Healthy Aging Starts Now: Don't Wait for "Later"

Healthy Aging Starts Now, Think About Your Future Self

When I first began writing about healthy aging, I thought I was speaking mainly to older adults; after all, I am a Geriatrician. My posts on dementia prevention, nutrition, and lifestyle habits seemed like lessons for people in their 60s, 70s, and beyond.

But as I kept writing, and as I age, I have come to an important realization: these lessons aren't just for elders, they're for all of us.

Why We Wait Too Long

In our 30s, 40s, and 50s, most of us are too busy to think about aging. We're building careers, raising families, and caring for others. Sleep gets cut short, work bleeds into evenings, exercise slips off the calendar, meals become rushed, and alcohol or caffeine steps in to keep us going.

We tell ourselves we'll take care of our health later, or we don't even think about taking care of ourselves. Or we may not even realize that our actions now are causing us to live a future with poor health, leading to a poor quality of life and loss of independence. Aging is already occurring, on a cellular level, every single day. The choices we make now quietly shape our future selves: our strength, our memory, our independence, and our quality of life.

What We Know, But Don't Act On

I've written before about the risk factors that help prevent dementia: maintaining good sleep, eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, controlling blood pressure, moderating alcohol consumption, staying socially engaged, and continuing to learn throughout life.

But here's the real question: if we know these things protect the brain, why do we wait until we're older to act?

• High blood pressure in your 40s doubles your dementia risk in your 70s. Read the GeriAcademy Blog post on risk factors that increase the risk of dementia.

• Poor sleep, especially untreated sleep apnea, increases risk for memory loss, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. Read the GeriAcademy blog on Sleep Apnea

• Lack of physical activity accelerates muscle loss and weakens bones, increasing the likelihood of falls later in life.

We can't afford to think of aging as "something that happens later." It's happening now.

The Broken Model vs. a New Way Forward

I know our healthcare system is broken. It focuses too much on reacting to illness instead of building health. That's why I left the traditional model of sick care. Although my patients still come to be treated for disease, there has been a shift in my approach to the management of care. My patients also come to me because they want to age better. They seek strength, vitality, independence, and a high quality of life.

And I see what's possible when people commit to change.

One of my patients in her 70s came to me because she was falling. She felt weak, unsteady, and afraid. However, she didn't give up; instead, she began training. Today, her muscle mass has increased, and she isn't just walking steadily; she's thriving. She's doing box jumps and deadlifts. She's socially engaged, confident, and living with strength. The dietary changes she made have helped her think more clearly, maintain her strength, and have more energy; she is a new person.

That is what healthy aging looks like!

But here's the thing: we shouldn't wait until we're falling to start.

Who Do You Want to Be?

Our bodies are aging every day. The question is not just what do I want to achieve in this world? But who do I want to be at my core?

• Do I want energy to play with my grandchildren?

• Do I want confidence and strength to stay independent?

• Do I want a clear mind to stay socially connected and purposeful?

Quality of life isn't built at the end; it's built along the way.

A Call to Action: Later Is Now

I've seen the strength of my patients who chose to live differently. I've seen the power of sleep, exercise, nourishing food, balance, and community. These are not small things; they are the foundations of a life well lived.

When I think about the future of aging, one book that has stood out to me is Peter Attia's Outlive. He makes the case that longevity isn't about waiting until disease appears; it's about acting now, in midlife, to build the capacity for health in later decades. I couldn't agree more.

So here's my challenge: don't wait until "later" to start thinking about aging. Later is now.

Every night of good sleep, every walk, every mindful meal, every step away from burnout, it all adds up. You are building your future self today.

The healthcare system may be broken, but you are not. You have the power to choose.

The only question left is: what will you do today that your future self will thank you for?