How do older people manage to stay healthy in their old age?
By betterdays
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
Philippines
October 18, 2012 7:01pm CST
I am in my middle age now and I see some very old people maintain their vigor and strength and I wonder how they managed their health in a way that they are still in great physically condition in their 60s or 70s? I would guess all of you would also like to be in that kind of condition when you reach 60 or 70, so let's share some ideas how we can maintain good health and good physical condition in the future.
3 people like this
12 responses
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
I think the best way for older people to stay healthy is regular exercise and have a healthy foods to eat like; vegetables and fish and not fatty food...
I observe it with all my grandfathers and grandmothers. They are all reach the age of 97 before they get rest...
They are always work on the field and never stop to work because their reason was their body be weaken if they sit and nothing to do at all. They also eat more on vegetables, wild animals in the mountain and fish...I'm not sure about it if that reason for them to be healthy at all. Base on what I see to them they are not prone to illness. They are experience being ill but only simple illness that easy to deal with.
So I presume that because they have regular exercise in the field and eat more on vegetables...
2 people like this
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
20 Oct 12
I am amazed with your grandparents that they reach almost the age of 100. That's what I envision myself when I get to old age...still working and eating well and being healthy. Of course, you're right about the importance of exercise and eating healthy food while avoiding unhealthy ones like fatty food.
I would add to this that maintaining a positive attitude in life and being able to manage stress should be one of the important factor. Eating lots of vegetables and fruits should be a good habit and avoiding sugary food as much as we can could help a lot as well. Well, I would say we needed to enjoy eating whatever we want for one day a week and then we could go back to our healthy diet.
1 person likes this
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
25 Oct 12
I often forget about the reality that nowadays our air pollution is much worse than before which can cause us to have weaker lungs. I didn't realize that everything was much purer in the past, so these are signs that we needed to take care of nature and 'mother earth' so that we could give better future for the generations to follow.
I imagine them working in the field which is a good exercise plus breathing very fresh air, so I guess that is one of the great reasons they lived a long life.
Anyway, I think the extracted sugar cane you're talking about is what we call 'tuba' in our country the Philippines, is that correct?
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
I think what helps them to maintain such vigor and strength is by having a healthy lifestyle and also having a positive outlook in life. If these two are present, the body would always seems young and alive. Take for example, a 40 year old woman from the rural area compared to a 40 year old businesswoman in the city. You can actually see the huge difference with the way they look- physical appearance would readily tell us that the woman from the rural areas look older and may not seem to have a healthy body whereas a woman from the city who is able to eat 3 meals in a day, has a comfortable life would look like someone in the late 20's.
2 people like this
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
20 Oct 12
That is a very good comparison, jenny. Whether we like it or not, money does play a big role in life and we could make effective use of it in making ourselves more healthy. Although nobody is immune to ill health, and even the riches people could catch the severest types of illness. Anyway, you have pointed out well that a healthy lifestyle should be one of the key, and I would agree 100% with that. It is a challenge for me now to be healthier and fitter even as I grow older, and I think it's something that makes me motivated. If we could stay healthy in our older years, then there is a great chance we would be very productive even at that stage in our lives. I don't want to retire early and stop working in my 60s, and I want to work even if I reach 80s and I think I found the best type of work for getting old which is working at home with my online work. If we could establish passive income while we are still strong, it should be easy to manage them if we get older. I hope and pray this plan would push through without problems.
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
22 Oct 12
I'm quite impressed with your father, jenny. My father is already retired at 75 but your father is still involved with a lot of things and that is impressive. Good luck to you, and I do hope in the future you would be healthy and active like your father.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
20 Oct 12
I hope I would also be that way in my later years. My dad is in his 70's but he is still actively doing workbooks, researches and attending symposiums and conferences. I thank god for giving him a good health.
@Cutie18f (9546)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
I think their secret is exercise. I also know a lot of people in their mid 70's who are in the gym and they can still several push-ups. When a person exercises, he or she limits her weight and as we all know weight is a very big factor in aging. When you are overweight, you have the tendency to look older than your age.
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
20 Oct 12
Very true, Cutie. That is the reason why I am trying to get rid of my tummy now because I believe it has made me look about 10 years younger. You may ask that seems to be good, but you know I originally look 15 years younger than my age, so you may understand that statement now...LOL.
@alberello (4752)
• Italy
20 Oct 12
Well, on this subject, can I talk to my grandparents who have respectively 86 and 84 years.
They, for their age, are still living on their own, we do not still need a caregiver to take care of them.
I can not hide the fact that they do not "break out of health", in fact often have the aches and pains brought just their age, but only for the fact that they can manage themselves, in my opinion is positive.
What their "secret", frankly I do not know. The only thing I can say is that in their lives, I do not think they've ever drank or smoked.
2 people like this
@ztuberi (395)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
Its simple. They have a healthy lifestyle. They eat healthy. They sleep well. And they are more relaxed compared to young people now who are too busy doing extra curricular or to their careers. It is also important that we have a good sense of humor. A happy life.
2 people like this
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
Yes, I think it is stress that gives health problems to a lot of people so if one has developed a relaxed lifestyle, he is a good candidate in living a healthy life in old age. This of course includes having good eating and sleeping habits and when he has a good sense of humor and knows how to take everything lightly.
@sharecuzicare (50)
• United States
19 Oct 12
I think to keep in good shape physically you have to have a routine or regimen for good health that you follow very carefully. I am 64 and I power walk almost every day for an hour or so. Also eating the right things, getting the right amount of sleep are habits you should start at an early age and continue all your life. I think the genes have a lot to do with it too. My mother is still going strong at 96 and has all her faculties. She was active all her life and it has paid off. My family has a great deal of longevity....my uncles and aunts all lived into their late 80's, early 90's. They led active, healthy lives, eating good foods, getting exercise and keeping their minds active too.
2 people like this
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
20 Oct 12
Wow, you have your own family members as testimonials of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. I'm really impressed and wanted to be like that also when I grow older, still healthy and strong in both body, mind and spirit.
I guess I never heard anyone in their 80's do bungie jumping...maybe I will be the first. lol :D
@youless (112586)
• Guangzhou, China
19 Oct 12
I think these people have already paid attention to their health when they were young. A good foundation is important. They will have a healthy diet and lifestyle. Such as they will eat more vegetables and fruits and less meats. They will not smoke and drink. They have a normal sleeping time. They will not stay up late at night. And of course they will try to do some sports. And they like to talk with others. So it is unlikely they will have a depression and the happiness plays the main role to the health.
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
20 Oct 12
If only we could follow all these rules you have pointed out, I'm sure we would all still be running and playing in our 80s.
Anyway, in your picture you still look so young I would think you are only 7 years old :D :D
@Cutie18f (9546)
• Philippines
10 Nov 12
In the gym where I go, there is a guy who is 75 years old but still does push ups. There are men and women in their 60's who are still in tip-top condition. Obviously, these people are taking care of themselves through exercise, healthy living, and good nutrition.
@thewonderboy (7501)
• India
19 Oct 12
Good health can be managed if we have a good control on what we eat and along with we should make sure that we have proper exercises all the time. Have a good confidence in yourself that you fit and do put much stress on yourself. I feel it is the key to have a good health
1 person likes this
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
20 Oct 12
You have given a lot of good tips here, thewonderboy and I'm sure if everyone of us will follow this till we grow old, then we would be able to maintain this good health at old age :)
@mrsuniega (786)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
I think they are not prone to stress. they live their life in a healthy way. many people says that the phrase "You are what you eat" simply is their motto. 
1 person likes this
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
20 Oct 12
Yes, I'm sure stress would be one of the biggest source of ill health. If we are able to manage our stress and live a healthy lifestyle with exercise and healthy diet, it would be most likely that we would be healthy old men and women.
Anyway, I like that motto "you are what you eat", but it doesn't mean that when a person eat pig meat, he is a pig. oink oink
@mindy13579 (37)
• United States
21 Oct 12
I am on the younger side and I wonder that too. I know older people who run more than me and some even look much fitter!
I feel like they must have stayed active throughout their lives to be able to keep up with it when they are older. I know my dad goes on daily walks and he is closing in on 60 and he is still able to walk 3 miles at a decent pace. He no longer can run over 1 mile, but he used to be able to.
I think it is just a matter of sticking to it!
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
29 Oct 12
I'm impressed with your dad, and I agree that having the discipline and the persistence to exercise regularly should be one of the secret to a fit lifestyle. I used to see a 65 year old neighbor who had a stroke before walking daily around the neighborhood while me and my brothers and friends play tennis inside the subdivision tennis court. Then one day, he surprisingly came inside the tennis court with his tennis racket and played with us, and after that he became our regular tennis associate.
@anggunmelati (551)
• Indonesia
14 Nov 12
Basically, to live long and healthy so coveted by every body. We should direct ourselves and strive to live healthy and live long. I will also make every effort to stay healthy in old age later.
By nature, healthy living healthy can be done simply by existing resources. Nature provides the means to live a healthy life, but it is often overlooked and underestimated by people. Sunlight, fresh air, clear water, exercise, a balanced diet, adequate rest, and cheerful heart is an efficacious natural medicine, cheap and no side effects.
Exercise is the most important part for those who are elderly. Lots of moving and walking in the morning made a very excellent endurance. Working with regular old age also makes your body move and will continue to nourish the body.
