Never to old to learn something new

Once, at a dressy affair at a downtown St. Louis hotel, I escorted my frail, then 84 year old father to the rest room. Ready to leave, he stopped before a mirror, used his palm to brush back his hair, centered his tie, reset his pocket square and when satisfied all was well, grabbed his walker and we left. If he could, he'd have added a glide to his stride. A cut to his strut. In trying to remain physically, emotionally and spiritually fit, vanity counts.

As the care giver for my mom and later my dad, like so many, they were divorced, I learned a few things about aging. I'm trying to apply that knowledge to my skills as a physical fitness instructor.
I'm hitting the books again for additional training in working with older adults.

By year 2030, the number of folk 65 and older in the United States will be 70 million. Those 85 and older will be the fastest growing segment.

You'd think studying for this exam would be easy since I am one.  A senior. But it's not. It's the details.

It's a lot like driving someplace new. We men, stereotypically speaking, want to wing it 'till we're lost... and then we read the directions.
The course centers on designing exercise programs for older adults.
What exactly is an older adult? Depends on who is talking but since I paid the American Senior Fitness Association to teach me, let's stick with their rules.

Middle-Age, 45 to 64. Young- Old, 65 to 74. Old, 75-84. Old-Old, 85-99 and Oldest-Old, 100 and over. We are living longer and exercise, like everything else, must adjust to a growing...older population.

At 66, I'm in the young-old group which is better than being old, young.
Lots of folks get old, young. Some, for reasons beyond their control but for others...aging prematurely is clearly within their control.
That's what health and wellness programs for aging adults are all about...avoiding becoming old, young. Exercise is part of the plan.

Goo-gobs of evidence show that exercise can reduce or prevent some of the decline associated with aging. Physical activity, both aerobic and strength, is good for the heart and promotes fat loss. It controls blood pressure and reduces blood sugar. Lowers stress and increases energy levels. It improves joint stability, balance and coordination.
Effective exercise helps us get to the rest room in time.
Functional exercise, that which we practice in the gym so that we remain independent at home, is the nail upon which I hang my sweat shirt of exercise.

For dad, physically active for much of his life but in his final years, sitting and standing while working on his wood carvings, bathing and personal grooming was close to all he could do independently and that... he took seriously and did well.
Then there was the time, scooting along on his walker at church one Sunday morning, he challenged another old- timer to race...but that's another story.

The World Health Organization recommends that older adults, with poor mobility, practice the skills needed to enhance balance and to prevent falls on 3 or more days a week. World Health also suggest that muscle-strengthening activities be done on two or more days a week.
When health keeps seniors from doing the recommended, then they should do as much as they can.-WHO

For a younger aging adult, not accustomed to exercise, skills such as hygiene, grooming and makeup, are enough to build an effective exercise program. Admit it or not. The intent of a well groomed, well dressed individual is to look good. To be physically fit is to complete the look. Exercise is an extension of makeup.
Persons motivated by a health issue, high blood pressure, also exercise to achieve a goal. Lower pressure.

On the other hand, exercise for an active older athlete, is an activity that they have always engaged. It is... who they are.
A friend, an avid hiker, once routinely walked a mile in thirteen minutes and some odd seconds, said he is now doing good to walk it in 20.
"But I can still hike 10," he said upbeat. "Just takes me longer," sighed he.

Thanks to a former president of the United States, shuffleboard, the image often used to illustrate old folk at play, is being replaced by the senior George Bush, who celebrates birthdays by jumping out of airplanes.
Lead by the likes of George the 41st, Boomers, who have never been quite about anything, are not likely to be quite about getting old-old.