My academic background is more than ten years in clinical medicine. By some chance, ten years ago, I was admitted to a Master’s program — Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands.
Honestly, I didn’t find this program relevant or attractive to me personally then. As the first Chinese international student, I was more excited about the opportunity of studying in the Netherlands, a well-developed European country, than the program itself.
When I returned to China three years ago, I suddenly realized that my parents were not as “young” as before. A ten-year period has changed my parents’ physical energy significantly.
Aging is reversible. Yet, I believe anyone can learn how to live a healthy aging life regardless of which life state you’re in now. So, I became motivated to re-study this subject — healthy aging. I was just a previous student ten years ago. But I hope what I share in this article will also provide valuable information for everyone in need.
My first impression of the program — Vitality and Ageing
With a background in clinical medicine, I thought it was about some disease treatment study program for the elderly.
However, based on my limited clinical medicine experience, it was unexpected. It’s not about curing a disease but about living healthy lives for the elderly.
“As an academic knowledge institute, Leyden Academy conducts scientific research on various topics focussed upon vitality and ageing. We use a multi-disciplinary approach and combine biological, sociological, anthropological, psychological, economic and/or medical perspectives.
We conduct our research within three focus areas: Vital, Meaningful and Connected. Within ‘Vital’, we aim to gain a better understanding of the ageing process in order to empower people to grow old in a healthy and active manner. Within ‘Meaningful’, we conduct research and initiate projects aimed at the needs and desires of older people so they can live their live as they choose, at home and in care facilities. Our research activities within ‘Connected’ focus on the image of the elderly and ageing and on the value of intergenerational contact.”
The talk between my mother and me about aging and energy
As I said in the beginning, I didn’t realize the aging until I saw my parents again after several years of life abroad.
In my memory, they were always energetic — behaving and acting no less than me and my two older brothers. But now I have to admit that they are part of the elderly population in China.
To inspire my mom to enjoy her life more, I kept encouraging my mom to feel young and not to be restricted by her age by sharing some good examples with her.
When Michelle Yeoh won Best Actress at the Oscars this year at 60, I told my 67-year-old mom, “Michelle is still so energetic and enthusiastic for her work at this age. So you’re not too old.” My mom replied, “60 years old is not old. I still feel tons of energy at that age, but the energy decreased dramatically after 65 years old.”
From that chat, I understand that my mom is not afraid of aging but is aware of the effect of aging on her body physically. She said, “I don’t worry about the day when I cannot walk—just living in the presence. Make one day as one day. Don’t overthink.” I’m grateful for the life wisdom my mom holds. I thought she might be living miserably with the aging process. No. She is okay with how life unfolds and progresses. And she is the one helping herself to live a good life.
My mom is very much aware that if she stops moving around doing house chores every day, her body and mind will become old more quickly. That’s why she still makes herself busy daily as a housewife and helps my older brother care for their kids. As long as she enjoys her day, I’m happy for her, too.
The healthcare market for the elderly
So far, the best way to help people live a good and healthy old life is to combine it with business. At least, that’s from my point of view based on my previous experience and current knowledge.
As an ex-medical doctor with several years of software development, I embrace any thought of creating services for older people. For example, my ex-colleague, a Dutch tech guy, has been developing Healthy Chronos, an app service for Chronic diseases of the elderly in the Netherlands (his LinkedIn profile). That’s a great startup project based in a country with an advanced healthcare system.
My Dutch colleague’s startup company resonates with my ex-education background at Leiden University in the Netherlands. I probably should do something (actualities rather than ideology) by leveraging the strengths and resources that I access.
Since last month, writing some articles on Medium and syncing them with the URBESTH website has been very practical and a good start. You never know tomorrow. There may be meaningful collaboration on exciting projects about healthy aging.
Could we slow down the decline rate of our energy as we age?
I hope we can offer some insights in the following content about the Healthy Aging series.
This blog was originally published on Medium. You can read the full article here: How to Age Well: Vitality and Ageing.
