Report to the People
6th October 2003
Keeping
Active in Later Life
If
I was a betting man, I might risk a pound that those of you who are retired
aren’t finding it to be the haven of rest, relaxation and Richard Whiteley of
which you dreamed throughout your working life.
How
do you spend more time? Chasing
victory on the bowling green, or chasing the grandchildren on the back green?
Watching The Holiday Show, or
taking countless day trips to Largs? Sitting
in the garden, or weeding, edging and mowing it?
So
if sitting down to open this paper was the first rest you’ve had all day, you
might find it a bit surprising that older people are being urged to take, of all
things, some exercise.
To
be honest, I’m never too sure about initiatives like this – I think they
have a suggestion of the nanny
state about them. (My favourite is
the one where they give you a number to phone if you don’t know whether a low
fat spread or lard is healthier. If
you don’t know that, it’s not a phone number you need, it’s professional
help and a triple bypass.)
But,
when I look at the facts, I’m prepared to give this one the benefit of the
doubt. Because, as Scotland’s
Physical Activity Co-ordinator, Mary Allison, told a conference last week,
keeping physically active as you get older provides the greatest opportunity to
extend years of active, independent life.
A
bit of exercise can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, strokes and
a range of cancers. It also helps
avoid falls – from which 90% of hip fractures result.
And,
while you may be kept busy now, what about when the grandkids are old enough to
look after themselves? Or it’s
not the weather for gardening, bowls, or trips to the seaside? It’s
probably not a good idea for your sole exertion to be the finger aerobics of
changing the channel on the remote control.
The
NHS, therefore, is developing a programme to help promote physical activity
among older people. Not, before you
start worrying, press ganging pensioners into weight lifting competitions or
triathlons, but sending out the simple message that even moderate activities
deliver results.
A
short walk to get the paper, dancing, or even a bit of housework all contribute
to keeping you active, strengthening your muscles and increasing your
flexibility, balance, co-ordination and movement.
You’ve
worked hard for your retirement. And
if a bit of gentle exertion means it’ll be longer and happier, maybe its time
to dust off your dancing shoes.
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