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How not to go doo-lally in later life
Visiting the laterlife website is good for the brain. OK, I
am stretching a point, but it’s month Number 2 of our Challenge -
which is all about being physically active in later life – and
judging by the responses to this Challenge, many of us are into
exercising, which turns out to be very good for the brain.
Research on people over 65 who exercise has shown that they
are up to 40% less likely to develop dementia. You don’t need much
apparently. Just 15 minutes 3 times a week. Hiking, swimming, water
aerobics, weight training, stretching, playing tennis – they all act
as protection against Alzheimers’ disease and other mental
degeneration in later life.
Which is good news for nominations for our Active in Later Life
Challenge. Here’s one example:
“A brother of mine who is recovering from cancer and who loves
walking, has formed a walking club and is climbing the 'Munros',
which are the highest of Scotland's mountains, 284 mountain tops
named after the man who first catalogued them, Sir Hugh Munro. The
Munros are among the finest mountains in Scotland."
Another is willing to get peculiar looks from fellow hikers
who may be a lot younger than he is. “Doing long(ish) distance
walks, a bit each day, and staying in Youth Hostels/Bed & Breakfast
overnight,” says this brave person.
There were lots who recommended joining the gym for off-peak
membership, thus getting the benefits without the lycra-clad
crowd (it’s something I do myself).
My vote, however, would go to this one:
“My father may be an interesting example. Born in 1913 and now in
his 93rd year, he was the youngest qualified surgeon in the country
before the second world war. During the war he ran a field surgical
unit in various places, including Palestine, and met my mother at
the D Day landings when she was allocated as his field sister.
“After the war, they married, had 5 children and Clifford retired at
65 after a successful career as a consultant surgeon in Liverpool.
He has always been a fanatical game fisherman and has continued his
passion up to the present day. When his wife died at the age of 79,
five years ago, he was determined to keep body and brain together.
He is still an active fisherman, swims once a day (weather
permitting) and is currently considering buying a mountain bike!”
But I am also tempted by this:
“A long-standing friend of mine has 'retired' early from a well-paid
job specifically to adopt a new lifestyle. He has spent the last 3
years renovating his new home. His intention was to undertake as
much of this renovation as possible himself, only using
professionals when absolutely necessarily. Coming from an
office-based career, this meant learning entirely new skills. The
result has been fantastic - a wonderful home and mostly through his
own work. He is now using these new-found skills to move into
property development and a whole new career in retirement.”
And how about this?
“My father is 75 years of age and never stops! A 2-hour morning walk
spent exercising 3 energetic border collies is just for starters. He
is both press and fixtures secretary for a local cricket club and he
umpires at every available opportunity. The ‘phone rings constantly
for him and he has a better social life than most of the teenagers
around this area!”
See what I mean about laterlife.com? Now find out more about this
month’s Challenge by clicking on
Active in laterlife
Previous Challenge Talkbacks
Reinventing retirement
How not to go doo-lally in later life
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Talkback is a
regular feature in laterlife.com run by
journalist and author Helen Franks. 
