As the average age of the world population rises we will inevitably face a variety of challenges. Health care, housing, and social security are all dangerously overtaxed, and without substantial improvements, may not be sufficient to meet the growing needs of the world's elderly population. Nursing homes in the United States provide one example of how the system is being taxed. Jordan Rau reports in a NY Times article from July 7, 2018 that, due to lenient regulatory policies, many nursing homes overstated their staffing levels for years. Lower than reported staff numbers could potentially contribute to a lack of care for nursing home residents as well as increased staff burnout. Additionally, recent changes to immigration policy have sparked fears that elderly caretakers, a high percentage of whom are immigrants, will be increasingly in short supply.
In the coming years, this could lead to a widespread shortage in qualified staff to care for the almost 1.4 million Americans living in over 15,000 skilled nursing facilities in the United States. According to the US census bureau, the elderly population (over 65) increased from 35.0 million in 2000, to 49.2 million in 2016, accounting for 12.4 percent and 15.2 percent of the total population, respectively. This number is expected to reach 20% of the national population by the year 2050.
Some medical experts and policymakers are betting on advances in science and medicine to make up for the overwhelming burden that may be placed on the healthcare system in the coming decades. But even if advances in medicine and technology ease the healthcare burden, and that’s a very big if, questions remain as to how we can improve seniors' quality of life. When it comes to caring for the elderly, there are few things the impact quality of life more than self-sufficiency.
It’s worth considering many different strategies to deal with senior healthcare needs. Technology and medicine will undoubtedly play an important role, but so will what I call "low-tech solutions."
Perhaps the greatest example of low-tech solutions for healthy aging is also one of the simplest: exercise. According to recommendations by the Leonard David School of Gerontology at USC, a simple habit of exercise helps seniors reduce their risk for debilitating falls and illnesses, increases flexibility and brain volume, and reduces the chances of developing high blood pressure or obesity. They say that 3 hours of exercise per week may even add an average of 5 years to a person’s life.
Many seniors express the desire to remain independent as they grow older. They sincerely want to stay in their homes, see their friends and family, and continue their daily activities or endeavors. Remaining independent and self-sufficient takes work. As the years go by, this means exercising more, not less. Studies have shown that most people naturally lose muscle mass, and strength, with each passing year. This process accelerates as we get older. But there is good news: exercise can prevent much of the decline in muscle mass and strength.
So rather than imagining retirement to be a time primarily for leisure, entertainment, and less physical activity, we need to visualize filling our later years with regular self-sustaining exercises and practices. To make this a reality, remember that it's easier to start a habit of regular exercise when you're young. Even if it's just going for a 10 minute walk with 5lb dumbbells, or taking the stairs each day instead of the elevator, start now if you want to be active later in life.
From a certain perspective, maintaining your health is more than just a personal issue. Every senior citizen who manages to prevent chronic illness by exercising regularly also eases the burden on our healthcare systems. Of course there is no guarantee that exercise will prevent all illnesses as we age, but the benefits are clear. So while we await the miracle drugs and technologies of the future, we can all do our part by maintaining a healthy exercise routine. The future may well depend on it!