I can’t die. It would ruin my image.
- Jack Lalanne

A man’s health can be judged by which he takes two at a time – pills or stairs.
~Joan Welsh

I read an article online from SmartMoney titled; Hanging On at Home. The piece begins with the jugular question: Where will people live as they grow old?

The author goes on to describe a summary of the social forces that have shaped the living conditions of seniors prior to WWII, up to the present. He then provides five suggestions for “cutting through the clutter” of aging-in-place information on the web.

Not to cloudy the waters further, but I’d like to add a sixth suggestion…

Jack Was Right

Many of the targeted audience for the SM article grew up watching black and white images of a sincere, high-energy-buffed-guy in a tight-fitting jump suit, giving motivational chats, leading invigorating workouts, encouraging deep breathing and healthy living; all accompanied by lively organ music.

The sets were simple (a steel office chair and a poster board) but the concepts were not—and they still ring true today.

Jack Lalane was right; he knew that many people’s lives were just suicide on the installment plan. Jack recognized our changing disease states which have gone from acute (i.e., pneumonia which was once called “the old man’s friend”), to chronic (i.e., diabetes which isn’t cured only managed over long periods); and many were due simply to neglect.

Functional Aging

Aging in place requires more than just making a few simple changes such as replacing doorknobs with pull handles or installing ramps and no-step thresholds. These strategies are important, but functional aging is a key element in extending independence.

Lalanne described “functional aging” in his The Hands of Time episode. The goal was to die “young,” as late in life as possible…which is really the difference between extending life vs. extending health; they are not the same thing.

Much attention has been paid lately to the biomarkers of aging and how they can be affected by lifestyle. One key biomarker (measurable physiological factor related to aging) is aerobic capacity.

Aerobic capacity (age and weight specific) is how exercise physiologist measure uptake and utilization of oxygen by the body; the term used is VO2max. This is an essential factor for aging in place, because if you have a VO2max of less than 10ml/kg/min you can’t live independently at home because of the inability to do activities of daily living (ADLs).

The Bad News
As we age, under normal conditions (meaning no underlying diseases like lung cancer) our VO2max after age 30 decreases by 1% each year. So a 70 year old has a 40% decrease in VO2max.

The Good News
Exercise can decrease that 1% yearly decline in VO2max after age 30, by half. So a 70 year old may only experience a 20% decrease in VO2max.

The Sixth Suggestion

So, while you’re doing that elder-friendly home evaluation, embracing the concept of universal design, emphasizing fall prevention, comparison shopping-remodelers, and staying aware of public trends…PLEASE don’t over look taking care of yourself physically (and mentally).  As Jack might say; you know students, your body needs to be available to you…

Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.

-Jim Rohn

See
The Early Death
Jack’s Face Workout
Disuse and Aging
Aerobic Activity Fights Aging, Extends Independence
VO2max testing
Time to Remodel that “House”
Jack Lalanne.com