A recent study indicates that not only are people living longer lives, they are living a higher quality of life while they live longer. This is good news for our older loved ones–and for those that will be older in the future. In short, it’s good news for everyone!
Looking at this topic a little bit deeper reveals more information about what a higher quality of life actually includes. For starters, better healthcare plays an important role in quality of life. There are still a lot of chronic and incurable illnesses out there. But because of better medical practices, even those with chronic illnesses and disabilities are living better, healthier lives in the early stages of these diseases. The diagnosis of a chronic illness is not a death sentence. It just changes how the latter years of life need to be approached.
Researchers found that over a 20 year timeframe, men saw an average increase in their life expectancy of 4.6 years. During this same time, disability-free years went up by 3.7 years. Women saw an increase in life expectancy of 2.1 years, with disability-free years increasing by 2.0 years.
The biggest area of opportunity found in this study was for those suffering from cognitive disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease. This population actually saw an increase in the number of years that those with cognitive disability struggled with issues. There’s a lot more help needed to adequately serve this specific population.
This was examined by looking at a concept called “healthspan.” Healthspan refers to disability-free years once someone becomes a senior citizen. While we have seen life expectancy steadily increase over the least twenty years for both men and women, this isn’t necessarily a good thing. If someone lives ten years longer than expected, but they are suffering from chronic pain and severe disability, this implies that a longer life span might not be the blessing that was once thought. However, if someone lives ten years longer than expected and they are able to be more active and able during that period of time, extended life expectancy is even better. This is what healthspan attempts to measure.
Researchers believe that overall quality of life is improving for many seniors.
This research was conducted by a team based out of Newcastle University. They published their findings in the journal, PLOS Medicine. Not only does research like this help to raise awareness about the quality of life that seniors experience, it also provides a stepping stone for future researchers to begin their research and take greater strides toward helping the elderly into the future. Every improvement that we can find to help is important. Studies like this one lay a groundwork to make this a reality.
Do you have more questions about senior care and how it can help improve the quality of life that your loved ones experience? We’re here to answer your questions. Whether you have just a couple things to ask or you want to sit and have an in depth conversation regarding what care might look like for your family’s specific situation, one of our trained professionals would love to go over these things during a free, no pressure consultation.
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