The Importance of Healthy Aging

My mother inspires me. Of all the things she taught me through the years, the lesson she gifted me when she died in February of 2019 is the most powerful. The lesson I think about every day is to live until you die. I mean, really live….Not just exist. My mother was skiing at Heavenly Valley when she suffered a stroke, just a couple of weeks shy of her 80th birthday. As much as I miss her, and wish she were still here with us, I am thankful that she died in a beautiful place, with her husband and other dear friends, having fun. We should all be so lucky.

Healthy Aging allows us to reach for our best quality of life. Of course this will mean something different for everyone, but by creating and maintaining healthy life habits, we give ourselves the foundation for achieving what is important to each of us. My mother was able to truly enjoy her post-retirement years with a lot of travel and a vibrant social life with family and her friends of all ages. After a long career as an I.C.U. nurse caring for so many and working very hard, she deserved her adventures! One of her most endearing qualities was that she gave the best hugs: Her love of life and people and laughter spilled over into her wonderful warm hugs. Mom reached for what was most important to her…..and she made others feel important, too.

My mother teaches as all another benefit of healthy aging: Since Mom was a registered organ donor, she was able to gift her liver and both kidneys to others who could then have a better quality of life and more time with their loved ones. There is no age limit to being an organ donor! I encourage everyone to register and I am happy to share any information needed to better understand more about organ donation.

I know I have put more thought into what is most important to me and what it would mean to find my best quality of life. But it’s not enough to just think about it….We need to live more fully. How can I help you achieve what is most important to you?