Exercise, healthy diets key to healthier ageing, experts say

Health experts say many of the conditions associated with ageing can be prevented, managed or delayed through simple lifestyle changes, including physical activity, proper nutrition, adequate sleep and maintaining social connections.

Speaking at Zetech University’s Mang’u campus in Juja, Kiambu County, during celebrations of International Day of Older Persons in conjunction with the Institute of Ageing Studies, experts led by Kinuthia Wamwangi, 77, Zetech VC Prof. Njenga Munene and Dr Joseph Gichui emphasised that older people should take greater responsibility for their health instead of relying entirely on their children, especially as families become increasingly separated by work and migration.

They noted that changing family structures and increased migration mean many elderly people can no longer expect their children to be physically available to take care of them.

VC Munene noted that some children work in other parts of the country or abroad, making it difficult for them to provide day-to-day support to their ageing parents.

Wamwangi noted that regular physical activity had become part of his own routine, recalling that he used to walk about eight kilometres every day when he was younger.

He has since been advised to focus on about 40 minutes of vigorous walking rather than concentrating solely on the distance covered.

On his part, Dr. Gichui said older people should be enabled to live full and productive lives, noting that lifestyle-related illnesses including diabetes and hypertension are among the major health challenges affecting the elderly.

He said regular exercise, healthy eating and maintaining social connections could help prevent or manage some of these conditions while improving overall wellbeing.

He particularly warned about the complications associated with poorly controlled diabetes.

The experts therefore urged older people to incorporate manageable physical activities such as walking into their daily routines, alongside eating balanced diets and getting adequate rest.

They also stressed the importance of social interaction, saying isolation can affect the mental and emotional wellbeing of older people.

The experts said ageing should not automatically translate into inactivity or dependence, with older people encouraged to remain physically and socially active while seeking medical care when necessary.

They noted that although some elderly people eventually require significant assistance because of illness or disability, maintaining healthy habits earlier in life can help reduce the burden of lifestyle diseases and preserve independence in old age.

During the celebrations, tens of elderly persons participated in cycling, playing walking ball, netball, dancing, among other activities.

They also benefited from free medical check-ups provided by medics from various hospitals and enjoyed free haircuts, manicure and pedicure services, among others.