Health Nuggets

September is Health Aging Month.

Have you heard the term “healthy aging”?  While aging naturally brings changes to our bodies and minds, there are many things we can do to support our health, well-being, and quality of life as we grow older.  Healthy aging doesn’t start at retirement; it starts with the choices we make today.  It encompasses maintaining and improving physical, mental, spiritual, financial and social health. (U of M extension August 2026).  Thinking about healthy aging can begin at any age, it isn’t about turning back the clock; it’s about making the most of every year ahead.

We can take purposeful, proactive steps throughout life to maintain physical, mental, and social well-being as we grow older.  These steps include staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, getting regular preventive healthcare, managing stress, maintaining meaningful social connections, getting adequate sleep, and addressing health concerns early.  Aging proactively also means planning for changing needs including financial needs, staying informed about personal health, and making choices that support independence and quality of life.  By focusing on prevention and healthy habits rather than waiting for health problems to arise, individuals can improve their ability to remain active, independent, and engaged as they age.

The University of Minnesota Extension is offering a series of Healthy Aging webinars throughout September, covering topics ranging from financial health, brain health, nutrition and food safety, physical safety and independent living, and relationships and community building to what healthy aging looks like. 

Some of the classes offered, and there are many, include: “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate,” “Brain Health Awareness: How Small Lifestyle Changes Can Have a Big Impact,” and “Grandparenting in the Age of Overindulgence,” just to name a few.  If you cannot attend the webinars, they also offer resources that can be accessed at any time. 

**Check them out, there’s so much valuable information to help us all age with dignity, confidence, and grace. https://extension.umn.edu/home/healthy-aging-month

Aging is not simply about adding years to life, it is about making the most of those years and continuing to find purpose, joy, and fulfillment at every stage of life.

Submitted by: North Country Community Health Services and Beltrami County Community Health Services- www.ncchb.org or www.co.beltrami.mn.us/services/public-health/ or find us on Facebook-North Country Community Health Services

(Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard and Lake of the Woods Public Health)