Grandparent Healthpage
Grandparent Healthpage: Standing Tall
As we all know, the identity of today’s grandparents is changing. The image of Granny and Grandpa rocking away on the front porch is old stuff. Nowadays most grandparents are in the mainstream. We recognize that we are we healthier, longer-lived, more informed and involved than any generation of grandparents before us. Millions of us are raising our grandchildren and helping our children and communities. Health and vitality are important for continued involvement. To keep you up to date about health issues, here is the Grandparent Healthpage. Our first topic concerns posture.
An individual’s posture has been described as a physical reflection of self-esteem and internal state of mind. Old stereotypes of bent-over grandparents portrayed them as feeble, ineffective, passive and a bit dotty. In fact, some children see their older grandparents in this way, as illustrated in the drawing (fig.).
Researching the issue, we found little academic work had been done to examine the issue of posture among the elderly, so we began to talk to people directly. And we were surprised how many healthy, older people had poor "voluntary" posture (excluding folks afflicted with physical illness, like rheumatic disorders, osteoporosis, and others).
People report that posture reflects a position one takes toward life: toward a problem, toward an issue. One person reported that "poor posture makes me look like I’ve given up."
Everyone agrees that people who stand tall give a good impression. "I think they have good self-esteem and look great. They project command and competence," one person said. Another remembered how her 80 year-old grandmother would turn all eyes when she entered a room because she was standing tall. She called it "regal bearing." "My grandmother was from the old country, she was drilled in the importance of good posture as a social grace."
Besides its social implications, standing tall is important from a health point of view. Physiologically, the bent position pinches the nerves emerging from the spine. This leads to all kinds of pain and physical malfunction.
Poor posture also decreases the amount of air taken into the chest, and expelled, with each breath. This causes poor air exchange and circulation problems which can result in increased lung diseases and infections.
Psychologically, self-esteem can be reflected in body language. Being bent is a mind set that is defeatist, projecting a negative energy, impotent attitude, physical weakness, and decreased self-image and confidence.
So, be aware of your posture ... and perk up! To be healthy and vital, to project a positive as a grandparent, we must stand tall for ourselves and everyone else.
Lynn G. Barclay
Outreach Coordinator
