Ever heard the phrase “Live long and prosper”? To Star Trek fans, it’s a familiar greeting… in synagogues, a blessing… and to all humankind, a heartfelt wish. As the president of the International Longevity Center and a professor of geriatrics, I’m often asked how people can live longer. My suggestions — based on common sense and supported by decades of experience as a researcher — are simple and practical.
1. Beware of ageist attitudes. Ageism is a deep-seated prejudice against people of advanced years, analogous to sexism or racism. This negative bias is based on an underlying fear of growing old, becoming incapacitated and then dying. Ageism that you direct toward yourself can damage your own well-being, especially if you equate the physical attributes of youth with personal self-worth. When you blast yourself for being an “ugly old crone” or for having a “senior moment,” your self-esteem suffers — and self-esteem is closely tied to health.
A doctor’s ageism can be harmful, too. For instance, breast cancer therapies offered to older women tend to be less aggressive than those recommended for younger women, even though the results can be as good.
Example: If your doctor is prejudiced (as some are), he/she may rationalize, “This patient is old, so I don’t have to do as much” — seriously compromising your health care.
Long-life strategy: Find a primary-care doctor who is sensitive to the issues facing older people. A geriatrician (a doctor who specializes in older adults) is most appropriate if you have health problems and are over age 65.
Referrals: National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. Geriatricians are in very short supply, however — so if none has a practice in your area, interview family physicians or internists until you find one who demonstrates interest by completing continuing medical education courses related to older adults.
Helpful: Ask your senior friends for the names of physicians they trust.
2. Have (or be) a health-care traffic cop. As people get older, they are likely to develop various health conditions that require care from different medical specialists. If you’re seeing an ophthalmologist, a rheumatologist, a cardiologist and a physical therapist, each may focus on his own area of concern — and not communicate well (or at all) with the others. Such fragmentation in medical care can cause problems, including potentially dangerous drug interactions if doctors don’t keep track of medications prescribed by other physicians… treatment protocols that work against each other … and missed information about a patient’s history and treatments. Ask your primary-care doctor to coordinate all the various aspects of your medical care — and to be safe, be sure to take an active role yourself.
Long-life strategy: Keep a detailed, up-to-date list of all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and dietary and herbal supplements you take. Include the name of each product… strength and dosage… reason for taking it… and the names and phone numbers of all your doctors. Bring this list with you to all of your medical appointments, and review it with your health-care providers, especially whenever the list changes.
3. Connect across the generations. Social connections are vital throughout life — but especially as people age. If you become ill or are injured but have no one to look out for you, that clearly has a negative impact on your well-being. Studies show that people who are socially integrated into their communities are not only healthier than reclusive people, they also are happier. Don’t limit your social life to your peers. Younger people can provide a fresh perspective plus practical assistance with hard-to-handle tasks, while older folks have invaluable wisdom to share.
Long-life strategy: Stay in touch with family, friends and neighbors of all ages. Be active in a worship community or in local politics… join a club or service organization in your community… take a class at a nearby college… or become a mentor for a younger person starting a career in your field.
4. Take a hike. It doesn’t have to be a trek in the woods — a brisk walk through the mall is just as beneficial. Walking and other forms of weight-bearing exercise (activities in which your body must support its own weight) can keep bones strong and help to prevent osteoporosis.
Long-life strategy: I strongly recommend that you join a local walking club. Walking with other people is safer than walking alone, and you’re more likely to stick with it when you know the group is expecting you. You’ll hardly think of it as exercise because you’ll be having so much fun with friends — an excellent prescription for a long and healthy life.
