LET’S GO FLY A KITE!

By Ryhaan Shah

There is a long list of achievements by people in their 70s and much older that astonishes the world, but only because there is the misconception that aging is a process that comes with weakness, illness, and loss of motivation.
However, there are too many stories of extraordinary feats accomplished by the elderly that should change that stereotype.
At 80, Yuichiro Miura scaled Mount Everest, and American athlete Don Pellman beat the 100- meter world record by three seconds when he was 100 years old.
And there is this wonderfully heartwarming story out of Ghana of Joseph Aheto, who was 81 last December when he graduated with a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
He graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and decided to study for his Master’s when he realised that both his sons had surpassed his academic level. One of his sons, Professor Denis Aheto, is the acting Vice-Chancellor at UCC, and it was a wonderful moment when it was he who presented his father with his MBA at the university’s 58th convocation.
Mr. Aheto is one of many elderly who pursued academic studies well past the usual age for university students. An American woman, Nola Ochs, earned her Bachelor’s degree at 95 and a Master’s at 98, and Paul Siromoni of Chennai, India, got his PhD at the age of 90.
Among those who defied what is accepted as the physical decline of aging are Frank Shear, an American who water-skied on his 100th birthday, and another American, Sister Madonna Buder, who completed an Ironman triathlon at 82.
These stories give a different perspective on the aging process and show what can be achieved with determination and the refusal to give in to the traditional view of aging as a time to sit back and do less, or do nothing.
Embracing all of life and the spirit of adventure does wonders for our psychological and physical well-being. Defying aging can be the result of intentional choices we make rather than just inheriting good genes. Such “active aging” can lead to a better quality of life.
We have talked about the need for a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and good rest and mental health. Having a purpose and working towards a goal-whether it’s climbing Mount Roraima or starting a garden-provides motivation that helps to stave off those stereotypes of us being weak and dependent.
Countless research shows that the greatest contributor to healthy aging is staying active. At a basic level, that means getting up off your chair and walking around. It also means staying active mentally, and since old age should honor our continuity as well as change, that continuity could mean we keep going with the good habits or talents or passions that we have always enjoyed.
In that sense, growing old is optional, and it’s up to each of us to find the path, the focus, or the goal that would keep us physically and mentally engaged.
Defying aging is all about maximising our health span, and it is never too late to make a start, since studies show that even those in their 90s can still improve their muscle strength and health through consistent effort.
Aging well requires a combination of maintaining physical function, cognitive sharpness, and a positive mindset. Science-backed strategies to put “old on hold” focus on slowing cell degeneration, reducing chronic inflammation in our body, and preserving our independence.
These strategies require many of the pointers we have written about in these columns.
They include regular exercise to maintain strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility; maintaining a nutritious diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, fish, and lean meats; and putting a hold on sugar and sugary drinks. Having a moderate amount of food on our plate is key since calorie reduction can slow down the aging process.
Part of staying youthful is cultivating good mental health habits to stay positive, maintaining connections with family and friends, and challenging our brain with either new tasks like learning a new language or doing a crossword puzzle or playing a game of chess with a friend.
These keep the mind sharp and active and can even create new neural pathways to keep our brain healthy. It’s no surprise to find that having a reason to wake up every day can be even more important to longevity than a diet and exercise regimen.
So, this holiday weekend, when everyone is out flying a kite, let’s all go fly a kite as well.