I meet lots of elderly people in my daily travels as a urologist. Two days ago I met a delightful 92 year old gent who was having some waterworks problems and was not on a single medication. That’s pretty unusual.

Any time I meet someone in their 80’s or 90’s who is in particularly good health, I always remark, “you’re in great health and what have you done to keep yourself in such good nick?” He replied, “whisky and walking!” Great reply, but there’s some truth in this. Beyond a certain age, there’s no doubt that walking is the best exercise. It maintains endurance, strengthens cardiorespiratory fitness, keeps the weight in check, and also reduces the risk of falls by improving balance.

He was a keen golfer and played a weekly game of golf at Box Hill. And him and his wife would head to the hills and enjoy beautiful country hikes. What about the whiskey?! Well, usually he’d get home from work and after settling in, he’d have a small peg of whiskey. Occasionally he might have two, but it was always in moderation.

And that’s the key. Moderation. Over the years, I’ve met just as many moderate individuals who have lived to a healthy ripe old age as I have extreme “purists” who have succumbed to premature illness.

Worth pondering!

In Health and Wellness