Most of what I present here assumes that you are able to be active. I don’t know if I qualify as “older” myself (over 60 buy not by much), but I watched others, including parents who are in their mid 80’s.

Stay active both mentally and physically. One of the best activities, and one which most older folks can do, is walking. You may not be able to (or have a good place to) ride a bike or play tennis or do some of the other physical activities that require fast movements and great stamina. That’s OK. Walking is very good for you. I walk at least five mornings each week. It doesn’t need to be a long walk. My most common route is about a mile and takes me less than a half hour. If I weren’t still working, I would likely take longer walks on many days.

For me morning is the best time, and I find that I am more energized and ready to pursue the rest of my daily tasks after walking. If I don’t get my morning walk, it takes me longer to get up to full speed on other activities. I also have the good fortune of having a beautiful neighborhood, including some forested trails, in which to walk. One thing that I find inspiring is the number of other walkers I encounter each day, most of whom are older than I am.

This morning I observed two ladies who were moving slowly. It was apparent that this was the fastest pace they could maintain, but that is OK. You don’t need to go fast. My personal goal is to give my heart and lungs a workout, so I often push myself, but just getting out and taking that walk will always do you good. It also allows you to see things with a different perspective than when driving by in a car.

Eat Well

I have a tendency to have high cholesterol. That is what initially got me started on maintaining a nutritional plan. I started many years ago. After a year of eating almost non-fat, my cholesterol was in a range that was healthy. Then I set out to restore some of my favorite foods to my plan. One bit of good news is that today there are lots of low fat alternatives to traditional foods. Even some of the non-fat items (certain salad dressings, for example) are palatable. I have not found commercially made baked goods that are low or non-fat that I care for. I have learned to make cookies and a few other items (like banana bread) with just enough fat (usually butter) to give them good flavor. One basic step in this direction is to substitute bananas, applesauce, or a low fat yogurt in recipes that call for oil or shortening.

Personally I enjoy many fruits, including juices. I am not a big fan of some of the “best for you” vegetables, but I do try to eat salad nearly every day. A breakfast of fruit juice with Cheerios or oatmeal will provide protein, vitamins, and minerals, getting you off to a good start. Some people will need to reduce carbohydrates. This is not an issue for me, so I can include bread or toast with breakfast if I want to. If I want to cook breakfast, French toast is a good choice. I love bacon and hash brown potatoes, but save them for a special treat now and then due to the fat content.

A turkey or ham sandwich makes a good lunch. Even sliced beef is often not high in fat. Lean Pockets or some of the other low fat entrées now available are good for a hot lunch. Many soups tend to be high in sodium, but most (other than cream soups) are low in fat.

Dinner is when I most often have a salad. If I have kept the fat content down at breakfast and lunch, I eat more freely at dinner. I am still giving consideration to the what I choose and the portions, but most meats, casseroles, etc. are OK.

Please note: these foods work well for me because I do not have a weight problem, high blood pressure, or high glucose levels. What works for you may need to be lower in sugar or other carbs, or lower in sodium. The point is, with today’s food choices, you can come up with a combination of items that will work well for you.

Finally, don’t feel that you need to eat big meals, but don’t start skipping meals either.

Socialize and Serve

Being around other people, conversing, playing games, working on a project together; these are good activities. You will get mental stimulation and maybe some physical activity as well. Get out to church as often as possible. If you no longer drive, many churches will offer transportation. Your church may have a choir for “seniors.” There may be church or community lunches. If you are interested and able, you may find groups that offer square dancing or line dancing.

Depending on your age and abilities you may be able to volunteer in a classroom at a local school. During election years, there are opportunities to work for your favorite candidate or cause. You may be able to volunteer for the local Red Cross or blood bank. If you look, you will find opportunities to serve, and serving others is good for us at any age.

So get out there and make the most of every day!