Our lifespan is defined as our time on Earth from birth to death.
Healthspan is defined as the time we spend in good health without disease.
Due to advances in medical technology, knowledge and
medicines, the average lifespan in Canada is 82 years of age. Yet, despite
those advances, our average healthspan, a time when we remain free from serious
disease, has remained the same: between the ages of 60-65. Risk factors that
impact our lifespan are heart disease, diabetes, cancers, stroke and
dementia/Alzheimer’s.
There are some factors that impact our healthspan that are beyond our control:
Genetics
Genetics plays a significant role in determining our health and can influence various aspects of our well-being. Genetics can make individuals more or less susceptible to certain diseases. Understanding one’s genetic predispositions can be valuable for personalized healthcare and disease prevention.
Healthcare
Our healthcare system is under enormous strain; an aging population heading into retirement coupled with a lack of healthcare professionals. This results in longer wait times for treatment from a specialist, allowing treatable conditions to often result in an increase in pain while conditions worsen.
Environmental pollution
Examples of environmental pollutions are air, water, noise and light pollution. The most prevalent in the Okanagan is wildfire smoke. The onslaught of Okanagan wildfire smoke began in earnest in the summer of 2003. At that time, it was a once in a 100 years event. We now have a “new normal” with wildfire smoke affecting not just BC but as far East as New Brunswick and well down into our southern neighbours on a yearly basis. In addition to extreme levels of stress about mass evacuations and displacement is our deteriorating air quality which causes respiratory problems and cancer.
Socio/Economic constraints
Those of us who have pensions and extended benefits will be quicker to buy hearing aids or attend physiotherapy than those with no health benefits living on a fixed income. Common issues are overpriced medications, reduced income, home maintenance and debt.
The aging process can be accelerated or slowed by lifestyle factors. The following are things that are within our control:
Staying active
You don’t need to go to an expensive gym to stay active; we just need to keep our bodies moving. Use the stairs instead of an elevator, take your dog for a walk, go for a bike ride or do some gardening. Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight. Adults who are obese increase their risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Sleep
It is recommended that adults sleep 7-9 hours per night. There are many factors that inhibit sleep: insomnia, stress, pain, or some medications can keep us up at night. Tired adults have a harder time concentrating and solving problems. Poor sleep increases our risks of dementia and depression. We are irritable, forgetful and have a higher likelihood of falls or other accidents.
Things to do:
- Follow a regular sleep schedule – try to fall asleep and wake up at the same time each day.
- Avoid late-day naps.
- Exercise, but not within 3 hours of bedtime.
- Regular nighttime routines: have a hot bath or settle in with a good book. Listen to soothing music, and be sure to turn off devices at least an hour before bedtime.
- Avoid eating large meals close to bedtime, avoid caffeine late in the day and alcohol, even small amounts, make it harder to stay asleep.
Healthy food choices
Eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts can help slow the aging process to stave off the risk factors that affect our healthspan.
Proactively manage your healthcare
We have a tendency to ignore our health for fear of the unknown and by leaving it something that could have been caught early and dealt with advances with sometimes deadly consequences. Seeing your doctor regularly helps them catch chronic diseases early and allows for a proactive approach to reduce risk factors, which can improve quality of life and feelings of wellness.
Take care of your mental health
Mental wellness is essential to our overall health and quality of life. Managing loneliness, stress, depression, and social isolation is key to healthy aging.
Aging makes older adults more likely to be socially isolated. We may develop mobility issues, which make it harder for us to get around and suffer hearing loss (sometimes hiding it), so we miss out on most of the conversations going on around us. Vision and memory loss can also make it difficult to maintain social connections with our friends and family.
Staying connected boosts our moods and overall well-being. Here are some suggestions to stay connected:
- Schedule a family dinner
- Call your loved ones on the phone or use video chat when one-to-one face time is not possible
- Restart an old hobby or learn something new
- Adopt a pet or volunteer at a rescue organization if adoption is not possible
- Introduce yourself to your neighbours
- Check out events at the Seniors Centre, YMCA, H20 or public library
- Join a cause and get involved in your community
In summary, the concepts of lifespan and healthspan highlight the distinction between simply living longer and living longer in good health and vitality. While increasing our lifespan is a significant achievement, it is equally important to focus on improving our healthspan, which enables us to enjoy a higher quality of life in our later years. To enhance our healthspan, we can take proactive steps such as maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet, staying physically active, managing stress, getting regular check-ups, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Additionally, incorporating mental and social well-being into our lives, fostering strong social connections, and engaging in lifelong learning can contribute to a fulfilling and healthy later life.