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Community Service Program

More People Are Living Longer

A Senior's Lifestyle May Offer Evidence Of How Healthy They Are

A century ago, only 4% of the U.S. population was 65 years of age and older. In 2006, 12% of Americans fit this category - 37 million people. Today, if a person reaches their 65th birthday, they can expect to live another 18 years.

These are very impressive numbers. Certainly the medical and science communities can take a bunch of the credit. However, some seniors can take a bow, as well. They are the proactive thinkers with a lifestyle that includes physical activity, healthier foods, no substance abuse and less stress. These folks also take preventative measures to avoid illness and catch disease in its early stages. In addition, they take important steps to decrease their risk of injuries, especially from falls.

How many seniors should take the credit? That is a matter of constant study being conducted by health agencies and the medical community.

Vaccines and early illness detection practices are preventative care measures that may be responsible for seniors living longer lives.

Indications Of Health

The National Report Card on Healthy Aging charts key indicators of senior health. The report includes indicators in four categories:

  • Health Status
  • Health Behavior
  • Preventative Care and Screenings
  • Injuries

The report compares data collected in 2003/2004 with targets that were set for 2010. In some cases, seniors were actually 6 years ahead of schedule.

  • Mammogram - 75% had a mammogram done within the last 2 years. (Goal - 70%)
  • Smokers - Down to 9%. (Goal - 12%)
  • Colorectal Cancer Screenings - 63% had a screening. (Goal - 50%)
  • Cholesterol Checks - 90% had checks within the last 5 years. (Goal - 80%)

In other areas, the results were not as good. The indicators in which seniors in 2004 had not met the 2010 goals are:

  • Oral Health - 21% had lost all their teeth. (Goal - 20%)
  • Physical Activity - 32% had no leisure time physical activity in a month. (Goal - 20%)
  • Obesity - 20% are obese. (Goal - 15%)
  • Flu vaccine - 68% had the vaccine in the past year. (Goal - 90%)
  • Pneumonia vaccine - 65% had received the vaccine. (Goal - 90%)
  • Hip fractures - 1,113 women and 558 men hospitalized per 100,000 people. (Goal - 416 women and 474 men)
  • Eating fruits and vegetables - 29.8% ate at least 5 per day. (This is below the goals of any of the groups of fruits or veggies.)

(Sources: CDC.gov, AgingStats.gov., AZHealthInfo.org)