Growing old is a part of life: growing up is optional. The old have always been a vital resource for the young. The knowledge, wisdom and experience they have gathered over the years, helps to guide their younger family and friends. While old age has long been associated with dignity, there is an increasing emphasis on freedom and on the need to enable older people to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.

The importance of eating a healthy diet has been understood for generations and the choices available have never been wider. Traditional garden staples are being used in new ways as well as old. These days potatoes are as likely to go into a curry as they are into a vegetable soup. There is also a wide choice of dried fruits from other parts of the world, such as goji berries, which are both delicious and nutritious.

Staying active is also a key part of growing old gracefully. While aging bodies may find it more difficult to cope with strenuous manual work, they still benefit from regular exercise, such as swimming or walking. Of course, it can be much pleasanter and more motivating to walk up a gentle hill than to climb up household stairs, so many people appreciate being able to discuss the options for stairlifts at Encasa Experts.

As well as keeping the body in good condition, it’s important to keep stimulating the mind. At the end of the day, it’s a muscle too. While there are many places run evening classes and other courses where older people are welcomed and encouraged, it’s also possible for older people to run classes themselves. Whether it talks about the local area or expertise in traditional craft techniques, many older people have practical knowledge and skills to pass on to the next generation.

It’s also becoming more common for older people to start second (or even third) careers, or hobby-businesses. While older people may have enjoyed satisfying jobs while they were working, it’s far from unusual for people to have a long-held wish to spend more time on a favourite activity and turn it into a business. Sometimes people feel a degree of trepidation about this, since it may involve getting to grips not only with new technology, but also with the practical aspects of running a business (such as filling in tax returns). Often these same people go on to run their own business very happily.

For those who don’t fancy running a business, there are plenty of other ways to make a