Crystal Ball Forecasts a Future of Aches and Pains, Less-active Lifestyles for Canadians
| Toronto – In a recent national survey, adult Canadians cited pain and physical limitations, lack of time, and lack of money as the three main barriers to a healthy, active lifestyle.
The research shows that we know being active is important to being healthy – but we’re not good at doing what we know we should. This could be, at least in part, because 10 million of us live with chronic or recurrent pain. Spearheaded by a task force of the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA), CARP Canada’s Association for the 50+, and Patient Partners in Arthritis, the research examined Canadians’ feelings and perceptions about active living. |
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The research also showed that more than 8.5 million Canadians expect to be less physically active 20 years from now. This expectation is in part because they mistakenly believe that aches and pains commonly associated with osteoarthritis (OA) are a natural part of aging.
Expectations around decreased physical activity are even greater with those who suffer from OA. In fact, an alarming 81 per cent of OA suffers expect joint pain to increase as they age and over half feel they’ll be less physically active 20 years from now.
“Regular activity is important in the successful management of osteoarthritis; it’s actually part of the arthritis treatment plan,” said Dr. William Bensen, a rheumatology consultant at McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton. “People with OA need to communicate and work with their physician to manage their pain as much as possible so that they can be active and healthier as they age.”
Pain and physical limitations aren’t the only barriers to daily physical activity. Time constraints are also an issue according to 56 per cent of adult Canadians; another 26 per cent cite money as a limiting factor.
The task force is calling on all Canadians to follow a five-step plan to healthy and active aging:
1. Aim for 30 minutes of activity per day.
2. Find simple things to do that fit your life. For example, walk to work, do an extra lap around the grocery store while shopping, check the library and DVD store for exercise DVDs or do chair exercises while watching TV.
3. Find an activity buddy.
4. Proactively manage aches and pains. They’re not a normal part of aging.
To read the full report, visit www.carp.ca.
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