Building a wellness portfolio can help Arizonans age well

Sara Wilson

Submitted photo/Home Assist Health

I've often thought it would be nice if society looked at aging not as something to fight or erase but more as evidence of a life well lived.”

OPINION — Throughout time, humans have searched for a way to stop the clock, stay forever young and erase the signs of aging.

But rather than search for that mythical fountain of youth, there are more realistic ways to evaluate what it means to age well and build a wellness portfolio that can help us preserve our strength, our vitality and our ability to live fully as we grow older.

I've often thought it would be nice if society looked at aging not as something to fight or erase but more as evidence of a life well lived.

Every wrinkle represents a smile, a laugh, a tear or a meaningful moment. Gray hair can represent years spent building a career, raising a family, overcoming challenges and figuring out who we are. Our bodies change because we've had the privilege of using them to live.

Healthy aging should be about continuing to add to our story.

It is a journey that requires planning, much as we plan for our financial future. We can build an aging-well portfolio to preserve and build on what we already have. And just as with a financial portfolio, your wellness portfolio should be diverse.

As you think about growing older, you can ask yourself some key questions about building your aging-well portfolio:

• Strength — What am I doing today that will help my body carry me where I want to go tomorrow? Maintaining muscle strength becomes especially important as we age, and regular movement, such as walking, gardening, swimming or dancing, can help. Physical activity has been associated with improved mood and memory while also helping reduce stress.
• Curiosity — What am I still learning, exploring or discovering? Aging well includes mental acuity. Read a book. Learn a language. Play an instrument. Take a class. Work on a puzzle. These are all ways to stay mentally engaged.
• Connection — Am I investing the time and attention needed to build and maintain meaningful relationships? Loneliness and a lack of social interaction are common among older adults. Make time to have lunch with a friend. Join a club or volunteer. That sense of belonging can contribute to our sense of well-being.
• Purpose — What gives me a reason to get up in the morning and something to look forward to? As we live longer, we have an opportunity to find a new sense of purpose. Do you want to take up a new hobby, teach or travel? Having something to look forward to can help us feel needed while adding structure and joy to our lives.
• Independence — What support, tools, technology or help could allow me to keep doing the things that matter to me? Make sure to stay current with recommended care and talk with your doctor about which screenings and checkups are appropriate.

We hear about loss of independence often. Our clients often equate independence with being able to do everything themselves, when receiving help may actually give them more control over how they live. Whether it is help with daily tasks or personal care, medication reminders or getting to and from appointments, our caregivers are trained to help our clients in all those areas that contribute to aging well. Accepting support is sometimes exactly what allows all of us to live our best lives possible.

So, let's take the time to evaluate what aging well means, start building our wellness portfolios now and forget trying to stop the clock.

Instead, let's prepare to make the most of every minute life gives us.

Sara Wilson is CEO of Home Assist Health, a Phoenix-based nonprofit serving seniors and individuals with disabilities. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.