A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO AGING WELL

The five dimensions of aging are physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual which are also the five dimensions of living a full life at any age. Underline at any age.  Regardless of age, these are life forces and resources that enrich the quality of life, thus the increasing concern when they appear to be in decline. What needs to happen. is for people to pay more attention to all of them and not miss a possible, additional resource by giving all our attention to one major, serious issue. 

Consider each of these five dimensions as they relate to aging and see how we might address some of the inevitable decline and how we might draw upon multiple resources on behalf of the aging individual, perhaps ourselves.  This is an opportunity with a myriad of choices.  These dimensions are important components in adult development, and they are the factors that become even more critical in the aging process.  Each one affects one or more of the others in ways that are often not acknowledged and thus not appreciated or attended to in ways that might ameliorate some of the decline.  We tend to treat people along one dimension and concentrate most of our energy, time and resources there, sometimes missing something else which we could attend to in a more comprehensive analysis and treatment response.

For example, a patient goes to the doctor or a specialist and the diagnosis is often targeted to a single cause and the DSM5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders) and the 70th edition of the PDR (Physicians Desk Reference regarding drugs, dosage and contraindications) are referred to for answers to some of these perplexing problems.  A familiar process starts with a complaint or an observation of some kind of negative or unwelcome change.  That is followed by a diagnosis which then gets a label.  And then a regimen of drugs is usually prescribed along with other recommendations for possible changes in life style.  Exercise and diet are among the more popular   As people get older they often become more sedentary and eat whatever is appealing.

When older people live in a retirement community, there is often an array of social activities designed to keep people actively engaged with one another. There are obviously no guarantees; however, I am convinced that it is possible to increase the chances for a better outcome by a more comprehensive understanding and approach.  What many people, both individuals and families, seem not to want to do is to talk about how they want to live out the last years of their lives. It may be because it’s too sensitive and they have an attitude that they will just deal with whatever comes when it comes.  Postponing the conversation until it becomes absolutely necessary is one choice, not necessarily the best one. 

Many, if not most, of the concerns about aging hover around the physical decline as that is the most obvious and often the most troublesome.  From decreasing mobility and agility to various physical health problems to specific disease and disabilities, we see or experience these changes and they are often discouraging and even depressing.  There are a variety of dysfunctions within the systems of the body and often under the general category of loss – vascular, skeletal, neural, muscular, visual, auditory, digestive.  And this is only one of the five dimensions.  It may require more conscious, mental effort to be alert to the changing conditions.

Exercising both body and mind through a variety of activities such as walking, reading, writing, and playing games can help. Expressing emotions and sharing our feelings with others rather than repressing them is a healthier response.  Social connections appear to enrich older people’s lives according to various studies and personal experiences. Attending to matters of Spirit, whether through a defined faith or understanding how belief in a higher power connects us to the natural world and to ourselves contributes to attitudes of peace and contentment. Meditation, conscious deep breathing, yoga or some other combination of mind, body, spirit activity can help overall health.

Passing by 80 seems to be a milestone of some kind.  It may be the realization of where we are on the continuum, how we regard a life that has blessed us with good relationships, opportunities and choices.  Here are a few observations and experiences that have emerged, along with me, over this extended period of time.

Echoing the sentiments of Bertrand Russel, I regard my life as a stream or a river where the current ebbs and flows, sometimes rushing on and other times slowing to almost imperceptible movement forward.  Many streams and rivers increase in size and depth as they follow the gravitational pull.  With few exceptions, including a few painful experiences, the way has been and continues to be forward.  Some see set-backs as discouraging delays or blocks. These often include losses, in the areas of health concerns - physical, mental, emotional and social, a relationship or other kind of loss.  Those are real and not to be minimized. They are also learning experiences for what lies ahead.

When the prevailing attitude and mind-set are gratitude, even for the difficulties and challenges that one encounters along the way, there is little time or room for complaints or conflicts. These can be resolved one way or another in order to continue life’s journey under different circumstances.   When we feel and believe that we are an essential part of this ongoing creation, we can evolve to the next stage in better condition than we might have imagined previously.

If I were isolate a few more things that I believe account for some of the characteristics of a life well-lived I would add kindness, gentleness, patience, perseverance, love, forgiveness, empathy and faith.  The integration of these five dimensions - physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual help one live in what I call the broad and deep spectrum of humanity.  Whether or not we want to acknowledge it, I believe we are all connected, part of the same fabric. There may be disagreements among family members about the best way forward under difficult and challenging conditions.  This is why a more holistic approach by considering all five dimensions can be a more helpful and productive approach. Acknowledge the interdependence of these dimensions as they relate to the individual and see if that might help everyone to a better understanding, and a more creative plan forward.

When I wrote a brief memoir in 2013, I concluded it by saying, “If we are to succeed…we must learn how to build collaborative energy, listen carefully to what is and what is not being said, ask questions that are penetrating and honest, discern the real from the superficial, and help a group move forward with a purposeful, shared vision…” That group might well be you and/or your family at this stage.

When we reach these advanced years and still have a measure of grace, humor and confidence intact we can consider ourselves fortunate.  I begin each day by regarding it as a gift waiting to be received, embraced and celebrated.  I set aside a few moments and with deliberate and conscious intention offer a quiet prayer of gratitude for one more opportunity to make of a day whatever I can. The sense of freedom in choosing how I will use this gift of time remains large on this landscape of life as I know it.