Unlock secret to life

A NARRE Warren resident says the secret to ageing positively is healthy eating, exercise and community involvement.
Pat Whaley has been involved with Casey’s older residents for the past eight years, saying the key to ageing positively was not to retire from life.
“There’s no secret recipe to ageing positively, it’s more like a cocktail of ingredients. You need a balanced lifestyle, healthy diet and exercise,” said the 71-year-old.
“The most important thing is not to just become a number. Get out into your community and get involved. Stay connected to people and make a difference.”
Casey Council supports a variety of community activities, projects and resources for older residents within the municipality and is currently reviewing the 2005-2010 Ageing Positively Plan.
City of Casey community strengthening manager Janette Green said although isolation was consistently reported as being one of the biggest challenges to ageing positively, the council wanted to hear from residents of all ages to get a snapshot of what ageing in Casey means in 2010.
“We are currently reviewing the Ageing Positively in Casey Plan developed in 2005. We need feedback from Casey residents of all ages as this is an issue that affects us all,” she said.
Community feedback gathered during the review process will contribute to the development of new Ageing Positively in Casey priorities for the future.
Mrs Whaley acts as a City of Casey Ageing Positively champion, speaking at local schools, seniors’ groups and community organisations.
“I’ve learnt a whole set of new skills post retirement,” she said.
“So has my husband, he was a mechanic, now he’s got nursing experience and teaches woodwork to cubs and scouts. Everybody has gifts, it’s about thinking laterally and coming up with ways to keep using those gifts after retirement,” she said.
One of Mrs Whaley’s passions is to increase the level of inter-generational interaction at residential aged care facilities in Casey.