today's 65-and-older American
adults is to live another 15 to 20
years. In fact, according to the
2007 U.S. Census data, a male
reaching age 65 has a 50% chance
of living beyond 92. Women typically
live two to three years longer than
males, so for a couple reaching age 65,
either the husband or wife has a 50%
chance of living beyond 92 and a 25%
chance of living beyond age 97.
to nearly 2 billion in 2050, and
that the number of centenarians is
projected to increase over the same
period to 3.2 million (in 2002, that
number was about 210,000).
age 65. But while we're living longer,
are we living healthier?
Faculty at Michigan State University
Kalamazoo Center for Medical
Studies, and a gerontologist, it
depends on how the "new" old adult
has lived. "If they exposed them-
selves to risk factors like smoking or
heavy alcohol use, they will age more
rapidly than someone who has lived
an active, stimulating life," he says.
"But overall, we are seeing `older' old
adults aging better and living longer.
It's not uncommon anymore to see a
very healthy 60 to 70 year old."
that manage or cure diseases that
would have debilitated or killed our
parents or grandparents. "Diseases
like high blood pressure and high
cholesterol are chronic diseases that
we don't cure, but can easily treat
now," Dr. Wortz says. "We have
people in their `70s, `80s, and `90s
who've had these disorders for more
than 30 years, and they're fine and
stay healthy with medicine."
healthcare management also help
people continue living longer.
i.e. knees, hips, and shoulders, give
out. More often, these issues can be
traced back to an earlier injury, one's
occupation or to the lifestyle a person
has led. "In my private practice," Dr.
Wortz says, "I like to say `I've never
met a plumber who didn't need total
knee replacement if he lived long
enough.'"
replacements. Usually the need
for replacements is because of an
injury or diseases, such as rheuma-
toid arthritis and osteoporosis. But
if someone takes care of his/her
joints and treats or prevents certain
diseases, most body parts will last a
lifetime.
something to do and someone to
love." According to Dr. Wortz, that
saying pretty much sums up the
basics of staying healthy as an older
adult. "Emotional health is very
important," he says. "People continue
to need purpose and a mission in
their lives, which can be as simple
as spending time with grandkids or
taking the dog for a walk. It must
have meaning to that person."
or weren't happy suggested that
the "break even" point was about
20 hours a week of meaningful
activity--whether it was volun-
teering, socializing--something as
simple as babysitting grandchildren.
Staying physically active helps
decrease the risk of common diseases
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Susan G. Komen Race
for the Cure, holding a
benefit fundraiser, or
donating to end breast
cancer forever.