Tying it All Together - September 2011

This is the conclusion and summary of the Integrated Approach to Aging and Elder Care series.

By Del Muzzillo

Over the last four months we have explored a number of related aspects of healthy aging.

What I have presented is basic, but important. You do these things and it will pay off. You support your parents in doing these things and they will do much better than the norm.

For those of you who are in your 50s: Take note of these principles. It is never too early to adopt the positive healthy lifestyle changes that will support you into your later years.

For those of you in your 60s: Now is the time to take this stuff seriously and get started.

For those of you in your 70s: It is time to get with the program if you want to remain in optimal form and avoid a lot of the maladies that most seniors experience.

For those of you in your early 80s: This might be your last chance to make positive change that will sustain you through your final decades. Remember, it is never too late.

For those of you who have elderly parents who are in their later years and are showing signs of vulnerability; It is up to you to make sure that they are supported and empowered to either make these lifestyle changes or have them made for them. This might be the time for you to become pro-active and take charge. Take solace in this: No one, clearly knowing the stakes, would not take these steps. Die miserably or live vibrantly? Pretty simple choice. If they cannot choose for themselves, then make the choice for them. It is that simple. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

Do not accept the status quo. You can do better. We can do better. And as more of us do, our society will evolve and do better. We are the trend setters. Exceptional aging and elder care reform are directly connected. They both start right here and right now. And they both start with you. Take the following steps and you will be part of the solution:

So, here they are in summary form:

-         Eat more real food. The key words are “real food”.  That means stay away from processed food like the plague (because it is). Eat food that is clean, simple, in its whole form. Organic when possible, and locally sourced at least most of the time.

-         Read your labels. When you buy dairy, do you see the words “modified milk ingredients”? Look carefully. What does this mean? Check it out. Do you see the words: “partially hydrogenated”?  Do you know what that means? Put it back. Do you see the letters “msg”. Don’t touch it. If you can’t pronounce it, it probably is not good for you. Food additives and flavor enhancers are rarely if ever good for you and many of them are downright harmful.

-         Take your supplements. Who needs supplements? Everyone. Period. And that means you.

-         Remember: Whole food supplements in liquid, soft gel, or capsule form. Avoid tablets in most cases. In past articles I have laid out some of the basic supplements that are helpful in aging. This list is far from complete, but it is a start. Consult with a natural health practitioner who has expertise in supplementation and nutrition.

-         Use this integrated approach in your dealings with health professionals. Do not rely solely on Western Allopathic Medicine. While it certainly has its place, it does not have all the answers and has its limitations when it comes to lifestyle and nutritional maladies.  I have found that Naturopaths seem to have a good track record when it comes to a number of health issues affecting seniors. Ideally, you should have both: An open minded, progressive western Allopathic doctor as well as a Naturopathic doctor would be a good combination. Add to that a holistically minded pharmacist, and you will have an integrated health care team working for you to find the best solutions.

-         Go for a natural remedy first, always. If you are not getting the results you need, then would be a good time to consider pharmaceutical medications.

-         Limit your use of pharmaceutical medications to only what is absolutely needed, and only those issues where there is not a viable natural alternative. I am not against taking medications. These can be real life savers and we are lucky to have them. I am only suggesting that we be careful not to over-use them.

-         Stay active: Walk in nature whenever you have that choice. As you get older, pick up a pair of walking poles. You will be amazed how much easier and safer they make walking (and you can cover more distance, faster . . . that always feels good, doesn’t it?). When you get to a point that even the walking poles do not give enough support, then you have graduated to four wheels (as in a walker or “rollater” ). Get one that folds in the middle. And get ready to move, like you are five to ten years younger.

-         Although walking is great, it is not the only physical activity that you should be doing. Consider Yoga, Tai Chi, Chi Gung, and mild Pilates exercises. Careful, seniors oriented resistance training can also be very helpful. All of these help you gain more flexibility, balance, poise, core strength, and help you breathe better.

-         Get close to nature on a regular basis. Where ever you live there is bound to be some area that is still in its natural state, and at the very least there will be a park nearby. When you are there find some quiet time. You will be surprised and amazed how nature will come to you. Quiet time in nature can be healing on all levels.

-         Keep your mind active. Keep your parents’ minds active. Remember “Brain Gym” and similar programs really do work. More documentaries, less sit-coms. Expand your mind. Continue to learn and grow. When do you finally stop? When you are dead, and not a minute before.

-         Find a contemplative practice that works for you. Meditation and mindfulness training has multiple benefits. Remember you do not have to be religious to have a strong spiritual path that serves you well. Meditation and mindfulness is compatible with all legitimate religious paths, so you do not have to worry about any conflict of interests.

-         Have a “mission”. Find something that you can be passionate about. Then pursue it. That could be something that helps others, or the environment, or the arts, or it could be a hobby. So many possibilities. Find the one that speaks to you and gives you purpose.

-         Finally, be careful who you spend your time with. Ideally you want to associate with positive people who are really interested in life and the world around them. Limit your time with those who tend to bring you down. Maximize your time with those who lift your spirits.

Now these are the things that all of us should be doing now and well into our most senior years. There is not a point where we give up and let go of all this. And there is not a point when we give up and let go as far as our parents are concerned.

Take a good look at your life. How close are you to including these aspects of healthy aging into your lifestyle?

Take a good look at your parents’ lives. How close are they to including these? How about if they are in a more vulnerable place in their lives whether in their own homes or in some kind of residential care facility? If all of these aspects are not truly in place and fully available to them on a continual basis, then something is seriously wrong.

It is then up to you to demand more. It is up to you to advocate for your elders. At $5000. to $6000. per month (or more) if these aspects are not addressed and included, and the management is not seriously open to including them, then maybe it is time for you to take things in your own hands, and consider a move to a place that does.

The SENICA project is all about providing that safe, healthy, positive, life-enhancing environment for all elders. You can learn more about this exciting project via our website: www.senica-now.com

Finally, in closing: We are on the threshold of a new era. Aging is not what it used to be even as recently as ten years ago. Aging is changing and evolving as our society matures and evolves. We are now talking about “exceptional aging”. But, what exactly does that look like?

Stay tuned, because the next few articles that I will be submitting with address this new phenomena. Be ready to some inspirational stories and exciting possibilities.

Aging can be a positive experience where we continue to thrive and grow. May everyone age well with grace.

Del's Bio: Del Muzzillo has been involved in the wellness industry, the health resort business, and the human potential world for over 35 years. He has served at a leadership level in these areas in Canada as well as three decades in the U.S. He has brought this background into the field of aging and especially in the care of elders. He presently is directing the SENICA Project which aims to reform elder-care with a modern holistic approach. 250-328-8834 - Email