Successful Aging
At all of our Continuing Care Retirement Communities, our healthy living philosophy is based on the principles set forth in the groundbreaking book Successful Aging. This book explains the results of the 10-year study conducted by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The study found that only 30% of physical aging can be attributed to genetics. The other 70% is influenced by a combination of lifestyle decisions that people make throughout their lives.
These lifestyle decisions include eating a healthy diet, getting enough physical exercise, and keeping one’s mind active and engaged. Nothing surprising there. But, what is surprising is what the researchers learned about how these three factors work together in preventing disease, improving attitude and psychological state, and helping people “age successfully.”
For example, maintaining good cardiovascular health is directly related to keeping your mind as sharp as it can be. Eating a healthy diet—one that helps you maintain proper blood pressure and insulin levels—will not only help you stay at a healthy weight but may also play an important role in whether or not you develop cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s later on. Feeling good because you eat right and get enough exercise plays an important role in how socially active you are—and meaningful social interaction is now understood to be as important as any of the other factors.
At Pacific Retirement Services, we promote, support, and celebrate successful aging. That’s why we offer all the tools you need to make decisions that will enable you to age well and live life to the fullest.
