Aging

It means getting older.  It is a time-related process. It is irreversible. It is inevitable. It means that it is one-directional. They say that time is most powerful. Course of time cannot be fully controlled. The moment one has come to life, one has essentially started aging. It effects living creatures and also non-living objects. It is true that impact of time on a living creature and an inanimate object can be quite different.  Aging does not affect only human beings. It impacts animals and plants.

Aging implies a negative feeling mixed with various forms of insecurity in mind.  It can by triggered by fear due to age-related health issues, dependency, financial insecurity and the like.  All of this surrounds one and the only compulsion of ‘not being physically able to remain active’ as one had been almost all through life. It implies inability to earn as well.  Mental debility also accompanies decreasing physical stamina and agility.  Even though one may have financial security, and it is expected that one must have, it is not going to fully support one if health conditions are dwindling.

In short, health is at the very centre of this discussion on aging. It is not just physical health that matters. One is expected to be emotionally balanced and stable. Emotional wellness depends on relationship with family members, relatives and friends. If there is support from all such members, one may have strength to pass the advanced age comfortably. Worst expected may come by if one loses the life partner. This is a no-repairable damage and it is not possible to mend it. One has to just take this as it is.

Which are the health conditions that one may face at an advanced age?  This may help one to take possible precautions and if possible, to even prevent them well in advance.  Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease etc. are some of the common health problems that one may be affected with at old age.   

Yoga at an advanced age:  Yoga is an ancient science. It is broad-based. It covers almost all aspects of human life. In other words, it has an integrated approach. It does not see life, living and health in an isolation. It speaks of personal physical health, mental health, social health, moral health, environmental health, financial health, political health and also spiritual health. All aspects of life effect a human being.  

Spiritual health too matters a lot during aging.  What is spiritual health?  Simply put, it stands for living in high spirit. Staying strong and elevated in energy and spirit. This can be built into a habit. Thus, even in challenging times, one can face and pass across the odds with least or no damage done. By practice of meditation, one can develop strong inner spirit. There are various popular techniques of meditation in circulation. All of them should be valid.  One may stick to just one technique in a consistent manner to reap benefits.

It is also possible to sit and breath very slowly, or watch flow of breath. This also works just as meditation. Option is open for saying prayers as per one’s inclination.  Power of prayer is proven. This too can help.  Chanting OM is also a good option. Singing and listening to devotional singing can bring in good lot of pacification to mind.

Over a period of practice, one will take the process of aging as an inevitable reality and will not try to resist it. Life is a journey. One starts it to finish it.  This reality has to be accepted and welcomed.  It is another matter what for one has come to life, what is the purpose of life, why people suffer and there are many theories on the same.  Even learning all of these great lessons and also application of the same, one may not get rid of aging. 

 

 

Graceful aging

It means to face the aging process without or least suffering.  If one can age without suffering from any illness or negligible illness or physical debility, it is certainly a graceful experience.  It is necessary to have strong financial support.  This would certainly be considered an ideal condition and very much desirable by all.  However, it demands fulfilment of many conditions. There should be emotional and moral support coming from family members, relatives and close friends. 

In recent times, it has been noticed that there are many old-age homes being raised by various religious, charitable and social institutions.  This is a great relief, especially for those who have meagre support or none and those who are badly in need.  Some of these are free of cost and some are charging reasonable or minimum cost.  Almost all of them provide medical assistance on call.

Due to various factors such as social shifting to micro families,

Note: It is also noticed that in recent years, the Government of India has launched various financial and health schemes for senior citizens.  This is too late and inadequate.  Many developed nations provide complete financial cover for all needs for elderly people. It is also true that many philanthropic organisations are doing good work in raising medical facilities and establishing shelters for elderly people.