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healthy (successful) aging; sustained independence

- The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined healthy aging as 'a process of maintaining functional ability to enable well-being in older age' - Components of the concept of healthy (successful) aging [13,14] include: a) low probability of disease & disability b) high physical & cognitive functional capacity c) active engagement in life - sustained independence of older adults in general is facilitated by the strategy of optimization (more frequent practice) with compensation (choosing easier tasks) [1,11,12] Pathology: - cerebral cortical atrophy occurs slower in elderly >= 80 years of age with preserved episodic memory [8] - longevity with unimpaired cognition into old age is associated with resistance to development of neurofibrillary tangles & senile plaques - normal aging is associated with isolated neurofibrillary tangles [9] - resistance to age-related neurofibrillary degeneration in the entorhinal cortex may contribute to preserved memory in SuperAgers [10] Genetics: - see longevity [20] Laboratory: - proteomic aging clock may be useful for predicting - incidence of chronic disease - age-related measures of biological, physical & cognitive function - telomere length, frailty index, reaction time - multimorbidity - all-cause mortality [24] Management: - exercise is an important component of healthy aging - midlife cardiovascular fitness associated with lower risk of chronic disease in old age [2] - exercise for seniors continues benefits for healthy aging - a healthy diet is an important component of healthy aging - a Mediterranean diet in middle age linked to healthy aging [3] - nutrients with favorable effects on cognitive function & brain health from the Mediterranean diet include fatty acids, antioxidants, carotenoids & vitamins [23] - consuming more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts & legumes can reduce death from cancer, cardiovascular illness, respiratory disease & neurodegenerative disease [16] - dietary diversity is a component of a healthy diet [19] - flavonoids in green leafy vegetables & berries appear to have health benefits - high flavonoid cocoa supplement ameliorates plasma oxidative stress & inflammation & improves mobility & quality of life in elders [6] - improvements in glycemic index, dyslipidemia, plasma markers of oxidative stress - improvement in get-up-&-go test, frailty & quality of life [6] - prevention of cognitive impairment is an important component of healthy aging [23] - adequate sleep & good sleep hygiene may improve cognition in the elderly - normal sleep duration (7-9 hr) associated with higher cognitive scores [21] - earlier sleep patterns linked to superior cognitive function [21] - strong social network helps maintain cognitive function - purpose in life, social engagement & life satisfaction are neuroprotective - late-life participation in intellectual activities - a healthy diet is an important component of prevention of cognitive impairment - prevention of hospitalization in the elderly may diminish cognitive impairment - prevention & treatment of sensory impairment - cataract extraction associated with reduced risk of dementia - hearing aids & cochlear implants may attenuate cognitive decline - stress management including meditation, stretching, breathing, & imagery [18] - maintaining a healthy living enviroment is an important component of healthy aging - breathing clean air - not smoking - minimizing effects of air pollution - spending >= 2 hours/week in natural environments can benefit health & well-being [7] - navigating the uncertainties of climate change - adherence to a healthy lifestyle appears to be important even at late ages plays a role in promoting healthy aging & longevity [19] - follow life's essential 8 * also see aging, longevity, & health maintenance in the elderly

Related

exercise for seniors health maintenance (preventive medicine) in the elderly health span healthy diet lifestyle & health longevity prevention of cognitive impairment

Specific

active aging aging in place

General

aging

References

  1. Geriatrics Review Syllabus, American Geriatrics Society, 5th edition, 2002-2004 - Geriatric Review Syllabus, 8th edition (GRS8) Durso SC and Sullivan GN (eds) American Geriatrics Society, 2013 - Geriatric Review Syllabus, 11th edition (GRS11) Harper GM, Lyons WL, Potter JF (eds) American Geriatrics Society, 2022
  2. Willis BL et al. Midlife fitness and the development of chronic conditions in later life. Arch Intern Med 2012 Sep 24; 172:1333. PMID: 22928178 http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1352789
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  7. White MP, Alcock I, Grellier J et al Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Scientific Reports 9, Article number: 7730 (2019) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3
  8. Samuelson K Next step in Alzheimer's research: Brain shrinkage rates. SuperAger brains shrink more slowly than peers' brains. Northwestern Now. April 04, 2017 https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2017/april/alzheimers-research-superagers-brain-shrinkage/ - Cook AH, Sridhar J, Ohm D et al Rates of Cortical Atrophy in Adults 80 Years and Older With Superior vs Average Episodic Memory JAMA. 2017;317(13):1373-1375 PMID: 28384819 http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2614177
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  12. Zhang W, Radhakrishnan K. Evidence on selection, optimization, and compensation strategies to optimize aging with multiple chronic conditions: a literature review. Geriatr Nurs. 2018;39(5):534-542 PMID: 29609993 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0197457218300806
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  19. Li Y, Wang L, Jigeer G et al Healthy Lifestyle and the Likelihood of Becoming a Centenarian. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(6):e2417931. June 20 PMID: 38900423 Free article. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2820220
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