Study Shows Americans are Living Longer, Healthier Lives

Not too long ago, when Americans reached the age of 70, their occupation became focused on managing their health. Research shows this is no longer the case – now, in their older years, Americans can look forward to living normal, healthy lives, with a lower chance of disabilities. Improved medical treatments and better lifestyle choices are to thank.

A new study, conducted by Harvard researchers, analyzed data from the federal government. The data showed the average life expectancy for the average 65-year-old in 1992 to be 17.5 more years. Of these years, 8.9 were expected to be disability-free. By 2008, the data revealed that someone age 65 had a life expectancy of 18.8 additional years. 10.7 of these years were free of disabilities.

The research, which can be found in a paper released recently by the National Bureau of Economic Research, is good news for the increasing Baby Boomer population – as well as good news for medical care. It proves the value of medical investments, according to Daniel Cutler, the study’s co-author and a professor of applied economics at Harvard. Because 65 tends to be a typical retirement age for many Americans, older adults can now look forward to a life that doesn’t include work – and many years that do not include illness or disabilities. Cutler believes that once people reach 65, they have years of healthy activity left.

So, what has changed within American healthcare that’s contributing to healthier, longer lives? The Harvard researchers suggest that improvements in heart disease prevention and treatment are a major factor. People are smoking less, eating a better diet, and generally taking better care of themselves. Americans have taken better control of their blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and keeping diabetes in check. Because of this, there has been a substantial decrease in both disabilities and deaths due to heart failure and disease.

However, medical care is also to thank. Cutler estimates that as much as half of the improvement is due to medicinal and therapeutic advancements, especially when it comes to heart disease. Drug treatments are reducing heart attacks and assisting with faster recoveries. 

Vision care has also greatly improved over past years. New cataract treatments account for better vision health through older age. Cataract surgeries that used to be very challenging and tedious can now be done in an outpatient setting, with improved recovery times and little to no complications.

So, Baby Boomers – look forward to many more healthy years with your friends and family, and keep up your healthy lifestyles.

Intense Exercise Can Help Keep Muscles Young as We Age

A Canadian study suggests "high level" exercise helps keep people's muscles young as they age. The secret to keeping muscles young as the cellular level could be just down the street at your neighborhood gym.

Even non-athletes can benefit from working out on a regular basis; exercise is without a doubt important to maintaining functional performance.

Staying active throughout your life, even when you are older, can help reduce muscle loss. The researchers explained that as people age, they lose strength and muscle mass. This process gets quicker after people turn 60 years old.

In the study, researchers found muscle decline was slower in older adults who were elite athletes. They compared the muscles of 80 year olds who had been world-class track and field athletes with other 80 year olds who were not athletes.

The athletes' legs were about 25 percent stronger with 14 percent more muscle mass. Moreover, they elderly athletes has nearly 30 percent more nerve and muscle fibers in their leg muscles. This means greater strength and muscle mass, according to a news release about the study.

It is critical to find ways to intervene and delay potential loss of motor units. The ability to move easily and independently as you age is of the upmost importance. Physical ability helps prevent falls, fractures, and other potentially life-threatening challenges. In addition, it helps keep quality of life high by allowing people to maintain their independence.

More research should be conducted to figure out how big a factor genetics is in this equation. Is the higher muscle mass found in former elite athletes a result of genes, training, or both?

The study was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

• Easy strength training exercises include:
•  Knee extensions while sitting in a chair
• Partial or full squats, in the air or against a wall
• Half or full wall sits
• Bicep curls, with or without weight
• Tricep extensions, with or without weight
• Overhead press, with or without weight