Ageing. This is the one thing that we all have in common. We all age, that’s a fact of life. However, how well we age is a product of both genetics and our environment. Healthy ageing is not just defined as the absence of illness or injury in our advancing years. It’s the way we interact with and contribute to our communities. It’s a product of our  physical, mental, and social capacity (1). 

How we age is impacted by our lifestyle choices as well as the environment that surrounds us from childhood onwards. Many serious health issues, including some chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, some types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure are all linked to lifestyle factors (2). Such factors include a lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol, and social isolation (2). Our lifestyle behaviours can compound over the years and impact on our ability to age well. But it’s never too late to start taking action. Adopting healthy behaviours from any age, even in our advancing years, can help slow the progress of chronic illness and disease and even prevent many illnesses and disabilities from occuring. 

National guidelines state that older Australians should aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise on as many days as possible. Physical activity helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, anxiety, depression, and musculoskeletal problems and enhance social connectedness by providing opportunities for social engagement (3).

How can organisations like workplaces, retirement facilities, local councils and aged care provide the environment that supports healthy ageing? Health and wellbeing initiatives in the workplace and within the community can encourage people to adopt or maintain healthy lifestyle practices, like daily exercise and movement to help support their healthy ageing.

So, what can organsations and community groups do to support healthy ageing?