrease anxiety! 
• Older adults with positive views of aging had overall better health and a 43% lower risk of death than their peers who viewed aging more negatively.  
• Surround yourself with positive people if you can! 

 

How to Age with Attitude 

• Get out of your house- whether that means going to a senior center, seeing friends, or volunteering.  
• Be proactive with your health. Make regular checkups with your doctor, specialists, and dentist to make sure you can live life pain-free for as long as possible.  
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle.  
• Find your passion. 
• Focus on goals, even if you’re small. Crossing small goals off your to-do list will increase your confidence and leave you feeling more positive.  
• Watch how you talk about yourself. Focusing on positive self-talk and reframing negative thoughts can do wonders for your outlook.  
• Keep a gratitude journal. 
• Find examples of older adults breaking stereotypes and living (and thriving) in a way you’d like to live.  
• Spend more time in “intergenerational” spaces where ages are mixed. As a bonus, you have the opportunity to influence how younger generations view older adults! 

 

Resources 

• AARP/Getty Images Disrupt Aging Collection– stock photos capturing  “everyday moments that help break stereotypes and combat ageist biases.”  
• Ageism is Never in Style– a global platform, based in London, that campaigns for age inclusivity and calls out ageism in marketing.  
• Aging with Attitude podcast  
• Daily Acts of Care via Senior Resource Connect 
• Guidelines for Aging with Attitude via Gerald Jampolsky, M.D.  
• How to embrace an ageing face via the BBC 
• Staying Social as we Age via Senior Resource Connect 
• What Does Healthy Aging Look Like to You? Via Senior Resource Connect 
• Why later life can be a golden age for friendship via the BBC 

 

Senior Resource Connect WEAAM Activities 

Click below to download our flyer to see where SRC staff will be for the month of June!