A Lawyer by Profession but a Fitness Enthusiast at Heart

Sharing a motivational story of 78+ Mr. Manikonda Prakash Rao who through his determination and with a purpose to do something good for the society devised some exercises to help those who suffers from respiratory problems. (http://seniorexpress.in/health-fitness/a-lawyer-by-profession-but-a-fitness-enthusiast-at-heart/)

This story is published on www.seniorexpress.in

An Optimist who Defeated Cancer

Sharing an inspirational story of 73 year "Young" Mr. Jayant. P. Nadkarni, who through his strong will power and family support fought and defeated 'Cancer'. (http://seniorexpress.in/hea…/an-optimist-who-defeated-cancer) .

He is a perfect example of productive and active ageing.

This story was published on www.seniorexpress.in .If you liked this story or you have a story to share then either contact us on seniorexpress.in@gmail.com or submit a story here: http://seniorexpress.in/pages/contact .

Launch of Senior Express- www.seniorexpress.in

Happy to announce the launch of my dream project - www.seniorexpress.in.

Senior Express is an online platform where anyone can share and discuss, ideas and topics related to healthy, productive and active ageing.

The site is multi device compatible and can be accessed from mobile or tablet as well. Look forward to your support and active participation.

World's Oldest Yoga Teacher

98 year old Ms. Tao Porchon - Lynch is the world's Oldest Yoga teacher. She teaches discipline and control of the body and mind through Yoga. She is well equipped  to spread Yogic insights, originating in India, to Westerners seeking enlightenment. She believes in living a healthy and happy life (http://www.taoporchon-lynch.com/home.html).

Tao is a perfect example of Healthy, Productive and Active Ageing. I salute this lady for her positive spirit towards life and also for her useful contribution towards society.

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An 82 Year Old Social Worker

82-year-old  S. Chandramathi Rao is an inspiration for not only youngsters but elders too. At this age when many want to focus upon themselves and their health, she chooses to provide peace of mind to other elderly who don’t have anyone to take care of them. (http://www.thebetterindia.com/69651/why-this-82-year-old-chose-to-start-an-old-age-home-in-bengaluru/)

While visiting some old age homes and looking at the poor condition of the residents there, ten years ago she started an old age home called “Nemmadi Vishranthi Dhama”. This old age home has all the facilities for the elderly. Since ten years she is running this old age home. Still she is taking care of the residents and trying her best to make them feel at home, a place where they can live with peace of mind.

She is a perfect example of healthy and productive ageing. I salute this lady for her great deed.

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Most Tattooed Elderly Couple

Who says that only youngsters are crazy about tattoos? Meet Charles Helmke, 75, and Charlotte Guttenberg, 67, who hold Guinness World Records for being the most tattooed senior citizen of their gender (http://www.people.com/article/guinness-world-records-most-tattooed-senior-citizens-couple). Guttenberg has 91.5 percent of her body covered by tattoos and 93.75 percent of Helmke’s body is covered by tattoos.

This proves that age is just a number and there is no age limit for following one’s passion.

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Happy Dussehra!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Dussehra. Lets take a pledge on this Dussehra to fight with all negative thoughts within us or in the society which stops us and our significant others from leading a Healthy, Productive and Active life.

Enjoy this festival with your family and friends, especially with the elder members of your family who look forward to enjoy this day in the company of their family members.

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Senior Citizens as a Team Mascot in a Swedish Football Match

Often sports is suppose to be a field where youngsters are encouraged to participate more as compared to elders. I appreciate the nice initiative taken by the Swedish Football club AIK in which they encouraged the oldest club members to enter the field as team mascots (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/19/aik-swapped-children-pensioners-mascots-gefle-lennart-johansson). Through this step they not only expressed their respect to the older members but also raised their self esteem.

There is a dire need for such kind of initiatives in the field of sports. I feel more and more sport events should have such activities where elderly are also encouraged to participate which in turn can help them (especially those who have interest in sports) lead an active, dignified and productive life.

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Happy World Elders' Day

1st October is celebrated worldwide as World Elders' Day or International Day of Older Persons. The aim behind this is to dedicate a day for senior citizens and on this day highlight the important contributions of the 60+ towards the society and create awareness on the issues and challenges related to ageing.

This year's theme for World Elders' Day is to Take a Stand Against Ageism. So, lets join hands to prevent the spread of negative attitudes, stereotypes and discrimination against senior citizens by fighting with our own ageist view (if any) and stopping others around us, be in family, office or society from talking or thinking negatively about old age.

I seriously feel that the first and foremost step towards Stopping Ageism is by sensitizing people about issues and challenges related to old age and with the fact that ageing is not synonymous with health problem as there are many people in this world who are an example of healthy, positive and active ageing.

On today's occasion I wish all elders a very happy elders day. My message to them is - Lead a healthy and happy life and inspire us with your positive attitude towards life.

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Dementia: Issues and Concerns

As I have written earlier, dementia is a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes which includes loss of memory, difficulty in understanding what people are saying, difficulty in performing routine tasks and some personality and mood changes. These are some of the symptoms which a person suffering from dementia experiences. In addition to this, as it progresses, socially and psychologically a person with dementia faces many problems in adjusting well with everyday task in their family and society, not only because of  the symptoms which it brings but also because of the stigma attached with it and also due to lack of information about how to deal with it..

With reference to the above context, I found a very useful article written by Dr. Mala Kapur Shankardass, who is a sociologist and a gerontologist. The article "Remembering those who have lost their memory" (http://www.asianage.com/health-fitness/remembering-those-who-have-lost-their-memory-685) highlights the critical issues related to dementia and gives suggestions as to how it can be controlled in number of ways for which special effort has to be put by the family, community and society.

While working with and for senior citizens have come across many people including youngsters who had no information about dementia and who felt that it is a part of old age. I strongly feel that it is very important first to raise awareness about dementia that it is disease and not just a part of old age. This should be done in strategic way by organizations working for senior citizens. Along with this ways of  controlling it should also be shared by experts in this field and people should be sensitized about the needs of people with dementia. As of now very few organizations are working towards this aim. More and more organizations both from voluntary and corporate sector must join hands to work towards this goal.

Lastly, I want to say that to deal with this issue well as Dr. Mala mentioned “dementia-friendly communities” are required very much in today's time because along with encouraging social involvement of people with dementia, such communities also raise awareness on the needs and well-being of care givers and reduce risk factors that may contribute towards the growing incidence of the disease. I am sure as the number of such communities will increase occurrence of dementia will be controlled and people will be able to lead a healthy and active life.

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Taking up Hobbies and Social Interest is a part of Retirement Planning

Found an interesting article which suggests that apart from financial planning one must also focus upon psycho-social retirement planning like taking up hobbies, social interest and participating in social interactions for adapting well with retirement. (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/plan/retirement-planning-is-more-than-money-part-time-jobs-social-interests-help-in-transition/articleshow/54375303.cms)

I agree with this very much because I have seen many financially sound elderly to be facing lot of problem while adapting with retirement because though they are financially prepared for it but are not ready for it at social and emotional end. While collecting data for my Master’s Dissertation which focused upon studying the process of Senior’s adaptation to retirement, many of my participants emphasised on the above point by saying that for adapting well with retirement one has to be prepared for it economically, mentally and socially.

Based on my observations I can say that those who take retirement as one of the transition in life and who believe in enjoying life or exploring new interests are the one who remain happy after retirement and adapt well with it.

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Senior College for keeping seniors active

Nothing can make my day as exciting as this news coming from Williston, United States, where senior citizens are celebrating healthy ageing month by attending senior college (http://www.myndnow.com/news/williston-news/williston-senior-college-keeps-senior-citizens-sharp).

Such classes have been organised for keeping the elderly mentally involved and fit. Various researches done so far have proved that exercising the body, and the brain regularly, improves thinking and memory skills. It also delays or prevents certain disorders like Alzheimer's.

Appreciating the efforts of the seniors, Jim Stout, Associate Professor at Williston State College said "They learn so much from each other and they appreciate learning from some each other. They don't put it all on me." This reminds me about some of my 60+ active and passionate students at Tata Institute of Social Sciences whom I taught Gerontology in 2014.

As longevity is increasing we need to involve more and more seniors in tasks which can keep them mentally and physically active. Starting senior college for 60+ is one of the best ways to make them learn and share their knowledge and thus keep themselves mentally and physically fit.

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Today is World Alzheimer's Day

September 21 is observed worldwide as Alzheimer’s Day. Alzheimer's is a type of dementia. Dementia is a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes which includes loss of memory, difficulty in understanding what people are saying, difficulty in performing routine tasks and personality and mood changes.

Today lets take a moment from our busy schedule and think of ways in which we can keep our mind positive and active. These are some ways in which Alzheimer's can be prevented.

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100 Year Old Runner from India

Sharing another inspirational news about 100 year old Man Kaur from India who participated in the Americas Masters Games held in Vancouver, British Columbia and won a gold medal for her strong will power and determination to run and finish the race at such an age when for many walking is a difficult task. She not only amazed but also inspired her fellow runners both young and elder by such act.(http://www.news18.com/news/buzz/indias-100-year-old-runner-man-kaur-bags-gold-medal-at-american-masters-games-1287207.html)

She is really a perfect example of Healthy and Productive Ageing. I salute her for her zeal and strong will power.

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The 'Iron Nun'

86 year old  nun Sister Madonna Buder is an inspiration for all those youngsters and elderly who are health conscious and who want to keep themselves fit. By participating 45 times in the Ironman World Championship Triathlon, Sister Madonna has proved that nothing is impossible. She competed in her first Ironman World Championship triathlon at age 55 in 1985 in Hawaii. (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/86-year-old-sister-dubbed-8643674).

Kudos to Sister Madonna for leading such an active and healthy life. She is  really an 'Iron Nun' and a perfect example of Healthy and Productive Ageing.

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"You are as old as you feel"

Almost ten years back while collecting data for my PhD work I asked one of my participants about his ageing experiences and in response to my question he said "You are as old as you feel". This one liner response gave me a clear picture about his conceptualization of ageing. By saying this he was emphasizing on one's subjective health and the important role it plays in someone leading an healthy and positive life.

Same point has been emphasized in this article  (https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/out-the-ooze/201605/the-surprising-factor-can-predict-long-life) which shares details of a longitudinal study done on 6000 British individuals. An important finding of this research is that the most sensitive measure of longevity was the individual’s own subjective evaluation of how healthy he or she felt.

Being a psychologist and a gerontologist I strongly believe that one's positive perspective and outlook towards life has an important role to play in one leading a healthy and active life and also ageing gracefully. That is why one should try their best to think positive and at least create a positive psychological environment around them.

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Stop Elder Abuse

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. I am happy that the media has started paying attention towards this issue not just for TRP but for creating awareness as well. Found a video by NDTV where a social experiment was done in the city of Meerut to check people's reaction when a senior citizen is being ill treated by his family members. Well I didn't like some of the derogatory remarks made by the family members but since its a social experiment so can understand the intention behind such an act.

I wish media must partner with voluntary organizations and should focus on creating awareness on elder abuse and also towards creating a society free from elder abuse.

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Sindhutai, a Mother of many Orphans

Sharing an inspirational story of  Ms. Sindhutai Sapkal, who is a social worker and has received 273 awards so far for nurturing hundreds of orphans.  Inspite of having a struggling past she decided to work for this nobel cause. Kudos to her for doing such a great work.

She is really an example of active and productive ageing. Thank you yourstory.com for sharing her story. You can read more about her on: http://her.yourstory.com/sindhutai-0516

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80+ Old Labourer fighting with Land Mafia

Sharing an inspiring story of an 80+ labourer Mr. Natarajan who is  protesting against the large-scale quarry mining in his village in Kerala by distributing his land to poor families. He feels that such an act will control the actions of land mafias.

I salute this gentleman for his daring step and thank The Better India for sharing such an inspirational story. (http://www.thebetterindia.com/43223/kerala-pathanamthitta-quarry-environment/)

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Happy Mother's Day

Wising all Mothers a very Happy Mother's Day. A mother is a person who not only brings a child in this world but all nurtures her/him into a healthy human being. No matter who we are and what our age is our mother always play an important role in our life, who guides us and helps us to lead a healthy and active life.

Not only today but always we should be grateful to our mother for what she has done for us. Once again Happy Mother's Day!

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'Aajibaichi Shala' (Grandmothers' School)

Kudos to The Motiram Dalal Charitable Trust and  Mr. Yogendra Bangar, the teacher, for running the 'Aajibaichi Shala' (Grandmothers' School) for elderly women aged 60-90 years in Phangane village of Thane district, Maharashtra. (http://www.hindustantimes.com/health-and-fitness/a-search-for-dignity-and-self-respect/story-dP4mDSgtR1c07hyKoConhL.html )

This school is one of its kind in India. It is not only an innovative idea but also a need based initiative for those elderly women whose long-term wish of getting educated is being fulfilled at last. Education is the birth right of each individual and by such an initiative the Motiram Dalal Charitable Trust and Mr. Bangar are helping those elderly women to practice their right to education.

I wish more and more such schools should open in other parts of India which will not only fulfill the dreams of illiterate elderly but will also enhance their self esteem and well-being.

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Oldest Trekker to reach Rupin Pass

On a lazy Sunday one thing which can definitely energies many of us is the recent news about Mr. Gopal Lele, 81 year old Pune based trekker who reached Rupin Pass in Himachal Pradesh and thus got an entry in the Limca Book of Records for being the oldest trekker.(http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/pune-trekker-enters-limca-book-of-records/)

He is a real example of healthy and active ageing and a true inspiration for many of us.

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"I'll See You in My Dreams"

By now through the title of this post you must have guessed that this post is about the movie "I'll See You in My Dreams" which was released in the year 2015. I really enjoyed watching this movie and I would suggest you all to watch this wonderful movie which mainly revolves around the life of the lead female character 'Carol' (Blythe Danner).  She is a 70+ widow and former musician, who is otherwise leading a healthy, social and disciplined life but is experiencing some emptiness in her life. The story revolves around her feelings and her endeavours to enjoy life and lead it in a happy way.

To me Carol's character is definitely an example of healthy, active and productive ageing.

Try to watch this movie and share your views on it.

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90+ Female Doctor from Indore

Reading this article really made my day. It is about Dr. Bhakti Yadav, a 90+ gynaecologist from Indore. She is still providing medical help to her patient's free of cost. (http://www.thebetterindia.com/47220/doctor-bhakti-yadav-indore/)

I salute this lady because not only she is herself  leading an active and healthy life but is also helping her women patients to bring healthy life in this world.

She is definitely an inspiration for all us. Through her deeds she proves that if someone is passionate to do something then he/she can do it in anyway.

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Stop Ageism

Came across this interesting article on ageism and how dangerous an ageist attitude can be towards one's physical and mental health. (http://newamericamedia.org/2015/12/ageism-attitude-can-impact-your-physical-and-brain-health.php)

Request you all to please read this article and realize how much harmful can ageist stereotypes be towards the development of healthy, active and productive ageing.

In the end lets take a pledge to stop ageism in our family, society and community.

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Age is Just a Number

Reading this article really made my day (http://www.thebetterindia.com/41974/people-twilight-years-inspirational-sunderlal-bahuguna-fauja-singh-bhanu-rao-nanammal-kt-antony/).  Its about five elderly of Indian origin who proved to the society that age is just a number by leading an active, productive and healthy life post 80 years.

Enjoy reading it!

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Happy New Year, 2016

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, 2016. May we all grow active and healthy day by day.

Lets take a resolution this year to lead an active a healthy life.

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