Advice on aging well
“It’s paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn’t appeal to anyone.”
― Andy Rooney
Chances are, you’ve seen all kinds of advice on aging well. There are the classics that we all know: eat healthy, exercise, get good sleep, and so on. And these are certainly helpful, but sometimes it’s a more out-of-the-box idea that resonates and motivates us to make those lifestyle changes that are so hard to do.
Our audiologists and team members asked some of our patients for their advice on the secrets to aging gracefully. Here are a few responses, plus evidence-based recommendations on how to put them into practice for yourself.
Mindset makes a difference
Be your own boss. One patient said she keeps a sticky note on her bathroom mirror that says, “Don’t let an old woman take over your body!” She believes that it’s your mindset that keeps you young — and experts agree.
Becca Levy, PhD, a professor of social and behavioral sciences at the Yale School of Public Health, recently published a study in the journal Geriatrics. Her research team followed more than 11,000 older Americans over a period of up to 12 years to track changes in their cognitive and physical well-being. Nearly half the participants showed improvements in at least one of the domains, challenging the stereotype that aging is always a time of decline.
“Many people equate aging with an inevitable and continuous loss of physical and cognitive abilities,” said Dr. Levy. “What we found is that improvement in later life is not rare, it’s common, and it should be included in our understanding of the aging process.”1
Dr. Levy’s team also discovered that people with more positive beliefs about aging were often among the group that showed improvements over time. In other words, if you think life gets better as you get older, you may just make that your reality.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study came to similar conclusions. Researchers followed 14,000 adults over age 50 and found that the people who had the highest satisfaction with aging had a 43% lower risk of dying from any cause over a four-year period compared with those who were the least satisfied. Those with a positive mindset also had lower risk for health conditions like diabetes, cancer and heart disease and were less lonely and depressed.
“There’s a connection between mindsets and health behaviors,” said Eric Kim, one of the Harvard researchers. “One leads to the other.”2
So how can you develop a more positive attitude about getting older, especially when some of the challenges of aging are causing stress? Professor Kim suggests:
- Find activities and projects that are meaningful to you to maintain your sense of purpose.
- Don’t give in to negative stereotypes about aging.
- Find connection in community and stay socially active, through clubs, volunteer opportunities or senior centers.
- Keep trying new things, and take time to teach others your special skills or hobbies.
Staying connected keeps loneliness at bay
Relationships are key. A patient once told one of our administrative team members that she was better off without the guy who had recently broken off their relationship. Whether it’s finding the right people who keep your spirits up or stepping back from the folks who bring you down, building healthy relationships is another key to aging well.
Loneliness can compound all kinds of physical, mental and emotional health issues. Humans are hard-wired for community, and when we are isolated for too long, it begins to take a toll.
The Surgeon General even declared an epidemic of loneliness in the United States in May 2023. According to the advisory, lacking connection can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.3
This report warned that the physical consequences of poor connection can be devastating, including a 29% increased risk of heart disease; a 32% increased risk of stroke; and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults.
“Each of us can start now, in our own lives, by strengthening our connections and relationships. Our individual relationships are an untapped resource—a source of healing hiding in plain sight. They can help us live healthier, more productive, and more fulfilled lives,” the Surgeon General encouraged.
Here are a few simple ideas for strengthening your own relationships.
- Give people your full attention. It’s easy to become distracted by our phones, TV and other devices. Be sure to give your loved ones the gift of truly listening and responding during conversations.
- Seek to serve. Look for ways to get involved in your community in ways that suit your interests. Joining clubs, hobby groups or service organizations is a great way to make friends while also helping others.
- Cut back on negativity. If you notice that you are spending a lot of time absorbing negative messages, whether that’s from social media, watching too much of the news, or being around negative people, reduce your interactions with those sources of stress. You might find yourself ready for more positive, in-person connections when you free up that time.
- Carry kindness with you into the world. Whether it’s chatting with the grocery clerk, giving grace to a restaurant server when there’s a mix-up, or simply stopping to hold the door for someone, a little bit of kindness can go a long way in making you — and those around you — feel more connected.
Keep your hearing health at the forefront
Come see your audiologist! As any of our doctoral-level audiologists can tell you, issues like depression, loneliness and dementia have all been connected to hearing loss. Why? Because untreated hearing loss contributes to withdrawal from social activities, resulting in isolation and poorer overall health.
One of the key takeaways from our older patients (and a lot of experts, too!) is that aging is inevitable, but deterioration is not. That’s why addressing untreated hearing is so important to aging well—it can reduce the risk for all of these issues, helping individuals to engage socially and be more involved in their communities.
Treating hearing loss involves a comprehensive hearing evaluation performed by a trained audiologist. Your audiologist will do a hearing evaluation in a sound-treated booth, then spends time with you to talk through your biggest concerns about hearing loss.
Based on the results of your hearing evaluation and in-depth conversations, your audiologist can recommend appropriate technology to help you re-engage with life, including enjoying conversations with family and friends, hearing clearly at religious and and community activities, and pursuing all your passions.
Still not convinced? Take it from a patient who knows us well. This recent review is one of hundreds of 5-star reviews on our eight clinics across Kansas and Missouri:
“I have been going to Associated Audiologists for almost 30 years. The patient care is second to none. The check-in staff, technicians, and interns are consistently friendly, welcoming, and efficient. They help create a smooth and positive experience from the moment I arrive. My audiologist, Dr. Stacey Baldwin, is exceptionally knowledgeable and truly takes time to listen to my concerns and address any issues I experience. I really appreciate how she stays current with the latest technology and is always exploring better solutions to improve my hearing. Her dedication and proactive approach make a significant difference in my care. Highly recommend this facility.”
Schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation with a doctoral-level audiologist.
1 https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/yale-study-challenges-notion-that-aging-means-decline-finds-many-older-adults-improve-over-time/
2 https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/positive-attitude-about-aging-could-boost-health/
3 https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
