Some Surprising News Regarding Aging Well


The longest, most comprehensive study ever done on aging by the Harvard Study of Adult Development has turned up some unexpected results.  The study, which began in the 1930s, examined more than 800 men and women from adolescence into old age.  The purpose of the research is to find clues to the participants’ behaviors that translate into happy and healthy longevity.
George Vaillant, MD, director of the Harvard study and senior physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, states that, "I had expected that the longevity of your parents, the quality of your childhood, and your cholesterol levels would be very influential.  So I was very surprised that these particular variables weren't more important than they were."
Another commonly held belief regarding aging well has typically included avoiding stress.  However the results from the study indicate that stressful events did not predict future health and that some people who have had a lot of stress have aged quite well despite it.  The important thing seems to be how well you deal with the stress. 
The Harvard study also found that genetics may not play as big of a role in how well we age as do things such as not smoking or overeating, maintaining a healthy body weight, and developing good coping skills.  Exercising, keeping good social connections, and being a life-long learner are additionally all precursors to a healthy longevity.  If fact the overriding conclusion of the study appears to be that we have more control over our longevity that we may have thought in the past. 
MorningStar at Jordan Creek is a senior living community that takes our residents wellbeing very seriously.  Our signature wellness program, WellStar, is designed to enhance health and wellness, stimulate the brain and encourage social connections.  Please visit our website to learn more about our newly opened assisted living and memory care community.
MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting.  Please schedule a tour to discover the newest community in the West Des Moines area.

 

Source: webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/secrets-of-aging-well#1

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The MorningStar Family

Image
MorningStar Senior Living’s Founder and CEO, Ken Jaeger, first began forming the idea of starting a company from a desire to create senior living that was defined by the human touch. He says his intention was to “re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.” This simple but profound concept has driven the overwhelming success of our MorningStar brand. Now nearly seventeen years later, MorningStar continues to add communities across the Western U.S., including MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Littleton, in the Greater Denver area. At MorningStar of Littleton, our goal is to create a true home for our residents - one that feels like a family. To help us achieve this, our dedicated team strives to live up to our unique mission statement, which includes honoring God in all of our business practices and relationships and valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals. The last part of our mission statement is t
Read more

The Top Reasons Family Considers Assisted Living

Image
Coming to the realization that your loved one may need support beyond what you can provide comes with difficult decisions to make regarding assisted living . Caregivers of family members and loved ones that have special needs or require extra help often experience their own hardships. Anxiety, depression, negative eating habits, financial strain and poor health are not rare when it comes to caring for an elderly parent or family member. Children of senior parents may feel shame in assessing senior living and assisted care, but these facilities can lessen that guilt and offer a peace of mind that your loved one is healthy, safe, and happy. You know your parent better than anyone and have developed a care routine that allows your parent to be close by or living in similar circumstances of their younger years. Sadly, this may not always be sustainable. Perhaps you have welcomed a new child, taken a new job where you will be around less often, or maybe have decided to move. If you are unab
Read more

The Benefits of Assisted Living

Image
Studies show that for many older adults in need of a little daily assistance, life is easier in assisted living.  The reason so many of them say they prefer assisted living to living on their own, is it actuals helps them to feel more – not less – independent.  In fact, senior living communities such as MorningStar of Littleton are designed to provide seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness, and community.   When you live in your own home, you have the constant worry of upkeep and unexpected repairs, or you may be a person who no longer feels comfortable driving and have given it up altogether.  This makes running errands, grocery shopping and getting to doctors’ appointments difficult. Moving into assisted living means you no longer have to spend time worrying about maintaining a home, and communities such as MorningStar offer scheduled transportation.  Meal prep is another thing that is often difficult for the elderly, and as a result, many older adults who live alone do not
Read more