Prospects are good for living longer and healthier than ever before in human history. According to today’s research, this generation is likely to live about ten years longer than that of our parents. And as health care advances, and scientific knowledge about human physiology and how it relates to our health progresses, so too does our ability to live those additional years in a state of improved health.
United States statistics shows that in 2010 about 40.4 million Americans were 65 years old or older (13 percent of the total population.) Projections into the future say that by the year 2030 close to 20 percent of the US population will be 65 years or more.
It is true that no one can guarantee for themselves a long healthy life, no matter how healthy a lifestyle they may lead. But it is true that there are many things we can control, each one of which increases our chance so living long, active, and healthy lives.
What can each of us do to lower our risk of developing diseases that are preventable? Here are a few suggestions:
- Make good choices about what goes into our bodies: quit smoking, eat healthy food, reduce stress, develop hygienic habits.
- Stay positive and happy.
- Keep active, both for your mind and for your body.
- Pay attention to safety and avoid avoidable hazards.
- Go for regular check-ups, take screening tests, and adhere to the preventative recommendations of your healthcare provider.
Perhaps most important of all: stay focused on your sense of purpose. Stay connected to the people that mean the most to you, and engage in the activities you find most meaningful. Having a reason to get up in the morning helps you to continue to get up every morning. Keeping all these ideas in mind can have a huge impact on overall health and well-being of the aging population.