A few days ago, I watched the Mel Robbins’ podcast with Dr. Joseph Coughlin from MIT’s AgeLab. There were so many gems in that episode that I am still engaged with it.

I also usually have a few books in the hopper at any one time. One I have been working on for a while is How Not to Age by Michael Gregor, MD, FACLM. I just read the section on dementia as we have a family member who is suffering from it. I have read that many diseases are preventable and it is not automatic that we will get a disease because of genetics. Dementia is one of these – but it is developing decades before it is usually diagnosed. I find it interesting that so many think that dementia is just part of aging, but it is a disease and it can be prevented by taking care of yourself through the standard prescription – healthy food (avoid processed and too much of it), regular exercise, limited (if any) alcohol, stay hydrated, no smoking, enough sleep, and less stress. Everyone is different but I think these guidelines are smart no matter what your situation.

It is amazing to me how often I encounter the mindset that there is nothing that the person can do about getting this type of disease – they believe it is inevitable. For instance, my husband’s biological father died of a massive heart attack at age 42. That sits in the back of my husband’s head, even though he is almost 20 years older than his father was when he passed. He will take some preventative measures yet ignores others, saying they just don’t matter. His focus is to be able to get his job done at work, and most of the time anything above maintenance is not a priority.

Dr. Coughlin mentions the Longevity Preparedness Index, which are the eight dimensions of wellness. 

• Physical: Avoid disease and be able to do what you want
• Emotional: Highlighting the ability to cope with stress
• Social: Maintaining and growing relationships
• Occupational: Work satisfaction
• Financial: Ensuring you have enough to live on for long enough
• Spiritual: Personal beliefs and values
• Environmental: Safe surroundings
• Intellectual: Cognitive abilities and learning

These dimensions are interconnected. Oftentimes, while we are working, we ignore a few areas and plan to address them after we retire. The damage will take longer to repair then, and the other areas will suffer in the process. In retirement coaching, we help you to see where you are doing fine and where you can take small, incremental actions to help boost all areas of wellness. By keeping all of these facets in a good state, it is much more likely that you will live healthy longer and be able to enjoy your retirement.

I wanted to remind you about the next story sharing potluck – Food, Friends & Fellowship – that will be held Sunday, October 4, at Backporch Vineyard in King George, VA. The topic is retirement, so I am preparing a short intro and an exercise to get folks talking. The event is free, but I ask that you register on EventBrite (see link below) and let us know what food you are bringing at the Perfect Potluck site once you get the welcome email. Since it is fall, we are aiming for warm dishes like chili and stew. And our donation ask this time is for folks to bring ceramic mugs – these will be used for hot beverages and soups. We have changed the format a little. Set-up will begin at 6, registration and appetizers start at 6:30, then the main program of dinner and conversation occur from 7-8 pm. Hope you can join us!

Be curious! Be kind!

Ann

“Where focus goes, energy flows.” – Tony Robbins