Triumphing in our quest to live longer

Years ago, my much-loved great Aunt Connie broke her hip at the age of 90 and was forced to go into a nursing home in Toronto. She complained bitterly that it was a  “holding tank for death”.

Today, we are experiencing a tsunami of people aging. For the first time in history, there are more Canadians older than 65 than there are children under 15.

Our average life expectancy in developed countries has increased from 35 in 1820, to 64 in 1920, and now to 82 in 2019.

This is an amazing triumph in our collective quest to live longer and more active lives.

As you can imagine, there are many challenges and opportunities emerging as a result of this wave.

Some of the upcoming key challenges for those of us peering into the future are:

• independent living and retirement homes, especially for the frail elderly;
• health care and how it’s delivered;
• maintaining autonomy as long as possible;
• awareness of cognitive health including increased dementia and Alzheimers;
• staying mobile with enough transportation;
• sustaining healthy lifestyles;
• staying socially connected;
• continued financial wellness and employment.

Groundbreaking research about the aging process is currently underway in medical advances, especially since the genome project. There are designer drug and gene therapies to keep our bones dense, our muscles strong and our minds sharp.

Remarkable technological solutions are also being proposed. Already, older people are using basic “wearables” that monitor their biological state, and soon the more advanced ones will monitor their psychological state, too. Younger family members and remote medical supervisors will become instantly aware of any significant change in health and respond to emergencies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered smart homes, similar to Alexa, are rapidly how to open doors, activate lights, provide meals and set up remote medical appointments. Hints of “big brother” are looming.

Remarkable technological solutions are also being proposed. Already, older people are using basic “wearables” that monitor their biological state, and soon the more advanced ones will monitor their psychological state, too. Younger family members and remote medical supervisors will become instantly aware of any significant change in health and respond to emergencies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered smart homes, similar to Alexa, are rapidly how to open doors, activate lights, provide meals and set up remote medical appointments. Hints of “big brother” are looming.

To read the rest of this article, see the Kingston Whig Standard….

https://www.thewhig.com/opinion/columnists/lets-keep-triumphing-in-our-quest-to-live-longer-more-active-lives

Susan Young is a certified life coach guiding people through transformation and a mindfulness facilitator  info@susancoach.ca