The Franklin Aging Expo and its importance in helping overcome the worst enemy of older people.

The Franklin Positive Aging Expo is getting set to run again in Pukekohe, the initiative of a small charitable group, the Franklin Integration Project Group.

On the 1st October, and after a break of two years, this significant event, the biggest of its kind in New Zealand, is set to retake its claim as one of the unique Franklin features. In the past, over  100 groups were exhibiting with advice help and information available across many topics of relevance and importance  to older people and their families. This includes advice on residential care options and alternatives, resources and equipment for everyday living with a range of impairments or disabilities, suitable recreational activities, information on volunteering, support to and  for carers, and even professionals providing health screening and advice on healthy lifestyles.

Activities such as line dancing and Tai Chi, exercise to help keep you healthy and happy are showcased along with a range of hobbies, crafts, sports, and social activities to keep the mind and body active.

And its all free with complimentary refreshments throughout the day.

It is no coincidence that the event is being held on the first day of October. On December 14th 1990, the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1^st as the International Day of Older Persons. The day aims to raise awareness of the impacts of an aging population and the need to ensure people can grow old with dignity and to raise the consciousness about points which are affecting the aged.

Aging can be very frustrating, especially when you can’t do something you have enjoyed any more due to the process and difficulties of aging. In communities all around the world, people are living and thriving into their golden years. In places where longevity reigns, locals tend to eat balanced diets, are involved in daily low impact activities, focus on family and spirituality and carve out plenty of time to enjoy the simple things in life, and believe it or not there are two other prevalent ingredients, wine and sunny weather!

Using findings such as the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report  and the Blue Zones Project, countries where people have the highest life expectancy have been identified and in most of those destinations there are high concentrations of centenarians.

One of those is the the Caribbean Island of Barbados. Bhajans who reach 100 years of age are honoured with portraits printed on postage stamps. In Barbados, people spend their days with purpose by putting faith and family first. According to the Blue Zones Project, knowing your sense of purpose is worth up to 7 years of extra life expectancy.

In the Netherlands, one of the oldest people in the world died at age 115. She and others in the country have thrived thanks to a national focus on supporting healthy aging. Austrian citizens enjoy long life spans because the socioeconomics of the country positively affects the populations access to reliable healthcare and nutritious foods.  Austrian culture focuses on healthy work-life balance, with a more laid back approach to working hours and a priority on spending leisure time outdoors. 

In Jersey there may be mystic explanations for the longevity of people. Locals think that their ancestors were fairies. There is also a custom of building a stone seat on the exteriors of their homes so witches can rest and won’t cast evil spells on their households. The good news for me is, I am already officially a ‘fairie’ and there is plenty of seating outside on the veranda.

Spell or no spell, the message is clear about what contributes to reaching a grand old age, nutritious foods, purpose, family, exercise, community support, healthy work-life balance, a glass of wine and perhaps having a fairie in the family history! What then is the worst enemy of older people?

It is loneliness!

Among the many health concerns that can befall seniors, loneliness is one of the most common and least discussed. Research shows that chronic loneliness can have a significant impact on your overall health, including brain health. Some studies even suggest that there may be a link between loneliness and an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's.

Age Concern reports that about half of older New Zealanders experience some level of loneliness, and 8-9% feel severely lonely all or most of the time, and 44% moderately lonely. This is important because having inadequate social relationships has shown to be as bad as smoking.

While loneliness can be incredibly detrimental to health, it can also be successfully alleviated through a number of activities and treatments. For many seniors, the increased presence of people is all that is needed to alleviate loneliness.

This can be achieved a number of ways, including scheduling regular outings, visits with friends and family, attending senior activities in the community, volunteering. Exercise is another excellent activity both for health and greater wellbeing.

The Franklin Positive Aging Expo is an excellent resource not just for older people but also their families and others who have older friends.

It would be great to see our community support the Expo, and also if there is someone you know who is older and on their own, offer to bring them along. And if you are much younger, bring Mum or Dad, or Nana or Grandad, or just to get ideas for yourself to help plan for your later life.

This oldie looks forward to seeing you there.   

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10164336343975652

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