Optimal Aging Requirements, Research Paper Example

As I see it, the term “optimal aging” refers to doing certain things that help to slow down the aging process in order to live a longer and healthier life. Dalgaard and  Strulik (2010) support this definition by stating that optimal aging refers to influencing the speed of aging “by making appropriate investments” or wise health choices as health investments in the future. From a biopsychosocial viewpoint, optimal aging can be achieved by adhering to a well-balanced diet free of preservatives and chemicals and which promotes healthy cell growth and development via antioxidants and vitamins; maintaining a positive mental outlook on life and refraining from the excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs (or the complete elimination of them); and living in a social environment that encourages optimal aging.

In addition, Schulz and Heckhausen point out that as a term, optimal aging is a variant of what is known as successful aging, usually found in individuals that exhibit “little or no loss in function relative to the average of their younger counterparts,” a sort of biophysosocial utopia that occurs “under development-enhancing and age friendly environmental conditions” (1996, p. 702).

On a personal level, although I totally agree with the concept of optimal aging and attempt to practice what Dalgaard and  Strulik (2010) refer to as “appropriate investments” or biopsychosocial choices related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle on a daily basis, I feel that optimal aging has much to do with heredity and genetics. As Schulz and Heckhausen declares, “the capacity to achieve extraordinary levels of

functioning in a given domain” or environment “may be constrained by the genetic makeup of an individual” (1996, p. 704), an indication that trying to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, such as eating right, keeping a positive attitude about life, and doing everything feasible to maintain this lifestyle in a social setting, may not be enough. Of course, it cannot hurt, but as Schulz and Heckhausen remind us, individuals need to “test the waters” as the old saying goes “with adequate opportunities to test out their genetic potential” (1996, p. 704) in relation to living a healthy lifestyle which hopefully will result in optimal aging.

Overall, I would say that I have succeeded quite a bit in meeting my definition of optimal aging, i.e., to do whatever I can to slow down the aging process. Most of this success is in maintaining a healthy diet (the biological aspect) by consuming more fruit and vegetables, less red meat, less alcohol, and especially avoiding fast food. Psychologically, I have managed to convince myself that living this type of a lifestyle is far superior to that practiced by most individuals, considering the almost epidemic proportions of obesity. I have also managed to alter several of my personality traits, such as being less nervous and concerned about getting older, becoming more of an introvert as opposed to my natural inclination for being an extrovert, and being less open to suggestions that might interfere with my optimal aging program. However, I still tend to socialize with individuals who do not practice optimal aging techniques, something that is difficult to overcome because of the nature of today’s society. I am also attempting to create a broader social network made up of people who share my ideas about optimal aging, perhaps by volunteering in my community.

As to the future, the only change that I plan on making is to socialize more often with those who understand and appreciate the concept of optimal aging, meaning that as Aldwin, Park, and Spiro point out, the aging process is moderated by many psychosocial factors like personality, mental health, a sense of self-control, coping mechanisms, and social support from one’s family and peers (2006, p. 415). In essence, I plan to do whatever it takes to slow down the aging process, and if I am lucky, I might become for my age one of the few individuals to decrease my mortality rate. According to Robson and Kaplan, although I am not nine years old, if mortality rates did not increase with age, “2% of the population of nine year olds would live to almost 30,000 years of age” (2006).

References

Aldwin, C.M., Park, C.L., & Spiro, A. (2006). Health psychology and aging. Retrieved from http://www.bu.edu/lab/files/2011/10/Aldwin_Park_Spiro_2007.pdf

Dalgaard, C., & Strulik, H. (2010). Optimal aging and death. Program on the global democracy of aging. Retrieved from http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/pgda/WorkingPapers/2010/PGDA_WP_58.pdf

Robson, A.J., & Kaplan, H.S. (2006). Why do we die? Economics, biology and aging. Retrieved from http://www.sfu.ca/~robson/WDWD.pdf

Schulz, R., & Heckhausen, J. (1996). A lifespan model of successful aging. American Psychologist, (51)7, 702-714. Retrieved from http://www.ucsur.pitt.edu/files/schulz/amerpsycholschulzheckhausen96.pdf