FRHS.ORG 3 Kelly Driscoll, RN, MHA, FACHE President and CEO SIMPLE THINGS HELP MAKE HEALTHY AGING POSSIBLE An inevitable part of living is aging, or, as I prefer to call it—“seasoned.” It truly is a fact of life. Do you find yourself reaching for your readers because the words and numbers on—well, everything—seem to get smaller? And sure, it’s easy to get down on your knees to look under the bed, but getting back up? That’s another story. There is no question that age, or being seasoned, changes our lives. We’d like to avoid some changes, as they can be difficult to accept or endure. Physically, for example, stiffening joints can make it harder to get around. Emotionally, there are often personal changes, such as the death of a spouse, that can make these changes even more difficult. And as we age, many people find that their short-term memory isn’t what it used to be. Remember that blue fish from Disney’s Finding Nemo with short-term memory loss? She may not remember much, but she gave good advice: “Just keep swimming.” Harry Rollins said, “Change is hard, but change is good.” And as we age, we can realize some positive changes too! One survey found that many older people say they have less stress and more time for family, interests and hobbies than they used to. In fact, the vast majority of older people report that they are satisfied with their lives because experience gains us wisdom! To a great extent, what older age will look like for you depends on how you live now! It also depends on how you cope with the changes that come your way. We can’t turn back time, but we can take steps to ease into aging in a positive way that allows us to weather the expected and unexpected changes we experience. A few tips for choosing a healthy lifestyle that will benefit you now and in the future include: • Maintain a positive outlook. • Practice healthy ways to cope. • Eat well. • Exercise regularly. • Maintain a healthy weight. • Get plenty of sleep. • Socialize and stay connected. • Do things you enjoy and allow for downtime. • If you smoke, quit. • See your doctor regularly. The professionals at Faith Regional are committed to helping you feel your best. With over 30 service lines, our providers can help get to the root of issues you may be facing and create a care plan to help you be your best throughout the aging process. This Living Well issue includes articles that we hope will inspire you to live your best life. To your good health As spring settles in, I wish you a year full of happiness doing your favorite things, no matter your age!
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