PowerPoint Presentation courtesy of Colin Milner CEO INTERNATIONAL Agency on Aging

1. Changing the
way we age
Colin Milner, CEO
International Council on
Active Aging

2. • What we can do to change the way we age?
• Key trends in active aging?
• What does this mean to you?
Today we are going to look at…

3. The world is flat. Isn’t it

4. How to get the most out of this
session:
• Ask “what if”?
• How can I take this and apply it to ME?
• Take 2 ideas and implement them
• Be engaged
• Ask questions

5. 47
Source: Active Aging in America, Volume 1. Residential and Commercial Fitness, US 2005

6. Over the past 100 years we
have added an additional 30
plus years to life expectancy.
The challenge now is to ensure
quality of life during these years.

7. The Accumulation Effect of Population Aging
This single fact, longer life, is the root cause of a
tidal wave of change that is impacting economies,
businesses, governments, communities, families and
individuals. And yes, you.

8. =
The Accumulation Affect
More years
+
More people
+
More disease
+
More costs
=
More challenges
More research
+
More human potential
+
More wealth
+
More options and solutions
=
More opportunities

9. =
One such
opportunity,
according to the
World Health
Organization:
“Active aging.”

10. “Engaged in life”
Active aging describes individuals and populations who live life
as fully as possible within the seven dimensions of wellness
(emotional, vocational, physical, spiritual, intellectual, social,
environmental).
The concept of active aging can be summed up in the phrase
What is Active Aging?

11. Tapping our human potential

12. Jack Lalane and wife

13. Fauja Singh
6x world marathon record holder
• Started running at 80
• Now 95
• Spokesperson for Adidas

14. The 7 dimensions of wellness
are key to an active, healthy life
SOURCE: National Wellness Institute
Physical Intellectual Social Vocational Spiritual Emotional
Creating a balanced lifestyle
Environmental

15. The foundation for an
active life
Physical Activity

16. Quality of life [style] is a top concern for
aging adults
• losing their health (73%),
• losing the ability to take care of oneself (70%),
• losing mental abilities (69%) and
• running out of money (60%)
Source: 2005 poll by USAToday/ABC

17. Chronic diseases and disabilities
were once thought inseparable
from old age.
This view is changing
rapidly as one disease after
another joins the ranks of those
that can be prevented or at least
controlled, often through changes
in lifestyle.

18. Nine out of 10 cases
of type 2 diabetes could be
prevented if people exercised
more, ate better, stopped
smoking and adopted other
healthy behaviors.
SOURCE: 2009 Archives of Internal Medicine

19. Middle-aged and older
adults face a 90% chance
of developing high blood
pressure during their lives
SOURCE: JAMA 2002;287:1003-1010

20. More than 2,000 medicines for
older Americans are currently being
tested in clinical trials or are waiting
for Food and Drug Administration
approval
Source: Pharmaceutical Research and
Manufacturers of America, Medicines in
Development for Older Americans on the
PhRMA 2008

21. “There are few things you can do that have a more profound
effect on more bodily systems than exercise.
When you do vigorous exercise, every body system revs up:
metabolic, biochemical, hormonal, temperature regulation,
function and cardiovascular respiration.”
Dr. Steven Blair

22. Physical activity…
• prevents or controls the most common chronic
diseases (for example, diabetes and heart disease),
• enables people to function independently so they enjoy
and grow in their lives, and
• allows them to stay part of the active lives of their
children, grandchildren and communities.

23. One example

24. In 2000, for the first time, the number of
overweight people in the world rose to match
the number who were underweight and starving:
1.2 billion.
SOURCE: New York Times

25. "If we had a pill that contained all
of the benefits of exercise, it
would be the most widely
prescribed drug in the world."
Ronald M. Davis,
M.D., AMA President.

27. 10 -12 years of added life by
delaying disability
o Do not smoke
o Exercise, and proper nutrition can
delay disability by 10 years
Source: CDC

28. The Loss of Muscle & Strength with Age
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Leg Strength
Age
Strength%

29. Have difficulty lifting or
carrying something as
heavy as
10 pounds
22% 60 – 69 years of age
28% 70 – 79 years of age
46% 80 – 89 years of age
Source: CDC

30. Residents in a nursing home
ages 72 – 98 who completed a
10 week strength training
program saw increases of
113%
Source: New England Journal
of Medicine

31. Have some level of difficulty
stooping, crouching, or
kneeling
42% 60 – 69 years of age
52% 70 – 79 years of age
66% 80 – 89 years of age
Source: CDC

32. Have difficulty walking for a quarter of a mile
21% 60 – 69 years of age
30% 70 – 79 years of age
49% 80 – 89 years of age
Have difficulty walking up 10 stairs without resting
18% 60 – 69 years of age
26% 70 – 79 years of age
41% 80 – 89 years of age
Source: CDC

33. Elements to include in a fitness program
2-3 times a week strength training
150 minutes a week, cardiovascular exercises
Appropriate breathing techniques
Flexibility, balance and coordination
Range of motion movements, along
with appropriate assessments and screening
Proper nutrition and weight control

34. Led by Baby Boomers,
sports injuries have become
the No. 2 reason for visits to
a doctor's office nationwide,
behind the common cold.
Source: 2003 survey by National
Ambulatory Medical Care.
Ensure you train right to avoid the doctors office

35. What we know as aging in many cases is
simple disuse, whether physical or mental.
Use it or lose.
Even if you lost it, you can find it again.

36. Beyond the
physical:
Brain Fitness

37. Challenging the mind as we age is crucial to
staving off diseases like Alzheimer’s.
A 2009 study adds to a growing body of
evidence that mentally challenging
activities like word games, playing cards,
reading and writing may delay the rapid
memory loss that occurs with Alzheimer’s
disease.
SOURCE: “Cognitive Activities Delay Onset of Memory Decline in Persons Who
Develop Dementia.” Neurology, Volume 73, pages 356-361, August, 2009

38. Brain fitness
 Brain Age
 Happy Neuron
 Mattel
 Posit Science
Brain Fitness on Entrepreneur magazine
2008 Hot List

39. Impacts of Active Aging On a Canadian Healthcare Model CEI ARCHITECTURE
PLANNING INTERIORS
The majority of older people are keen to learn new skills:
•59% interested in learning about the internet & digital television
•73% want courses on how to stay healthy and active
•58% want financial advice and tips on managing money
The research, commissioned by Help The Aged, warned that one
in three older people now felt out of touch with modern
life.
Source: Help the Aged

40. The use of technology for
engagement and
participation:
 PDA’s
 Online lifestyle coaches
 Tele-coach
 GPS

41. Between June 2008 and
January 2009, the number of
Facebook members ages 35-
54 nearly quadrupled -- and
members older than 55
tripled,
Source: iStrategyLabs, a digital marketing
agency.

43. Recognize abilities;
Identify personal mission
and goals;
Learn new skills;
Develop new interests;
Titles, roles, never retire;
Life plan, hobbies,
volunteer, help others.

46. Empower yourself
to fully use life experiences,
skills and cultural and spiritual
wisdom, creativity and energy.
- Sageing
- Mentoring (US Gov’t)
- Volunteering or employment
- New vocational education

47. Dr Google
provides alternatives

48. The vast majority of older adults say that taking
care of their health is very important, but they do
not feel knowledgeable about how to prepare for a
healthy old age.
Source: National Council on the Aging. 2002. “American Perceptions of Aging in the
21st Century.”

49. 93% of Baby Boomers
and older adults seek
health information from
their physician
Source: Focalycst 2007
(Boomers and Decisions about
their Health)

50. Older patients are less likely than younger people
to receive preventive care or to be tested or
screened for diseases and other health problems.
Source: Circulation 2001;104:1350–1357

51. Internet use: Health information
82% of those 30–49
70% of adults ages 50–64 use the Internet
33% of those over 65
Source 2006 Pew Internet and American Life Project study

52. Seeking alternative
paths to age well

53. 63% of adults 50 plus
reported using CAM
66% did so to treat a
specific condition
65% or for overall wellness
Source: Complementary and Alternative Medicine: What People 50
and Older Are Using and Discussing with Their Physicians
Looking for alternatives medicines to improve health

54. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is
defined as a group of diverse medical and health care
systems, practices, and products that are not presently
considered to be part of conventional medicine.
Seeking Alternatives

55. Top two types of CAM
45% Bodywork includes massage
therapy and chiropractic manipulation
42% herbal products or
dietary supplements
Source: Complementary and Alternative Medicine:
What People 50 and Older Are Using and
Discussing with Their Physicians
Complementary and alternative medicine

56. Programs that encourage participants
to…
…be in the moment:
…listen to the sounds of nature,
…smell the fragrance of the outdoors.
Remind them that this time is theirs and
by taking part in this experience they are
improving their health and well-being.
Spiritually active

60. Impacts of Active Aging On a Canadian Healthcare Model CEI ARCHITECTURE
PLANNING INTERIORS
Alternative therapies
also address
Emotional Health

61. Impacts of Active Aging On a Canadian Healthcare Model CEI ARCHITECTURE
PLANNING INTERIORS
Depression-will be the
second greatest cause
of premature death
and disability
worldwide by 2020.
SOURCE: World Health Organization

62. Emphasizes an awareness and acceptance of
one’s feelings.
It reflects the degree to which individuals feel
positive and enthusiastic about themselves and life.
Involves the capacity to manage feelings and
behaviors, accept oneself unconditionally, assess
limitations, develop autonomy and cope with stress
.

63. Impacts of Active Aging On a Canadian Healthcare Model CEI ARCHITECTURE
PLANNING INTERIORS
Research shows that older people can literally
“think” themselves into the grave by feeling “bad”
about getting old
Study participants who said they had more
positive views about aging lived an average 7.6
years longer than those with negative
perceptions of aging
Source: Yale University

64. The emotional dimension
Happiness leads to
low blood pressure
Source: The University of
Warwick (February 2007)

65. Impacts of Active Aging On a Canadian Healthcare Model CEI ARCHITECTURE
PLANNING INTERIORS
Programs that support this dimension can have a profound
effect on the lives of many older adults;
•Exercise
•Mind-body exercise classes
•Spa services
•Stress management workshops or counseling
•Behavioral modification classes or counseling
•Humor workshops
•Music therapy
•Support groups and social events are only a few such programs

67. Plugging the
energy crisis

68. Former Surgeon General and Canyon Ranch CEO
Richard Carmona recently reported that energy
medicine is one of the emerging science areas they’re
pursuing for their forward-thinking medical resorts.
Canyon Ranch’s elaborate Healing Energy menu.

69. Energy
82 % of older adults want to
maintain a healthy lifestyle to
ensure they have energy
as they age
Source:AARP

70. Relevance: Energy
69% of older adults
exercise to increase
their energy level
yet lack of energy a
barrier to exercise
SOURCE:Age and Ageing 2004;33:287-292

71. Energy Boosting
Assess your energy level and lifestyle
Establish what is causing your lack of energy:
 schedule,
 depression,
 drug interactions,
 travel,
 poor nutrition,
 lack of sleep,
 lack of exercise, etc.) then…

72. Energy Boosting
1. Manage your time and commitments
2. Manage your stress through meditations, humor
workshops, etc
3. Prevent, retard or manage chronic health issue with
support from doctors, etc. e.g.. chronic fatigue,
breathing, obesity

73. Energy Boosting
1. Participate in social programs, if socially isolated
2. Manage your nutrition, e.g. not enough
food, too much food, caffeine
3. Sleep

75. Thank you
Colin Milner
Colinmilner@icaa.cc