by Margaret A. Perkinson, Ph.D., Center on Aging Director – University of Hawai‘I
Never in the history of humankind have so many people lived so long. Anthropologists estimate that on average, Neanderthals lived little more than 20 years; only a small percent reached 40. In 15th century Europe, the average life expectancy reached a scant 35 years. Around the turn of the 20th century, however, advances in public health (clean water, waste disposal, vaccinations) decreased infectious diseases, greatly reducing infant and child mortality and increasing life expectancy. Since WWII, global average life expectancy increased from 45 to 69.6 years. By 2040, the number of people expected to reach age 65 is projected to reach 79.7 million. The number of seniors expected to reach age 80 is projected to increase 233 percent by 2040.
As a species, we have made greater gains in average life expectancy in the past 100 years than in the previous 200,000 years! To put it another way, half of all humans who ever reached age 65 are still alive today!ever in the history of humankind have so many people lived so long. Anthropologists estimate that on average, Neanderthals lived little more than 20 years; only a small percent reached 40. In 15th century Europe, the average life expectancy reached a scant 35 years. Around the turn of the 20th century, however, advances in public health (clean water, waste disposal, vaccinations) decreased infectious diseases, greatly reducing infant and child mortality and increasing life expectancy. Since WWII, global average life expectancy increased from 45 to 69.6 years. By 2040, the number of people expected to reach age 65 is projected to reach 79.7 million. The number of seniors expected to reach age 80
is projected to increase 233 percent by 2040.
Recent global declines in birth rates contributed to populations’ increased percentages of old compared to young. In the near future, persons aged 65 and over will outnumber children under age 5 for the first time in history.
These population changes will have a great impact on both individual life experiences and social institutions. As the average size and composition of families change, with multiple generations and fewer members in each succeeding generation, fewer caregivers will be tending to more older adults, in addition to raising their own children!
Older populations confront long-term, sometimes incurable health challenges, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia. Chronic conditions demand reformulated forms of health-care — community-based long-term care, in-home care and support systems to enable continued independence and quality of life.
With its aloha spirit and extensive network of ‘ohana dedicated to elder well-being, Hawai‘i is the perfect place to assume a leadership role in developing service models to address the health and social challenges of aging in the modern world by providing optimal kupuna care.
CENTER ON AGING — University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
2430 Campus Rd., Gartley Hall, 201B, Honolulu HI 96822
808-956-6124 | map3@hawaii.edu
www.hawaii.edu/aging/
According Harvard Medical School, the need for dentures in later life used to be a foregone conclusion. But today, three-quarters of the over-65 population retain at least some of their teeth. Although older people still suffer higher rates of gum disease, dental decay and tooth loss, they can still do a lot to keep their mouth looking and feeling younger than its years.
3. Dentures, of which there are generally two types: A partial denture will replace some missing teeth, supported by remaining teeth. A complete or full denture is used when the teeth on one arch or both arches are missing.
What can seniors do to retain healthy teeth?
A water flosser, such as a Waterpik, is also a great device that seniors can use if the task becomes too difficult.
The virtual weightlessness of being in water reduces stress on joints, bones and muscles. Water resistance provides the strength training needed to decrease blood sugar levels. Aquatic exercise burns calories more efficiently. A 30-minute walk on land burns 135 calories compared to 264 calories walking in water.
Our kidneys make up an important system in our bodies. They are responsible for many vital functions, such as removing wastes from our blood, controlling blood pressure and keeping our bones strong, for example. Such an important organ system deserves our best care and effort so we can keep it functioning well for our entire lives. Unfortunately, however, over 31 million people — nearly 10 percent of the population of the United States — are estimated to suffer from kidney disease and the number is increasing. Risk factors include being over 60 years old and having diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. The current treatments for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure consist of medications to control symptoms, dialysis, and in some cases, surgery or transplantation. While these procedures can save and prolong lives, they are invasive and can cause severe side effects.
Balance. It’s something everyone takes for granted without a second thought about how crucial it is to daily living. However, it’s wise not to underestimate the importance of having good balance, especially in our senior years.
Aches and pains, having to avoid certain things, imbalance — people often have the misconception that these problems are a natural part of aging. There are physiological changes that naturally occur with aging, but these should only be contributing factors rather than the determining factor. The key factor is that the human body is highly adaptable. The unfortunate aspect is that this applies to both the bad as well as the good.
Homeopathy works on the bioenergetic level. Working through the body’s energy system and bearing some similarities to acupuncture, homeopathic medicine may deliver messages almost instantly through the body’s nerve pathways. Homeopathic medicines relieve everything from allergies to arthritis pain to flu symptoms.
• Heat therapy. Use a heating pad while stretching in bed or perform a range-of-motion exercises in a warm shower.