Insights

In essence, positivity and maintaining a good quality of life until you pass.

In the literature, successful ageing is described as: avoiding disease, maintaining high cognitive and physical function, and engagement with life. My research goes further, suggesting a purpose for getting out of bed in the morning and being able to assist people as critical components.

Usual ageing involves two sets of problems:

First, body organs, including kidneys, hearts and lungs, gradually lose strength with advancing age and the immune system declines. Secondly, there can be high levels of blood fats, sugar, and hypertension. 

With usual ageing, frequently your biological age is much greater than your chronological age. Sadly, as many as 60% of the Australian population unknowingly pursue this type of ageing.

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Dr G is Dr Gary Shiels AM – a town planner, researcher and lifelong advocate for successful ageing. He holds a PhD in Planning for Successful Ageing and has spent decades studying how lifestyle, exercise, mindset and community shape the way we age. His work combines academic research, professional experience and real-world observation of people who have aged well.

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That is a critical question.

Your chronological age is the date resulting from your birthday. You cannot change your chronological age; you just need to live with it and enjoy it. However, your biological age, broadly speaking, is the age of your mind, body and organs.

Your biological age is measured by 10 or more biomarkers, and you can influence or lower your biological age. Have you seen an 80-year-old that looks to be 60; or a 60-year-old who looks as though he’s 80? This may well be the way he has aged biologically.

The problem with society today is that there are too many mixed messages.

There is one lot of messages from food manufacturers and supermarkets; another lot of messages from doctors and pharmaceutical companies; a third lot of messages from government, who tell us they are here to help us, when their real concern is the next election! Who do we believe?

The whole of our population has become addicted to our mobile phones. We cannot live, breath, sleep, walk, eat, cross the road, or go to the bathroom without our phone. While the phone is said by many to be our greatest asset, it is also our greatest liability and provider of confusing messages about health.

The purpose of this website is to attempt to clarify some of these mixed messages.

Unfortunately, yes.

Most of the population are statistically unhealthy. Australians generally are overweight, eat a bad diet and are sedentary.

More than 12.5 million or 66% of Australians are either overweight or obese; 27% of Australian deaths each year are from largely preventable things like heart disease or stroke; approximately 47% have one or more chronic health condition, and approximately 1.5 million suffer from diabetes.

If we assume that we would all love to be healthy, why is the health of most Australians so appalling? Perhaps it’s a lack of information. Australians, particularly older persons, need some clear guidelines on how to remain healthy as they age.

This website, and my book My Blueprint for Successful Ageing, are designed to provide these guidelines.

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Advice varies greatly on this topic.

In my opinion, it is important to get at least one hour of exercise per day. The preferred form of exercise for older persons is walking. However, many older persons are also swimming, using the gym, snow skiing, playing tennis or golf or pursuing other activities.

Walking is excellent, but needs to be supplemented with some strengthening and balancing programs. Also, it is important not to be sitting still for many hours at any one time, as our body atrophies.

Go for a walk after dinner; if you’re watching TV, stand up in the ad breaks and do some squats or stretching. Have a hand grip or stretch band that you can use while sitting down.

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Diets don’t work. There are many on the market that make various claims with questionable results. What is required is a change in lifestyle.

From my research, the Mediterranean style of eating is the way to go. Plenty of vegetables, salads, and some fruit. Fish, nuts, and plant-based foods are the preferred protein source, with only limited amounts of red meat and the avoidance of refined or processed foods.

If you shop in supermarkets, avoid the central aisles, and shop the periphery. Read the labels and avoid foods that contain high levels of sugar and salt. Avoid highly processed white bread, look for multigrain with little salt and sugar.

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These networks are very important.

Your professional network might include your doctor, specialists, and health professionals that can assist you if you have a health issue. It can also be helpful to have a handyman or builder who can assist with any problems you may have with your residence. Also, a friendly solicitor can be helpful when required.

Your social network is also very important. While long-term friends are always a valued commodity, ensure that a high proportion of your social network are positive people. Positivity by you and your friends generates a can-do rather than a can’t-do attitude.

Start small. Move more, eat real food, sleep well, connect with others and find a purpose that excites you. A positive attitude goes a long way.

The earlier you start, the better, but it’s never too late to make progress.