An excerpt from 21st Century Schizoid Health Care: Essays and Reflections to Keep You Sane on Your Medical Travels.
Over a decade ago, a landmark ten-year study by the MacArthur Foundation shattered the stereotypes of aging as a process of slow, genetically determined decline. Researchers found that 70 percent of physical aging and about 50 percent of mental aging are determined by lifestyle and the choices we make every day. Additional research showed that people who live longer often experience shorter periods of decline before death, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “compression of morbidity.” That means that if we optimize healthy lifestyles, we can “live longer and die shorter,” i.e., condense the decline period into the very end of a fulfilling, active old age.
Some studies do not support compression of morbidity when morbidity is defined as a major disease and mobility functioning loss. However, whether or not the concept is valid, no one can argue that living longer and dying shorter emphasizes the goal of maintaining good health and quality of life for as long as possible in order to minimize prolonged suffering or chronic illness. Living long and dying short is a concept that underscores the importance of not only extending one’s lifespan but also ensuring that the years lived are marked by health and vitality with minimal burden placed upon loved ones. Achieving this ideal involves an approach that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Understand that maintaining physical health is paramount. This involves regular exercise, which helps in managing weight, improving cardiovascular health, and boosting overall energy levels. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins provides the necessary nutrients for the body to function optimally. Regular medical check-ups and screenings are essential to detect and address potential health issues early, preventing them from developing into more serious conditions. Additionally, avoiding harmful habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Mental health is equally important in the quest to live long and die short. Engaging in activities that stimulate the mind, such as reading, puzzles, or learning new skills, can help maintain cognitive function. Social connections play a crucial role in mental well-being; maintaining strong relationships with family, friends, and community can provide emotional support and reduce feelings of loneliness and depression. Stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, can also help in maintaining mental equilibrium.
Emotional well-being is another critical component. Finding purpose and meaning in life, whether through work, hobbies, or volunteering, can provide a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Practicing gratitude and maintaining a positive outlook can enhance emotional resilience, helping individuals to cope better with life’s challenges. It is also important to seek help when needed, whether through therapy, counseling, or support groups, to address emotional issues and maintain overall well-being. Reaching the “integrity versus despair” stage of life (>65 years) means you have resolved the key conflict of questioning whether or not you have led a meaningful, satisfying life.
Lastly, adopting a proactive approach to aging can help ensure that the later years are lived with quality. This might involve making necessary adjustments to living environments to ensure safety and accessibility, staying engaged in social and community activities, and continuing to pursue passions and interests. By focusing on preventive care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, individuals can reduce the duration and severity of decline at the end of life.
Living long and dying short is about more than just adding years to life; it’s about adding life to years. Through a combination of physical health, mental stimulation, emotional well-being, and proactive aging, individuals can strive to live vibrant, fulfilling lives, minimizing the period of decline and ensuring a dignified end without burdening families.
Here are a few pointers health care practitioners can discuss with their patients:
- Recognize just how expensive the unplanned alternative is, i.e., reactive, after-the-fact, aging at home.
- Empower older adults to take charge of their health and proactively manage their chronic conditions before they’re in need of round-the-clock care. Engage those who express disinterest in routine care and medical exams.
- Offer alternative viewpoints to fatalistic attitudes and perceptions that view declining health is an inevitable part of aging.
- Educate older adults who might feel overwhelmed by the complexity of modern health care, preferring to rely on familiar, albeit outdated, practices.
- Highlight success stories of older adults who have benefited from proactive health measures.
- Encourage people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s to adopt healthy lifestyles that will allow them to avoid or at least delay loss of mobility or cognitive function.
- Remind patients that what we used to think of as diseases of aging, such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and cancer, we now see in much younger people.
If we take the right steps, many more Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers will have the opportunity to “live long and die short.” More older adults will have the opportunity to age gracefully and die with dignity rather than spend 10 or 15 years of progressive, debilitating, and costly decline. Older adults need to become more proactive in planning for their future. They need to seize the opportunity now.
Arthur Lazarus is a former Doximity Fellow, a member of the editorial board of the American Association for Physician Leadership, and an adjunct professor of psychiatry at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He is the author of several books on narrative medicine, including Medicine on Fire: A Narrative Travelogue and Story Treasures: Medical Essays and Insights in the Narrative Tradition.
