GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY DEMANDS SELF-DISCIPLINE AND REGULAR EXERCISE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27241, 18 November 1949, Page 2

GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY DEMANDS SELF-DISCIPLINE AND REGULAR EXERCISE

NOTES FOR WOMEN

Now that there is a longer expectation of life and that already in New Zealand one in every eight persons is over the age of 60, more and more people are facing the problem of growing old gracefully. The onset of old age, as writers have depicted it in literature, varies with the individual, and apart from serious bodily illness, is largely the result of an attitude of mind and a loss of self-discipline. Geneotricians everywhere are studying the changes and processes of ageing . One of them, Dr Hennan Seidel, of Baltimore, has listed some ten commandments to help older people.

First of all, Dr Seidel emphasises the necessity of continuing to work as long as possible. Men should not retire too early, he considers, and women should continue with domestic

nise possession of any of the sense defects commonly found and make full use of helpful appliances such as hearing aids, eye-glasses and dentures is another commandment.

duties or responsibilities, retaining their accustomed positions in society for as long as possible. They should keep in contact with companions and life-long friends and should also exert themselves to make new friends and acquaintances. It is fatally easy for older people to adopt sedentary habits and inactivity. Dr Seidel considers. Open air activities and hobbies should be kept up, and if the retired person has not got any such interests he should acquire some. Systematic daily exercises, designed to prevent or overcome physical deformities should be practised regularly. Among these special mention is made of the value of deep breathing. Do not be too proud to recog-

A well-balanced diet of nourishing food and good body hygiene will help to keep face and body free from unsightly blemishes and to maintain general good health, but the older person should seek medical advise at frequent intervals and should carry out in full the advice given, even if it means some alteration of diet ‘or activity. Always maintain self-respect and dignity, be careful of personal appearance, dress neatly and retain good manners, Dr Seidel continues, and above ail avoid despair and an outlook of futility. The qualities of mind and personality which on older generation possesses are of inestimable value to the spiritual and aesthetic life of a community.