Active Aging: Age is Becoming Merely a Number in America

As attitudes about aging change in America, we’re seeing a redefining of what it means to be retired. American seniors are becoming more active in their communities, engaging in more organized physical activity, and even changing the face of higher education as this trend grows. Starting second careers, learning second languages, and taking on challenges like learning to play musical instruments are becoming more commonplace in the senior community, and there are good reasons why. Seniors are getting off the golf course and breaking barriers of perception about what it means to be seniors because it gives them happier, healthier, and even longer lives.

Why Active Aging is On the Rise

We all know there are a multitude of benefits to be had by staying active. The physical, cognitive, and emotional health of retired persons stands to benefit greatly when they stay active, and this isn’t just an opinion – there is a growing body of research that shows the benefits of active aging go beyond what many of us have long considered conventional wisdom.

One big reason for the changes we’re seeing is the fact that Americans are, on average, living longer. This means it’s even more important for seniors to remain active to deter the depression, cognitive decline, and physical decline that can accompany old age. A good assessment of the benefits of active aging for seniors can be found in this article from US News and World Report. 

What Active Aging Looks Like Today

Take a look around, and you’re likely to see seniors in your community engaged in many activities not traditionally associated with retirement. Seniors today are combining more traditional pastimes like gardening and mall-walking with less conventional endeavors like returning to college and volunteering for local civic groups.

The results, it turns out, are good for everyone. Communities with high populations of active seniors benefit from the wisdom and energy these people bring to the table, and seniors have proven to be linchpins for many groups like Habitat for Humanity and local food banks. It seems that wherever there’s a need, seniors are stepping up and answering the call.

Get Active!

So what does active retirement mean for you? In a nutshell, it can be just about anything you want it to be. More and more, seniors are finding new opportunities like education and even second careers to be easily viable, so the world really is your oyster. Look around in your community and you’ll likely find something that suits your lifestyle, and you may even surprise yourself with what piques your interest.

The key to successful active aging is finding activities that are more than just routine or busy work – activities that engage the mind, body, and spirit are key to realizing the great potential of the Golden Years. In many places, this has taken the retired community from the margins of society to the forefront, and communities with actively engaged seniors see a wealth of benefits from this intensely vital group of movers and shakers. So get out there and get active! You’ll feel better longer, and your community will thank you for all the insight and energy you have to offer.