Experiencing firsthand how difficult an aging alcoholic, quadriplegic, post stroke, narcissistic, demented or simply ‘nothing’s wrong with me, I can drive, I don’t need those meds, I don’t need to go to a nursing facility’ kinda parent surely gives you some insight on what to do, what not to do and how to prepare for our own aging and eventual demise.
How do you plan to age gracefully and what advice do you have for us all?
Diet, low to no sugar.
Cardiovascular exercise every week.
Resistance training every week
Maintain social engagement outside of work, have a strong friend group that doesn’t depend on you having a job
Reduce or remove optional vices like smoking, alcohol, drugs
But most importantly, have something to live for! Have a purpose greater than yourself.
The goal is to live long, and die fast.
Purpose is the most important. It is clearly observable that you fade away when you “sit behind the geraniums”, as we say in my country. Pointing at old folks sitting behind the window, with geraniums in the windowsill, staring outside all day.