Every indication from both the Obama administration and the Republican leadership is that both sides will avoid any reference to cutting back Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. In other words, “kick the can” remains Washington’s favorite exercise.
The tragedy is that aging well is not rocket science. But it does require a shift from total reliance on sicknesscare (reactive) to personal responsibility and self-care (proactive)
“Republicans said Obama had met his debt-reduction goals with tax increases and accounting gimmicks while ignoring the massive cost increases that act like a tidal wave as our population ages," reports Lori Montgomery in the Washington Post on Monday. “This budget marks the second year in a row Obama has ignored calls to restructure Social Security and Medicare entitlement programs,” she points out. (Note: So have all his predecessors since FDR.
What does this all have to do with fitness?
Aging demographics and related morbidity/mortality trends overwhelmingly dictate a massive increase in the percentage of older Americans. All morbidity and mortality data confirm this population to be among the most obese and inactive in human history. The tragedy is that aging well is not rocket science. But it does require a shift from total reliance on sicknesscare (reactive) to personal responsibility and self-care (proactive).
Physical inactivity and the obesity it causes are best "exercised" by each citizen. These two risk factors are outside the current sicknesscare system’s capacity to respond. The evidence of this observation rests with the facts documented by our highest level of federal, state and local public health services. They have repeatedly warned us of this crisis for well over a quarter century.
The warning is over folks; the “age wave” has hit the beach. And as a nation we are paying the price for ignoring our public school health and physical educaiton programs. If we led the world in illiteracy and discovered no one was teaching reading in our schools, would anyone be surprised?
The facts are that older Americans have been conditioned from birth to rely on our sicknesscare industry. This in spite of all public health warnings from the nation’s highest authorities, urging them to lose fat, build muscle and get at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity three or more times a week. Geriatric physiology has proven these three factors can significantly reduce the onset and severity of a host of debilitating condition that most peope consider to be the normal ravages of aging. They're not!
In fact, the science of aging long ago that established appropriate and regular exercise — especially flexibility and strength conditioning — can greatly enhance mobility, joint range of motion, balance, and endurance. With these changes come renewed confidence, self-esteem, a reduction in falls and, of course, enhanced confidence and self-esteem.
If we led the world in illiteracy and discovered no one was teaching reading in our schools, would anyone be surprised?
The nature of time-related degenerative disease (chronic) has been well documented to respond best to low-cost, early rehabilitation and corrective programs led by trained geriatric fitness professionals. These programs can be easily delivered through inexpensive community based and in-home services. Ideally, Americans would acquire this knowledge and skill in early life (think school physical education programs) and practice what they've leaned until the end of life.
Today, most advanced industrial nations stand on the edge of uncertainty. A significant part of their population will live longer than ever, but not necessarily better due to the unnecessary onset of chronic illness. The choice is to stay the course to premature dependency and dispair, or to provide programs and incentives to renew that commitment to living well in the later years.
As the founder of the American Heart Association and public health advocate Dr. Paul Dudley White liked to tell his audiences: “We must teach our citizens to exercise from the cradle to the grave!”
Modern communication and educational technology is now available to provide low-cost in-home services directly to consumers that provide age and condition- specific activities with the support of appropriate medical protocols and activity prescriptions that are serviced by low-cost but adequately trained associates. Eveyone has an interest in this fight: the elderly, those who intend to be elderly, business, industry, as well as all levels of government. All we need is to rally the troops to join us in the battle!
In the meantime, we'll keep you posted on news from the front lines.