Latest news with #TakeFivetoAgeWell
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The 5 ‘pillars of ageing' doctors use to determine if you will live a long and healthy life – so how do you fare?
Follow top tips from the NHS to help you live longer TEST OF TIME The 5 'pillars of ageing' doctors use to determine if you will live a long and healthy life – so how do you fare? MANY of us want to live a long and healthy life - but how often do we think about the things we're doing now to help us get there? A five-part quiz created by experts may reveal how well you're ageing. Advertisement 3 Are you doing things right now to help you live longer? Credit: Getty Developed as part of the Take Five to Age Well project by The Open University and Age UK, the quiz asks a series of questions that may prompt you to take action. Many factors influence healthy ageing, some of which aren't in our control, while others are within our reach. Genetic factors cannot be controlled, but many affecting our physical, mental and social well-being can. Jitka Vseteckova, Senior Lecturer Health and Social Care at The Open University, and Lis Boulton, Visiting Research Fellow at the university, identified five key areas - known as the Five Pillars for Ageing Well - they say form a "strong foundation for staying well and thriving in later life". Advertisement Read more on living longer LIVE LONG & PROSPER The anti-ageing Ozempic effect: How fat jabs could help you live longer And it's these five pillars that form part of the quiz. 1. Are you eating well? Eating healthily means consuming a balanced diet with a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats. Writing for The Conversation, Vseteckova and Boulton say: "Diets like the Mediterranean plan are linked with a lower risk of dementia and other chronic conditions. "Malnutrition is a serious concern in older age, especially when it comes to maintaining strong muscles and bones." Advertisement 2. Are you staying hydrated? Drinking enough water is vital for maintaining bodily functions, promoting overall health, and preventing various health issues. Not drinking enough can cause dehydration and affect cognitive function, mood and energy. What healthy looks like Vseteckova and Boulton advise: "Cutting down on sugary drinks can help you to maintain a healthy weight and staying within recommended alcohol limits can also help lower your risk of conditions like dementia. Hydration really matters." But they add for people with life-limiting illnesses or conditions like advanced dementia, appetite and oral intake may be severely reduced. Advertisement And sugary drinks may be one of the few sources of calories they can tolerate, so hydration should take priority over strict nutritional guidelines. 3. Are you being physically active? 3 Just walking more can boost health and prevent diseases like osteoporosis Credit: Getty Being physically active is crucial for both physical and mental well-being, offering numerous benefits such as reduced risk of chronic diseases, improved mood, and increased energy levels. Just walking more can boost health, say Vseteckova and Boulton, and when paired with good nutrition, can help prevent degenerative disease osteoporosis. Advertisement 4. Are you connecting socially? Social connection is a fundamental human need, crucial for both mental and physical well-being. Strong social bonds provide emotional support, reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and contribute to a sense of belonging and self-worth. Furthermore, social interaction has been linked to improved cognitive function, a stronger immune system, and even a longer life. Vseteckova and Boulton explain: "Loneliness increases the risk of depression and cognitive decline. Advertisement "Building strong social ties earlier in life can help protect well-being over the long term." 5. Are you challenging your brain? 3 Doing crosswords has been shown to potentially delay dementia Credit: Getty Challenging your brain is crucial for maintaining cognitive function, enhancing mental abilities, and potentially delaying cognitive decline. This could involve learning, reading, playing an instrument, or trying something new. Advertisement Studies show activities like crossword puzzles or new physical activities can potentially delay dementia. "There's no magic fix, but even small actions can have lasting benefits," quip Vseteckova and Boulton. The Take Five to Age Well quiz is part of a free, expert-led, month-long challenge which supports participants' current habits and needs. Vseteckova and Boulton say: "We developed the Take Five to Age Well quiz to help people reflect on how they're doing across these five areas – and where there might be room to grow. Advertisement "The follow-up resources are based on real-life experiences of ageing from diverse communities and offer small, achievable steps you can start today."
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
People across Dumfries and Galloway urged to take simple steps towards aging well in May
People across Dumfries and Galloway are being urged to take simple steps towards aging well this May. The region's health and social care partnership is promoting the Take Five to Age Well campaign, which highlights that small, daily choices can make a huge difference. Lead AHP for community health and social care, Lynne Mann, said: 'Ageing well isn't just about reacting to illness later in life — it's about taking small, manageable steps early on that can have a huge impact in the long run. 'Take Five to Age Well is just one part of a bigger picture in Dumfries and Galloway, where we're promoting a wide range of activity through campaigns and initiatives like DG Doing More, Ageing Well, Community Appointment Days and Active Lives Pathways. 'Together, they support a more proactive approach to health and independence for our communities. 'A healthier approach to living means better quality of life, and it's likely to be key in ensuring local health and social care systems are able to meet treatment and care needs in years to come.' Take Five to Age Well has been developed by the Open University with Age UK. People can sign up for free to take part in a simple challenge throughout May. Each day they'll be asked to choose one small action in five areas – eat, drink move, connect, engage and think. Those who sign up will receive regular emails full of tops – from trying a new vegetable to standing on one leg while brushing their teeth. And people who sign up in Dumfries and Galloway will have a chance to win a three one-month pass for council leisure facilities. To be in with a chance, people must sign up for the Take Five scheme and email details of their pledge to with winners drawn by the end of May 12. Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. Lynne added: 'We're asking local organisations, groups, and individuals to help spread the word. It's free, it's easy, and it's based on sound evidence. Whatever your age, or whether just thinking about the future, this is a chance to start building habits that support physical and mental wellbeing for years to come.' The Take Five to Age Well campaign highlights how 70 to 80 per cent of the ageing process is shaped by environmental factors rather than genetics, meaning small, daily choices really do matter. It draws from academic work led by Dr Jitka Vseteckova of The Open University and builds on a successful UK-wide pilot in 2023. To sign up, click here. And more information on how to stay active in every day life is available at DG Doing More .
