January 19, 2017
In the spirit of reflection and resolutions, consider establishing a wellness plan that helps you and your family members embrace the meaning of prevention for active aging by promoting the spirit of happiness and maintaining quality of life and a sense of purpose. Advancing prevention for healthy aging is top of mind for an abundance of organizations that focus on older adults, and — one would hope — for a large percentage of the projected 74 million people that will be over the age of 65 by 2030, as reported by the surgeon general’s recent report. Why wait for an accident, an unfortunate diagnosis or a family tragedy to make a change?
As we age some dreams move to the side — just when you may think the stars have aligned, an untimely death of a family member takes place, injuries or economic hardships present themselves, and life moves forward despite the adverse situations that arise. In reality these adverse encounters are not pleasant; however, one constant that remains is that you cannot put a price tag on the wisdom and the character that you begin to build within the aging process.
Identifying resolutions and setting goals is the popular thing to do at this time of year. Consider a new approach: thinking long-term versus short-term goals to help your actions become healthy habits. You do not have to be a yogi in order to tap into the power of positivity and meditation. Examine for yourself and ask your loved ones to identify daily intentions related to optimizing their physical and intellectual well-being. Optimizing your health, preventing injury and managing chronic diseases can be controlled if you tap into quality resources and examine how you choose to view the tests and anxieties you experience as opportunities to learn from and enrich your life. Think of a life full of advantages due to your experiences and become an “Age Master.”
Four Integrated Sample Intentions to Explore:
- “I intend to strengthen and rejuvenate my physical body to look and feel healthy year-round.”
Establish medical relationships that offer a full range of care in order for older adults to maintain functionality and oftentimes cope with the very unique needs they experience. Why not seek expertise when dealing with complex diseases, pain management and enhancing cognitive abilities, just to name a few. Writing your intention down is one thing; however, being successful comes in the follow-through and exercise of addressing each intention on a daily basis.
- “I intend to feel safe and totally secure in order to live independently.”
Understanding skilled rehabilitation therapy and recovery can be in the comfort of where you call home. Learning how condition management empowers the patient and caregivers will provide a greater sense of independence. Be proactive and locate two to three new advocates you can trust to call upon to answer the variety of questions that you will have in the years to come. Don’t wait like the majority of Americans until a tragedy or illness strikes for your loved one. Be proactive and build a relationship with the leadership teams at the agencies that make senior living their passion to help ensure the treatment plan meets your loved ones’ goals.
- “I intend to be strong, healthy and filled with energy in order to strengthen my relationships with family and work.”
Establish relationships that promote wellness and energy-boosting programs that have a holistic approach to improving your quality of life. Look for classes/programs that are multi-level and have a purpose (i.e., focusing on building strength, endurance and flexibility). The element of trying something new has many benefits; look for programs that are creative and address the following dimensions of wellness: physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, occupational, environmental and emotional with the focus of active engagement.
- “I intend to seek out my community resources and the professionals that will help me achieve my wellness intentions.”
National healthy aging actions include empowering the people in their community environments and providing clinical/preventive services. Take notice of your local community fitness centers and the programming they offer outside of child care and fitness services. Medical, fitness and community operators are now looking for innovative and integrated solutions in partnerships that can help them increase their financial opportunities with evidence-based, driven approaches that result in positive patient/resident outcomes.
Everyday challenges present themselves as big, small and trivial; consider how you choose to view the challenges and anxieties you experience with positivity and establish the ritual of identifying a daily intention to enrich your life. The hand that blisters from outrageous and unfair circumstances can be painful and a crushing blow. However, if you think in terms of developing calluses from these painful experiences and realize your limitless potential at any age, you will begin to guard your health with your life. Dare to dream and share your desires with those closest to you.
Tracey Harvey
National Program Director of Wellness Services
EnerG® by Aegis Therapies
Aegis Therapies is a nationally recognized leader in contract rehabilitation and wellness services with more than 7,500 therapists and clinicians providing proven therapy services in over 1,400 facilities across 41 states. Harvey has more than three decades of experience in the Fitness/Wellness/Retirement Living Industry, and champions evidence-based programs across the nation in order to increase overall results using aspects of innovative business development tactics to drive quality, consistency and successful outcomes.
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