Latest news with #activeaging
CTV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Retirement home residents make Twain tribute video ahead of Calgary Stampede
This year's Calgary Stampede parade marshal has some dedicated—and active—fans at the Whitehorn Village Retirement Home. This year's Stampede parade marshal has some big fans at a Calgary retirement home. The ladies from Whitehorn Village Retirement Home created a reel of themselves dancing to Shania Twain's music while wearing their best western wear. They also showed off their moves for CTV News on Thursday. This year's Calgary Stampede parade marshal has some dedicated—and active—fans at the Whitehorn Village Retirement Home. This year's Calgary Stampede parade marshal has some dedicated—and active—fans at the Whitehorn Village Retirement Home. The women want the video to go viral—and maybe get Twain's attention. The idea came from the facility's recreation director to stay active and have fun. 'She just asked if we'd come and do this. We're doing it for Shania Twain, to her music, and she teaches us what to do, and we just have fun doing it,' said Sharon-Ann Miner. 'None of us are always the same direction or anything, and we know that, but we're just having fun and being active and being together.' This year's Calgary Stampede parade marshal has some dedicated—and active—fans at the Whitehorn Village Retirement Home. This year's Calgary Stampede parade marshal has some dedicated—and active—fans at the Whitehorn Village Retirement Home. You can find their video on Whitehorn Village by Origin's Facebook and Instagram pages.
Washington Post
18-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Washington Post
AP lifestyles reporter explains the origins, benefits of chair yoga and its surge in popularity
WASHINGTON — Chair yoga modifies traditional yoga poses to suit older adults and those with physical limitations. But as AP Lifestyles Writer Leanne Italie explains, that doesn't mean it's any less of a workout. As older adults embrace active lifestyles, chair yoga has surged in popularity. In this episode of 'The Story Behind the AP Story,' Italie explains the origins of chair yoga, its benefits and how it works.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The champion Sheffield couple who took up running in middle age
When Gordon Fiander took up running at the age of 60, it was to join his wife Jenni in a passion that had only begun when she herself was in middle the Sheffield couple are such keen runners that they are often the fastest finishers in the over-70s categories in the local events they are members of Valley Park Runners and have told the BBC that more retired people should follow in their footsteps and remain Fiander, 71, said: "I know people who basically retire and give up everything. They sit on the sofa and die within a couple of years. Older people ought to be still working hard. That's what bodies are designed for." The pair, who worked as lecturers at Sheffield College, were always keen on the outdoors, having met an an outward bound event in their Fiander loved caving, while his wife's hobbies were fencing and was when they moved to Grenoside that Mrs Fiander, then 48, discovered the joy of running."It was getting tricky to travel to orienteering events and we'd moved here to be near the woods, so I started to get out and run to destress from work - first in the day and then at night with a head torch," she joining Valley Park Runners, she placed first in races from over 50s to husband eventually came with her on short jogs before he started going to local Parkruns and got "hooked" on running."It's amazing, it's addictive when you start going, you meet this wonderful community."Jenni finds Parkrun too short but I love it. I'm faster than her at shorter distances, but on longer distances I can't keep up." The couple regularly compete in half-marathons and fell races, and encourage those around them to enjoy the club's women's captain, Jayne Grayson, called them "inspirational"."They are amazing. They never stop giving, time and effort. Nothing's too much, they are so enthusiastic and full of energy," she pair have had many injuries to recover from over the years, including a broken leg suffered on a ski trip for Mrs Fiander, and a sore back as a legacy of her husband's caving Fiander said: "We are not normal, our friends say that but we enjoy our retirement doing active things and making memories."Right from the outset of our marriage, we were determined to make it work. It's the same dogged determination that Jenni has powering up a hill. One foot in front of another we know we'll get there!" Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Arab News
15-06-2025
- Health
- Arab News
The rise of healthy aging: a new frontier in wellness
While science and knowledge drive many trends shaping the world, these shifts are followed by social, cultural and economic changes that, in turn, affect human societies. Whether this influence begins in isolated communities or not, it ultimately leads us to the globally interconnected world we live in today, compelling us to adapt, transform and integrate with these phenomena. In recent years, the wellness industry has seen the emergence of new terms, concepts and vast untapped potential. One such concept is healthy aging, which is reshaping societal and individual consciousness. It is also transforming this demographic segment into an attractive economic market — steering capitalism toward developing comprehensive product systems for it, while enabling older adults to remain active and influential in various areas of life. This shift can impact society and national economies by enabling older people to stay healthy, productive and active, reducing the economic burden associated with healthcare, caregiving and welfare. According to UN projections, the number of people aged 65 and older worldwide will double — from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion by 2050. The population aged 80 and above is expected to grow even faster. As time passes and life expectancy increases, and as rapid technological advances continue, the need for effective solutions to support healthier aging is becoming more urgent among these growing population segments. This trend does not originate from top-down societal or governmental vision and planning. Rather, it stems from a personal and individual perspective — growing awareness among people who increasingly prioritize their well-being and longevity. This awareness has developed over the years due to multiple factors, including technological and societal progress, the effects of globalization and the impact of pandemics. This article explores the evolving landscape of healthy aging and highlights the key factors that contribute to a fulfilling and vibrant later life. Healthy aging refers to the process of maintaining and enhancing functional capacity — relative to one's age — that supports well-being in older age. It goes beyond the mere absence of disease and includes the promotion of physical, mental and social health. The core components of healthy aging include physical health, such as maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise and managing chronic diseases; mental health, which involves supporting cognitive function, managing stress and promoting emotional well-being; and social connections, through meaningful relationships and active participation in community life to strengthen social support. It also includes finding purpose and engagement, whether through work, volunteering or hobbies that bring a sense of fulfillment; and lastly, access to care — ensuring that older adults benefit from healthcare, social services and supportive environments. Overall, healthy aging promotes a holistic approach to improving quality of life as people grow older. One of the most important drivers of this trend is the shift in perspective — from merely preventing disease to enhancing effectiveness and life satisfaction. The concept of healthy aging now goes beyond avoiding age-related illnesses; it embraces a holistic approach that prioritizes both physical and mental health, fosters a sense of purpose and encourages active engagement with life. This shift reflects a growing recognition that a long life is only truly valuable when it is also healthy and fulfilling. Specialized studies also indicate that social relationships and emotional engagement are key contributors to this growing trend. A recent study by the McKinsey Health Institute, which surveyed more than 21,000 people aged 55 and older across 21 countries, revealed a common thread: Purpose, social connection and independence are the most important factors for a positive aging experience. The study found that people who maintain a sense of purpose, manage stress effectively and nurture meaningful relationships tend to report higher levels of overall well-being. Mental and spiritual health also play a significant role in this trend. While physical health tends to decline with age, the study revealed that mental and spiritual well-being often remain strong. In fact, among those aged 65 and older, spiritual health emerged as the most positive dimension of overall well-being. This suggests that inner peace, personal growth and a sense of connection to something greater than oneself can deeply enrich life in later years. The survey further highlighted the impact of economic status and community involvement on well-being. Interestingly, people in low- and middle-income economies generally reported better overall health than those in high-income countries. However, among people in high-income economies, those actively engaged in work, volunteering or community activities reported higher levels of well-being — highlighting the importance of purpose and social contribution in healthy aging. This suggests that meaningful community engagement can significantly enhance the aging experience, regardless of economic status. The survey also found that volunteering, in particular, had a notably positive impact on future health, highlighting the importance of contributing to society and maintaining a sense of purpose — even after retirement. Founded in 2018 and officially inaugurated in 2022, the Saudi Hevolution Foundation is the world's largest organization dedicated to healthy aging. Operating under the direct supervision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the foundation has an annual budget of $1 billion to support research and develop treatments aimed at extending healthy lifespans. It funds research projects lasting two to five years, with up to $1 million in support per project, and invests in biotechnology with contributions of up to $20 million. So far, the foundation has backed 25 projects within Saudi Arabia and 225 international initiatives in the same field. To create a world where everyone can age healthier and happier, a collaborative effort is required — from regulators, communities, and investors — to meet the needs of older adults and help them lead fulfilling lives. This includes promoting a positive view of aging, not as a passive end-of-life stage, but as a meaningful chapter of continued growth, engagement and purpose. It is essential to challenge and reverse the outdated stereotype of aging as a time of decline. Instead, aging should be seen as a phase rich with opportunities to learn, contribute and pass on knowledge to younger generations — building a more developed and forward-looking society that does not repeat the same patterns with each generation. Complementary medicine also plays a supportive role in healthy aging, contributing to prevention and improved quality of life through safe, natural treatments. This aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader vision of becoming a leading destination for global health tourism. Ultimately, by adopting a comprehensive and inclusive approach to healthy aging, we can build a world where everyone has the chance to live a long, healthy and fulfilling life. • Saad Majdy Baslom has more than 10 years' experience in health tourism, wellness services, management, regulation and policy as a technical affairs director in complementary medicine. He holds a leadership and management certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a doctorate in traditional Chinese medicine, and master's degrees in Chinese herbology and acupuncture.
The Guardian
14-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
‘Tennis repairs you': the 101-year-old fuelled by iced coffee who still plays competitively
Henry Young doesn't mind being asked about his secret to a long, active life – it comes with the territory when you're a 101-year-old competitive tennis player. It has its perks, like getting to play on centre court during the Australian Open, but what he does mind is that it's considered so remarkable that he is playing at all. That he is seen as extraordinary and there must be some magic trick that keeps him going. 'What bugs me is that people give up their tennis when they have some kind of injury,' Young says. 'I'm a monument to the medical profession because I've had so many injuries and I just persevere, and then tennis repairs you.' Just as a sore calf doesn't have to mean the end of the road for a runner, or a pulled hamstring signal the end of a football career, Young wishes the prospect of injury didn't deter older people from playing sport. But staring down the barrel of a long rehabilitation process can be daunting, and returning to sport and exercise after injury undeniably gets harder as you age, so an ever-increasing amount of determination is required each time. This is not something Young is lacking. 'Two new knees, a new hip, pacemaker for my heart, hearing aids in one ear and a cochlear implant in the other and two broken noses,' he says. 'You just can't keep a good man down.' Young's doggedness is key to playing for so long – he just can't stop, it's not in his nature. Tennis has featured in Young's life since school, along with rugby and then squash during his time as a fighter pilot in the New Zealand navy. But when he returned to work on the land in South Australia after the second world war, he could only pick up a racket a few times a year. It wasn't until Young was 70 and retired that tennis became such a big part of his life. Winding around War Memorial Drive in Adelaide 30 years ago, he passed the tennis club with a billboard out front saying 'good tennis players wanted' and thought he'd have a crack. 'They said, 'you have to get tennis lessons unless you belong to a tennis club,' and I didn't want to take lessons,' Young says. So he made up a club. 'I said that I belonged to the Inglewood Tennis Club. [Inglewood] was the name of a neighbouring property where we used to play tennis. And they took it.' As Young had suspected, he played well enough to satisfy the recruiters at Memorial Drive so no lessons were required. 'That's when it started,' he says. 'And I'm competitive so I started really playing, and making it my sport, which it still is.' Now a centenarian with three decades of competitive tennis under his belt, Young is preparing for the ITF Masters Championships in Croatia in October. He plays three to four times a week, often with his friend and sometimes doubles partner Gerry Prideaux, and spends a little time in the gym at his retirement complex. That training regime is about to diversify further. 'I've bought myself a rowing machine,' Young says. 'I've set it up next to the window … so every morning I'm going to do 20 minutes rowing in the Adelaide hills.' Young made history in 2023 as the first 100-year-old to play in the World Masters Individual Championships. 'It's only recently that they've started to make it a bit easier for me,' he says. 'I used to have to play down in the 80-year-olds [age category]. But then they made it 85, now they've got the 90s, and some of the countries are even going to 95.' He's sure it won't be long before there are enough players over 100 to have their own age group too. 'I'm doing my little bit to persuade people to keep on trying, because we're all living longer these days.' Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion Young is happy to share his advice for staying healthy as you age and swears by 'wholesome thoughts' and a balanced diet with a twist. 'I watch my diet, and part of my diet is that I drink three two-litre [cartons] of Farmers Union iced coffee every week,' he says. His attachment to iced coffee is so strong that he's always itching to get back home to it when he travels interstate. The coffee is the outlier in an otherwise fairly standard menu. 'I like everything, I like my meat and my fish and vegetables … I make sure that I get that full variety,' he says. 'I snack on nuts during the day and I've got my iced coffee, and that really keeps me fit.' However, Young's number one tip for people of any age is no secret at all. 'I would encourage everybody to play tennis,' he says, claiming the medical profession supports his view that it's the best ball sport for you. 'In tennis, win or lose, you gain something. It's very nice to be able to say to the man at the other end of the tennis court, 'it was a good win, but you had to work for it,' and you both laugh. They're the ones that you remember, the games that you really had to fight for, and that's competition … it's good for you.'
