Aging as a Whole is a Vicious Cycle

Whenever anyone seems to be aging so badly that signs of senility, feebleness, and disability are present, it’s important to investigate their lifestyle.

Problems crop up in a person’s daily routine that are too often ignored, especially when they are only “showing their age.” It is estimated that between a third and half of senility cases result from the following treatable factors: Malnutrition, side effects from drugs, smoking, alcohol abuse, dehydration, depression, inactivity.

All these factors begin in awareness, stemming either from neglect or from habit. Alone or in combination, any of these factors can dramatically affect how a person looks and acts.

Not drinking enough water every day is one of the most common conditions in old age, chronic dehydration being a major cause of preventable aging. It is an avoidable complication that leads to many problems.

The ultimate solution doesn’t lie with medicine but with personal change. People in nursing homes improve remarkably after altering their lives in the simplest ways–giving them a potted plant to tend, allowing them to make up their own menus and take charge of tidying their rooms. These people regain a sense of usefulness and worth.

Adapted from Ageless Body, Timeless Mind, by Deepak Chopra (Three Rivers Press, 1998).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Lynn C.

9:01PM PST on Feb 3, 2012

I see this happening every day, now that I'm caretaker for my parents. It's always a fine line between making a suggestion and becoming irritatingly 'bossy', especially when I see their choices making their health issues worse, and then listening to them complain about how badly they feel.
Sigh.
There just comes a point when I have to let it go and keep saying to myself - it's their life and their choice.

send a green star

Janice L.

8:42PM PST on Dec 11, 2010

I see so many people here in the South who age very badly, but they don't take care of themselves. If you never exercise, never meditate, have toxic relationships, follow a toxic religion, think toxic thoughts, stay glued to the TV AND TAKE THAT STUFF SERIOUSLY, then you age.

Rosi Caswell A.

11:42AM PST on Nov 14, 2010

If we look at "stage" not "age", many factors and questions slot neatly into place. As many of you will know, broadly speaking, we journey through life in recurring cycles comprising seven year spans, working through the seven major chakras, (energy centres) within our physical body, which are linked to and energise specific parts of our body. As we travel onwards, we all hold certain issues which are manifested within the area of our body pertinent to the chakra it is linked with; this serves to demonstrate which issues we need to deal with and release; there will then no longer be a need to manifest any ailment linked to said issue, for the "message" has been heard and the issue dealt with. These issues are sourced, identified and dealt with through the process of Metaphysical (beyond the physical) Counselling, aka Self Help Therapy, which defies age, but identifies stage. Once we grasp and work within this concept, we are then truly able to Heal ourselves by releasing the underlying need to manifest any given ailment.
Rosi Caswell, Animal Whisperer, Animal/Human Therapist, Metaphysical Counsellor

11:10AM PST on Nov 14, 2010

If we look at "stage" not "age", many factors and questions slot neatly into place. As many of you will know, broadly speaking, we journey through life in recurring cycles comprising seven year spans, working through the seven major chakras, (energy centres) within our physical body, which are linked to and energise specific parts of our body. As we travel onwards, we all hold certain issues which are manifested within the area of our body pertinent to the chakra it is linked with; this serves to demonstrate which issues we need to deal with and release; there will then no longer be a need to manifest any ailment linked to said issue, for the "message" has been heard and the issue dealt with. These issues are sourced, identified and dealt with through the process of Metaphysical (beyond the physical) Counselling, aka Self Help Therapy, which defies age, but identifies stage. Once we grasp and work within this concept, we are then truly able to Heal ourselves, by releasing the underlying need to manifest any given ailment.
Rosi Caswell, Animal Whisperer, Animal/Human Therapist, Metaphysical Counsellor

Barbara E.

2:39PM PST on Nov 9, 2010

Happiness,serenity,tranquility,peace,Love,joy,positivity and striving every day to achieve it. :-) thanx

Ann W.

10:36AM PST on Nov 8, 2010

Oh, boy, do I know someone who could benefit from this! But he prefers living in denial.

Wish I could cut him loose.

Carole H.

3:11AM PST on Nov 8, 2010

Its very sad the way some people age and I agree that it has a lot to do with their overall lifestyle. If people feel unloved and unwanted and uncared for they will get depressed and neglect themselves, it is up to us to help them however small a task we can manage. Maybe take round a healthy hot meal or ask can you help with their shopping or cleaning etc for a day.. Barbara m I was sorry to read about your sister's problems, can you not help her in any way maybe get that lazy son of hers and his girlfriend to find a job.

Brenda Marie C. C.

2:13AM PST on Nov 8, 2010

great topic, I am aware it is a fight to pamper yourself when you do not recognize the individual in the mirror, and your machine seems to need a complete tune up, but your doctors keep saying oh you look so good' and won't pay attention to your complaints b/c you appear healthy.
It took a month to get ready for the medical visit, maybe the next medical appointment I shall dress in rags, and not comb my hair, then maybe my complaints will be address. Sad that people are unable to see past themselves,I feel like a brand new house with termites.

Barbara m.

1:11AM PST on Nov 8, 2010

yeah I wish i knew why my sister is aging fast, being sick alot and having lungs problems and breathing problems. I think alot of it is in her living enviroment like having dogs in the house peeing all over the carpet and floors and then she breathes it. it can't be healthy for a sick person with lung problems can it? plus i don't think she eats well as she has a son and his girlfriend living with her but they probaly don't cook healthy meals and they aren't very good housekeepers either ! the house stinks of pee and stuff! And is always messy and dirty with clothes laying in the bathroom floor and through the hall way and jsut dirty. but what can one do? nothing its their life and she's not able to clean and hates the mess but has to live with it anyway its all she has after all. and the son doesn't work never has and his gf did but not now but she has to beg her to do the dishes even cause she doesn't like cleaning house? oh well just venting it out.

heather g.

12:36AM PDT on Nov 7, 2010

Very good points ...... It's difficult in some cases to keep older people well-hydrated. However, I don't think Gatorade is a solution.
Seniors seem to like all the wrong foods - far too many sugary cakes and cookies. To my surprise, I came across one man who claimed that he couldn't eat salad because it 'stuck in his throat' - turned out he never saw or ate any while growing up on the Canadian prairies. Top choice is white bread and most vegetables are unknown. My favourite, plain organic yoghurt could just as well be devil's food. No wonder Canadians have to have a Food Guide - if only seniors would follow it.