Words Sherrin Griffin, Sidney Seniorcare
This month I am turning the “Big 60” – a decade which heralds the entrance of seniordom, retirement and the “final chapter,” so to speak. I’m sure that some seniors reading this will think that I’m being melodramatic and maudlin, but I do think that this is the age when fear of our own mortality kicks in.
Let’s face it! Turning 60 takes guts; guts and some really hard work! Reality is that I am now at a major crossroads in my life where I can either limp my way down the the well-trodden path through pain and suffering to ill health and depleted faculties, or I can pick myself up by my bootstraps, stop my whining, do the necessary work, and dance my way down the road to health, wellness and potentially centenarian status.
Of course, by the age of 60, it can be difficult to ignore the aches and pains that a well-used body will complain of, and certainly we may lack the same level of stamina, strength and flexibility that we experienced in our earlier decades, but that’s not to say we can’t live a robust, healthy and fulfilling life in our 60s, 70s, 80s and even beyond.
Mobility is, of course, a huge determinant of wellness in our senior years, and can often be the first component to decline. Years of wear and tear can take a toll on joints and musculoskeletal systems, and can lead to debilitating osteoarthritis, reduced flexibility and the need for joint replacement surgery. Thankfully, these days, joint replacement is a very common, accessible and successful surgery, often giving seniors a new lease on life while dramatically reducing chronic pain and increasing mobility.
Unlike our youth, where we were naturally more active, with bodies more forgiving and resilient, our senior bodies require more regular maintenance and lubrication. It is very commonplace, especially when we approach retirement, to become more sedentary and less active. And, with compelling research showing that “sitting is the new smoking,” it’s more important than ever to move our bodies regularly every day. Maintaining muscle mass and bone density are hot topics these days for every age, and research shows that weight bearing and resistance exercises are most critical for seniors to avoid falls, fractures and frailty.
As we enter our 60s, we are also more susceptible to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and diabetes due to age-related cellular changes, mitochondrial disfunction, and immune system decline. Lifestyle factors like poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking and excessive alcohol can accelerate this risk.
In an age where “longevity” is now an official science, we currently have the knowledge and capability of living longer than ever … but does a long lifespan equate to a long health span?
The great news is that recent studies such as epigenetics show us that environmental and behavioural factors can have positive effects on gene expression. In other words, lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and stress management can cause epigenetic changes, for the good or the bad, giving us more control of our health and wellness than we realized, even if genetically predisposed to certain disease states.
Although taking care of our physical bodies is fundamental for overall health, recent studies show that our state of mind, level of social connection and happiness quotient may play significant roles in our pathology outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared loneliness, which is extremely common for seniors, a global health threat – as detrimental as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, with an even greater risk than obesity and physical inactivity.
Although I tend to get annoyed with trendy buzzwords such as “gratitude,” statistics show that exercising gratitude is linked to improved mental and physical health, reduced anxiety and depression, better sleep and potentially a longer lifespan. According to the U.S, Nurses’ Health Study published in 2024 in JAMA Psychiatry, “grateful” individuals (average age of 79) had a nine percent lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who scored in the bottom third for gratitude.
I am grateful to be turning 60 in an age where we really can be the CEO of our own health. My Facebook feed is full of active, vital seniors looking strong, healthy and happy – sharing nutritious recipes with their communities, supporting each other at the gym or in walking groups, playing pickleball, and connecting with family, friends and community in a joyful, passionate way.
And so, on the eve of my 60th birthday, rather than wallowing at a swim-up bar in Cabo and commiserating about my lost youth, I’m choosing to embrace my senior years and dance my way to the finish line. Who wants to join me?
