Celebrating September as Healthy Aging Month
Written by Janie Martin, ForgeWorks Dementia Educator
September is Healthy Aging Month, and at ForgeWorks, we celebrate aging by recognizing the many positive aspects of growing older. We believe that now is the perfect time to embrace your age.
Instead of focusing on the myths of aging, let’s concentrate on how we can age successfully. Historically, successful aging has been associated with physical vitality and independence. However, this definition is neither realistic nor inclusive.
What Does Aging Successfully Really Mean?
Cultivating a Broader, More Positive, and Inclusive Narrative
Acknowledging the realities and opportunities that come with growing older is essential. This is a time to embrace aging as a season of growth. Personal growth and development are possible even in the face of physical decline and social loss. Resilience plays a crucial role in promoting personal growth during aging. It includes accepting ill-health and loss while developing a sense of accomplishment in life.
Embrace Aging as a Season of Vitality
Vitality can be divided into capacities and drivers in life. The capacities include physical, cognitive, and social aspects. Sustaining these capacities is vital for preserving vitality. The drivers in life are autonomy, independence, and meaning. Vitality is often rated by the balance between capacities and drivers. When capacities decrease, vitality can be maintained by adjusting the drivers.
Embrace Aging as a Season of Continued Self-Discovery
Continued self-discovery is essential for personal growth and is not limited by age. It can lead to a sense that you have more to contribute. Reinvention is not about getting lost in the past; it’s about using the wisdom from our experiences to move forward and continue self-discovery.
Negative Stereotypes and Misconceptions
Although society often portrays later life as an endpoint, it’s important to recognize that this time can also be one of growth and exploration. Some negative stereotypes and misconceptions that can affect how aging is viewed include:
- “They are set in their ways.” This negative stereotype insinuates that older adults don’t want to change or can’t change. The reality is that many older adults are open to change and personal growth, and are actively seeking it. However, they may feel uncertain about how to make changes or believe they are unable to do so.
- “They don’t want to learn anything new.” This negative stereotype insinuates that older adults can’t learn new things. Learning keeps us young! And when anyone has a reason to learn new things or technology (think using texting or FaceTime to connect with their family), they willingly learn.
How Do I Start?
- Set goals that are right for you.
- Set your own pace.
- Start by taking small steps and pick one thing you would like to explore.
- Most importantly, be gentle with yourself.
As long as you have breath, it is never too late to embrace personal growth and self-discovery. Trying new things can enrich your life at any age, regardless of physical or cognitive challenges. It’s never too late to embark on your aging journey and keep working on the person you want to be.
What is your goal?
Janie brings hands-on experience in providing quality, compassionate nursing care in multiple environments. A licensed practical nurse, Janie is deeply passionate about excellence in person-centered care with a priority focus on the physical, emotional, and spiritual advocacy for people with dementia. Janie was a care partner in her own mother’s journey through dementia, and as a young wife, Janie cared for her husband who suffered cognitive decline due to a brain tumor. These experiences add up to her ability to support from several perspectives. Her certifications include Dementia Practitioner, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer, Medication Administration Trainer and Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional. Through ForgeWorks, Janie offers CDP training to professionals and families serving loved ones living with dementia.
