AGING is a frightful prospect for most Filipinos with fears of deterioration that comes with the slowdown of bodily systems, cognitive decline, and risks of emotional instability.
But Heide Cruel has never felt better her entire life. A registered nurse from the 1960s, the 75-year-old said she has been dedicating her time and energy on interests that will make her enjoy aging.
“I have a lot of free time now. I do tai-chi, I do yoga. Can’t you see, I’m hyperactive! Can’t you see how talkative I am?” she cheerfully said.
Mrs. Cruel said that her personality is far from her antagonist namesake, Cruella de Vil. When she’s not busy looking after her grandchildren at home, she busies herself with hobbies like painting, drawing, and embroidery.
Through her friends who are all equally active in their community, she has stumbled upon AgeWell Club, a first-of its-kind community conceptualized by United Laboratories Inc. (Unilab) to encourage adults 50 and above to embrace aging so they can discover opportunities to enjoy it.
For Mrs. Cruel, AgeWell Club fits the lifestyle and benefits that she wants at her age.
“I feel better when I’m busy. You get weaker if you don’t move around, right? So I just keep on going. I always look for activities like those from AgeWell Club and I enjoy it a lot. I have fun because it’s a different experience when you’re out there learning and participating,” she said.
Established early in 2016, the AgeWell Club was officially launched during the first Philippine Expo on Aging Well held at Metrowalk, Ortigas, Pasig City, with over 600 seniors, the majority of whom are pioneer members of the club, participating in two days of talks and activities designed to empower the senior population of the country.
At present there are over 10 million senior citizens registered in the country. By 2050, the over-60 population is expected to balloon to 23.63 million, with Unilab thrusting efforts to address the health and wellness needs of the seniors in the Philippines.
The AgeWell Club allows members to learn both how to understand and enjoy aging. It offers interactive sessions on health, fitness, nutrition, emotional wellness, as well as recreational activities tailored specifically for adults of the older age group.
AgeWell Club combines its holistic health and wellness approach to aging with Unilab’s expertise in science and health care to develop products, services, and activities that enable members to age well.
Also present during the launching of AgeWell Club was former Senator Edgardo J. Angara, who authored the Senior Citizens Act and its expanded version, providing the primary law that allowed the elderly to avail themselves of substantial discounts for various purchases and services.
Now 82 and an honorary member of AgeWell Club, he said during his keynote speech on developing an enabling environment to enjoy aging in the Philippines that being called a “senior” must not be taken as an insult, but rather as a compliment for being major contributors to the development of the society. He said that to be able to ensure a healthy well-being, one needs to change his lifestyle and mindset toward aging.
“Seniors are more than willing to help the community and share the wisdom they have garnered over the years. We must look at aging as natural and unavoidable, that’s why we mustn’t look at it negatively. It should be a self-fulfilling project. If you look at it positively, believe me you’ll live longer,” the former legislator said.
AgeWell is a collaboration across Unilab’s most trusted brands that cater to the needs of adults in their prime such as Skelan, Neurogen E, and Enervon Prime. During the Expo, Unilab introduced its latest addition to its group of senior-focused brands, Enzyplex. The caplet is a special digestive supplement that aids in regulating digestive enzymes that helps in the breakdown of food to ensure proper digestion and nutrient absorption among seniors.