1. What is your personal definition of succesful aging? How has this definition changed from the beginning of the semester?
Successful aging involves living a life that you are satisfied with. After taking this course, I consider successful aging to include both mental and physical characteristics. One can be extremely fit physically but if the person is unhappy with life, it's not a situation that I consider to be conducive to successful aging.
2. What was one topic or fact that you found to be the most interesting throughout the semester?
I found the topic of centenarians to be fascinating. Watching the Georgia Centenarian Study and listening to Dr. Martin was very worthwhile.
3. What is one aspect of successful aging that you would like to continue learning about?
How to age successfully throughout every stage of life. This is especially hard with currently being a college student living with a lot of stress but hopefully things will change after I finish school!
4. Has any of the information that we've discussed in class change your perspective about successful aging? (i.e. Are there any behaviors that you will or will not do as a result of learning about aging?)
I found it pertinent that starting a healthy life routine early may help increase longevity. The fact that a majority of the centenarians had the personality characteristic of persistence was also surprising. Possibly being more persistent will help with better aging? Just a thought. I'm not sure if I would actually attempt this or not.
Overall, this seminar was very interesting and I learned a lot about aging. It has been one of my favorite seminars at Iowa State University.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Gardening and Aging
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-03/asfh-wmz031711.php
I found a write up from Texas A&M about a survey of older adults regarding gardening. Avid gardeners reported feeling more optimism, more energy, and being more physically active compared to those who did not garden. Larger numbers of individuals who garden also report feeling younger and appeared to have goals compared to those who do not garden.
This article reminded me of the Blue Zones that we watched in class. Gardeners are active, performing manual labor, and getting outside to get their daily dose of Vitamin D like some of the individuals profiled in the Blue Zones. Many individuals seem to hold onto something though their later years and gardening is one hobby that many elderly can take pride in. I was not surprised by the findings in this study because I have many relatives who also enjoy gardening in retirement. With spring right around the corner this article is inspiration for us all to get out and play in the soil!
I found a write up from Texas A&M about a survey of older adults regarding gardening. Avid gardeners reported feeling more optimism, more energy, and being more physically active compared to those who did not garden. Larger numbers of individuals who garden also report feeling younger and appeared to have goals compared to those who do not garden.
This article reminded me of the Blue Zones that we watched in class. Gardeners are active, performing manual labor, and getting outside to get their daily dose of Vitamin D like some of the individuals profiled in the Blue Zones. Many individuals seem to hold onto something though their later years and gardening is one hobby that many elderly can take pride in. I was not surprised by the findings in this study because I have many relatives who also enjoy gardening in retirement. With spring right around the corner this article is inspiration for us all to get out and play in the soil!
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