The End

Succesful Aging

In our final post for the semester, I have a few questions for reflection:


1. What is your personal definition of succesful aging? How has this definition changed from the beginning of the semester?

I would define successful aging as maintaining physical and mental agility and capabilities into your later years.  I think that, from what we've learned this semester, that many aspects play into successful aging.  Some things, such as genetics, are potentially beyond our control, while healthy lifestyle choices such as regular exercise and proper nutrition have been directly correlated to longevity.  Centenarians throughout the world also share stress free attitudes towards life as well as faith in a higher power, in common.

2. What was one topic or fact that you found to be the most interesting throughout the semester?

I really enjoyed the Oprah clips about the blue zones and further researching into the lifestyles of the oldest living people around the world.  I've actually adjusted my diet to include and exclude certain things after seeing that (such as goats milk - which is fab).  The readings we did in class about the adverse effects of gluten also interested me, and my mom, who is a healthcare professional.  Coming into the course I was interested in nutritional and lifestyle choices that would lead to successful aging, and I feel that the content we discussed as well as being exposed to the centenarian studies were informational and enlightening.
 
3. What is one aspect of successful aging that you would like to continue learning about?

I'll probably buy the blue zones book because that really interested me.  I'd also be interested in learning more about how genetics factor into healthy aging and other things that are beyond our immediate control.  And possibly how to combat that.

4. Has any of the information that we've discussed in class change your perspective about successful aging?  (i.e. Are there any behaviors that you will or will not do as a result of learning about aging?)

Seeing the Georgia centenarian study and learning about their diet surprised me.  I learned that the oldest living people all over the globe lived active lifestyles, so I will try to incorporate more activity into my life, like riding my bicycle when I can rather than driving, for example.  I think that saving more and investing earlier on will help prevent financial stress later in life, so I want to learn more about and look into investing now.  I also like to travel and after seeing the blue zones in class, I've added Costa Rica to my list of future destinations.

Thanks again everyone for participating in the class! It has been a great semester.

Aging

http://www.pr.com/press-release/312948
Stem cells for anti-aging "cosmeceuticals"

http://www.okicent.org/cent.html
I found this article and information interesting in regards to what we've discussed about centenarians and more specifically their diet.  These people seem to live healthier longer (maybe not after the earthquakes, tsunamis, and radiation) and I found it interesting after Kate's post about quality years versus quantity years, which I agree with.  I would rather live less than to live incapacitated.