Age Esteem begins when we are children.  Research at Yale University and the American Institute on Aging indicate that the attitude that we have towards age and older people as children influences how we ourselves age.  Children who are raised with a positive attitude and relationship towards older people age better and more healthfully and tend to live longer.

The relationships we have with older people, the language we hear others use to describe older people, and the images that we see illustrating older people will impact our whole life and even contribute to our longevity.

Age esteemers have a positive attitude toward aging.  They embrace it with age esteem.  Age esteemers value, admire and respect age and tend to live longer, happier lives.

Bonnie Fatio

It always puts a smile on my face to see fields of sunflowers in bloom.  They have such a generous attitude.  The sunflower not only shares its beauty as it lifts its face to the sun as though laughing with joy.  – It also provides a landing field for all kinds of airborne insects from bumble bee to butter fly who in turn spread the flower’s pollen.

This is easily understood by people with age esteem.  Age-esteemers also have an attitude of generosity.

• They focus their thoughts on the sunshine, the positive.
• They shine with inner beauty.
• They share their joy of living, and
• They spread their pollen of wisdom.

Bonnie Fatio

The sunflower is beautiful! – Not because it is perfect, but because it shines with a natural beauty both in the sunshine and the shade.  In fact, the sunflower brightens any setting.  It raises its head with confidence and brings a happy glow to the world.

Age-esteemers bring their happy glow to the world as well, as they find ways to brighten the days of others.

Bonnie Fatio

Many parts of the world are experiencing an important heat wave which promises to last.  Such intense heat can seriously affect your health and it is important to take precautions.

The 2003 heat wave provoked thousands of deaths in France, especially among older people who lived alone.  A heat wave has hit Europe again this year and governments are taking precautions to inform people of measures to take for their health.

As Age Esteemers is important for each of us to respect the negative effects that prolonged heat has on our bodies and to take our own precautions.  We are in control.

• Keep physical activity to a minimum between 11am and 9pm.
• Drink at least 1 1/2 liters (1.59 quarts) of liquid daily, especially water but also teas and diluted fruit juices.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeinated and sweetened drinks since they increase dehydration.
• Stay in an area that is cool or air conditioned at least 2 hours during the day and take cool showers.