Dean’s Duo: A Reminder on the Joy of Aging, and Aging Well
A reminder about the joy of aging.
Last week I was lucky enough to attend an open discussion with actress Laura Linney (The Truman Show, Love Actually, Sully, Ozark) who spoke powerfully about acting and the overall essential and positive impact of the arts on society.
One of the things she touched on a little was ageism, but primarily, she framed getting older as an extraordinary privilege. As a gerontologist, this really resonated with me – how often do we make comments about our aches and pains? Our reduced ability to see or hear? And, those ever emerging wrinkles… She reminded us that too many of our friends and family and coworkers never get the opportunity to age – they are taken from us by cancer, by heart disease or by accidents and violence. I for one, came away from that hour grateful to be my age, to be relatively healthy, and have since that night thought twice before I complain about aging superficialities that frankly, should be rejoiced. I am here, and it is certainly my extraordinary privilege to make the most of the gifts that have been given to me.
Making the most of aging.
Related to the first half of the Duo, this week I attended the national conference of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics where I heard Dr. Irv Rosenberg speak about the effect of lifestyle (nutrition and physical activity) on cognition in aging. I have heard him speak several times over the course of my career (he actually was instrumental in framing the term sarcopenia in the ‘80s to describe muscle loss in aging) and he has been ahead of his time and consistent in his presentation of his research and that of others seeking evidence to delay cognitive decline and dementia in aging. He has always held the position that nutrition and physical activity (maintaining muscle mass) are critical factors in successful aging and in improving cognition. Agreed. So, the next time you exercise, also think of it as exercising your future brain – the evidence is overwhelming. And oh yes, eat your vegetables and lots of them!