The Secrets of Healthy Aging

Healthy aging requires pro-active effort on multiple fronts – social, exercise, physical and mental activity. ‘Ageing is a privilege denied to many -- cherish every moment’ seems to be the motto of some senior people we spoke to on Senior Citizens Day.

We asked some people a few questions and got a varied set of responses. Clearly there are many roads to healthy ageing. 

Roopa Ghosh (70)

I cycle on a blue gearless, step through bike every morning, for 30 to 60 minutes, I go to the gym for an hour, 5 days a week, I do daily vegetable and fish shopping, I clean up my own room and bathroom. I play golf 2-3 times a week. I travel a lot. I drive. I listen to all kinds of music. I chat with my friends all the time.

Drinking 3-4 liters of water, green veg smoothies, good food, cycling, singing, dancing and exercise helps me stay healthy. I need to keep cycling for knee strength since I travel to Europe and use a cycle there.

I am very familiar with technology. I use apps for online shopping (Amazon), mails, teaching assistance, WhatsApp, FB, Instagram etc. I use UPI for payments and book cinema tickets online. Plus, games of course.

Brain exercises I do: Wordle, Strands, Squareword, Spaceword, Waffle, Connections, Quordle, online bridge and FreeCell.

I rate myself a 9...... not 10 as I should lose weight according to my pedometer.

Nothing about the future concerns me really. I take each day as it comes.

My motivation: My daily routine and the knowledge that I can be useful plus enjoy myself. Life is beautiful.

Rita Sarkar (62)

I keep myself engaged by doing daily chores at home like cooking, washing, taking care of my cats, feeding them, cleaning their litter boxes also looking after the fish in my aquarium.

I don't follow a regular diet, but I do skip breakfast. I have my fruits and green tea. I have lunch by 1.30 pm and finish my dinner by 7.30 pm. For lunch I have proper rice, dal, protein and keep my dinner light with chapatis and some vegetable or non-vegetable item.

I am quite familiar with technology. I use WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, ChatGPT, Amazon and I also play games on apps.

I play games such as Word connect, Mahjong, Snakes and ladders, Candy Crush, Subway ride.
I’m an avid golfer and play golf almost daily. I go to the gym. I do yoga and go for walks when not playing. I rescue animals that need neutering or are injured. Am learning to play the piano. I love driving which I learnt quite recently.

I would rate myself 8 out of 10. Because now I have some back pain issues. But overall, I’m fit and fine.

I am just worried about age related issues coming up. Since with age our body does not act as when young. I would like to be able to play my favorite game golf as long as I can.

I try and be happy, be healthy and help rescue animals as much as I can. And always try to be positive in life. As we all have one life to live.

Shubhojit Kumar Ganguly (61)

I keep myself busy with reading, cooking, running the house, spending time with friends, relatives, watching films, tv, theatre, visiting art exhibitions, being engaged on social media, repairing & building household items, teaching & consulting. Looking after my fish aquariums, plants.

To keep myself healthy: Walking, yoga, solving sudoku, writing.

Quite familiar with technology. And I use most of the apps which are required, like Whatsapp, Facebook, Online ordering, Gpay etc.

I use most social media as well as electronic mail & telephone.

I play Sudoku.

I enjoy reading and watching movies and plays, and I try to follow all my interests.

I would rate myself 8/10. I have hypertension.

I do worry about finance. Though health is not much of a concern.

Rekha Wagle (78)

I’m very interested in cooking. I’m also busy with my Gita classes, I study that, I write notes. I’m also very dedicated to Sai Baba. These things keep me engaged.

I exercise, walk. To keep myself healthy when I meet my friends I talk to them. They give me so much joy, that itself keeps me healthy.

I use iPad, I use the zoom on the phone to attend my Gita classes. I use Gpay for money transfer. I play Solitaire. I’m comfortable with the apps I use, but I’m not an expert with any.

Solitaire is a kind of brain exercise for me. I’m not so much interested in other puzzles.

I will rate myself 5. Every day I find some or other pain in the body. But I stay positive always.

I’m a very social person. Even wishing people Good Morning, that keeps me motivated. I like meeting people, I’m very social. My sisters are here. I enjoy meeting them. That keeps me motivated.

Shakuntala Mohan Kittur (79)

To keep myself healthy I go for walks, and I go for yoga and gym as well.

I like to learn new things in technology. I use You tube, Facebook, sometimes Instagram too. Also, I use ChatGPT and Gpay.

I like to play Scrabble

I like music. So, every day I try to practice without fail and I try to sing in different languages. I go for music classes, I look after

the house and I look after my two granddaughters.

I think it should be 8 on a scale of 10. I am satisfied with my mental and physical health

I love and enjoy early morning walks that keep me motivated

Gita Kantawala (80)

I swim, walk and exercise to keep myself healthy

I’m fairly familiar with the apps on the phone. I play games such as free cell, solitaire, mahjong and ludo on the I pad. I use WhatsApp and email. And I also go through You tube and Facebook. I play word games and Origami to keep myself active.

I am learning to sing

I rate my health as 7/10. I try not to pay too much attention to old age maladies.

I worry about rising prices and AI and the misuse of technology

I take each day as it comes.

As told to Moyna Sen and Smita Kumar Vyas