Want some advice on ageing well?

Posted: July 12, 2026

AT A  recent “Health and Wellbeing” roadshow in Sevenoaks, for some reason I was directed to a presentation on “Ageing Well”. Once I got over my indignation, I learned a lot. There’s so much help and advice out there if you know where to look. Your local council and NHS Trust will have interesting and practical links.

And our friends at AGE UK have developed programmes to help the oldies to live well and longer, including:

Stay active – and start now! The good news is that it’s never too late to start. When it comes to physical activity, small changes in later life can lead to major benefits down the road.

Prioritise yourself – It’s unsurprising that staying active often falls by the wayside. But as the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Regular activity is great for our bodies, now and in the future, and it’s also good for our minds, reducing the risk of stress, depression and anxiety. The better we feel, the more we’re able to do –for ourselves and for others.

Make movement part of your everyday life – Movement is our secret weapon to staying strong. There’s no need for marathons or gym memberships (unless that’s your thing) – every bit of activity counts, from walking the dog to mowing the lawn. One of the best ways to get more movement back into your life is to replace time you’d usually spend not moving much with small chunks of activity. This might look like: taking the stairs over the lift; parking the car further from your destination to get some steps in; setting regular reminders to stand, stretch and move around if you work at a desk, or sit on the sofa watching TV for long periods.

Focus on strength and balance – Strength and balance are key to ageing well. Prioritising these helps maintain independence and can prevent falls later on.

Think functional fitness – Functional fitness involves movements that help your body lift things, push and pull, squat down and get back up again, twist and balance. It helps with co-ordination and flexibility, and works to target your whole body rather than just one or two muscle groups.

Get active with others – Whether you grab a takeaway coffee and go for a weekly walk with a friend, or join a local sports club or class, making movement something sociable that you look forward to is a great way to embed it into your life. There are benefits for your mental health and wellbeing too. Group activities don’t just keep you moving – they keep you connected, and research shows that the quality of our connections influences how well we age.

Maintain your independence– As we get older, it’s natural (and kind!) for other people to want to make our lives easier, whether that’s carrying our bags or giving up their seat on public transport. But actually, it can be good to keep doing as much for ourselves as we can, for as long as we can.

Thank you AGE UK! For more information, click this link: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/ You can also input your postcode to find out local services and health and wellbeing advice on such as Arts & Crafts; Bridge group; Coffee mornings; Friendship clubs; Men in Sheds; Photography club; Pub lunches; Quizzes; Tea dances.

Image: PublicDomainPictures