“Lessons from our Native Elders”
Ensuring a successful older age is more than
eating healthy foods
With rising health care costs, many people are asking themselves, “What do I need to do to live a healthier life?” The secret to a successful, or healthy, older age can be found in some of the most remote communities in the United States. While it is easy to identify the challenges brought on by technological advances (or outside influences) in rural communities, Alaska Native elders have remained resilient in sustaining and preserving a certain kind of success crucial to the health and well-being of the community and its residents.
Currently, there is a paucity of literature and data on indigenous aging, and even less on Alaska Native elders. As more of the population reaches age 65 it will be important to begin thinking about how we are going to support these elders. Lewis’s (2009) study, which used qualitative in-depth interviews with Alaska Native elders in six rural communities, focused on successful aging and what it means to age well in Bristol Bay. His research has found themes that elders consider important to ensure a successful older age. For example, taking responsibility for one’s own health and well-being was considered most important. This was directly linked to their optimism about life, their family, the younger generation, and their community. Being available for their family and leading by example were two characteristics that are important to Native elders. Making healthy lifestyle choices, such as avoiding drugs and alcohol, eating subsistence foods, and being active as well as they were able, were other key elements to living to a healthy older age. In addition to making healthy lifestyle choices, they discussed the importance of sharing their knowledge that was taught to them and what they learned through their lifetime of experience. It is important to note that reaching a certain age, such as age 65, does not automatically define you as an “elder,” but rather living by example, sharing the wisdom and experience they gained throughout life, as well as having that wisdom acknowledged by the community.
With health care costs continuing to rise and the challenges our rural communities continue to face, it becomes more important to ensure our Native elders are supported and engaged in their community. It will be important to ensure health care resources are available in their homes and communities that will enable them to continue living healthy and productive lives, share and pass down traditional knowledge, values and language and serve as role models for the younger generations. Lewis’s study findings emphasize the importance of preventative medicine and taking our health into our own hands; our health care services need to switch from disease maintenance to prevention, especially for those who live in health care shortage areas.
Not all of us live in rural Alaskan communities, but we can learn from these simple examples of how to live a healthy and productive life and become a successful elder and role model for both our family and community.
Author contact information:
Jordan Lewis, MSW, PhD
Aleut
Research Associate
Center for Alaska Native Health Research
University of Alaska Fairbanks
240 Arctic Health Research Building
(907) 474-7334
jplewis@alaska.edu