Crimmins (2015) wrote that over the past century, advances in
technology and improvements in society’s ability to address
infectious disease, decreased causes of mortality among young
people, and the reduction of heart disease had increased both
lifespan and healthspan of our aging population. Between 1900
and 2010, life expectancy in the U.S. went from 47.3 years to 78.7
years (Cummins, 2015). Cummings (2015) predicted that life
expectancy would continue to increase as society continues to
reduce mortality from chronic disease. However, lifestyle diseases,
such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, may
drastically slow or reverse this trend in developed countries.
My grandfather died young from a heart attack. He was a prisoner
of war during World War II, held as a civilian captive in the
Philippines when the islands were occupied by the Japanese. The
years of near-starvation and the stress of captivity took their toll
on his body but he, like most in his generation, expected to live life
on a linear path because most people did not live beyond their
sixties. Now, though, people are living longer now and are taking
advantage of increased longevity to continue to explore
opportunities to continue to earn and explore their world in their
later years. Advances in communication and other technology
make it easier for older people to remain safely in their homes
versus moving to institutions. Most seniors wish to remain
independent and stay in their own homes as they age, also known
as aging in place, so long as it is safe. The Rural Health Information
Hub (2019) wrote that aging in place promotes life satisfaction, a
positive quality of life, and self-esteem—all of which are needed to
remain happy, healthy, and well into old age. Additionally, keeping
older adults in their homes, and engaged in their communities,
benefits the communities by facilitating the sharing of wisdom
across generations, increasing community involvement, building
new and lasting friendships, and building stronger, healthier
communities.
References:
Cummins, E. (2015, December). Lifespan and heatlhspan: past,
present, and promise. Gerontologist, 55(6), 901-911. doi:
10.1093/geront/gnv130
Rural Health Information Hub. (2019, June 4). Overview of aging in
place. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from Rural Health
Information Hub:
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/aging/1/overview#:
~:text=Aging%20in%20place%20promotes%20life
%20satisfaction%2C%20a%20positive,in%20place%20is
%20supported%2C%20the%20entire%20community
%20benefits.