Older Adults - Let's Walk This Walk Together

The average life expectancy on planet earth has risen from 47 to 69 and is expected to increase to 75 by 2025. Subsequently we will see a rise in the world population from 7.1 billion to 9.6 billion by 2050. This is due to a host of different factors ranging from less child mortalities all the way to medical technologies preventing death in older adults. This is where my interest lies. Death is a topic which we all will experience at some point in the duration of our lives. It may be today, it may be tomorrow, hopefully long in the future when we are content with our live’s achievements. However as we become older, our human body naturally begins to decline in function. Therefore the question I will ask is with an ever growing older global population, how do we maintain the body in a sustainable manner and quality of life is ensured ?

Ageing is a natural process and therefore the decline of the body’s functionality is too. This partly results in a large percentage of older adults suffering from chronic diseases, resulting in a serious health issue. 80% of the American population, who are aged 65 years and over, have one chronic disease, while 50% have two or more. Examples of these diseases include coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, respiratory diseases and some cancers. This ultimately results in an an increase in health care expenditure for older adults. A dependent American older adult costs $5000 greater per year compared to an older adult who lives independently. Can governments and societies afford to care for older adults who are dependent on health care provisions ? After all this issue will only get progressively worse as the rise in Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) increases in younger populations, leading to long term management throughout the rest of their adult lives. 

Flickr: theseoduke

The answer is no. I wish the answer to the question, was as easy as providing a solution. 

There are a range of theories in how to tackle this area. Of course adapting a healthy lifestyle, in relation to diet, exercise, alcohol and tobacco consumption, throughout life is recommended. However generally speaking the major lifestyle factor which decreases throughout the lifespan of an individual is physical activity.  This same life style factor if maintained throughout life and older adulthood is believed to have a large positive effect on reducing the risk factors of chronic diseases, improving balance, decreasing falls and psychological benefits such as a greater self esteem and mood. 

The associated health benefits with participating in regular physical activity (BMA, 2012)

The WHO currently recommends that older adults should aim to achieve at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. This includes muscle strengthening activities, along with activities to improve balance and coordination. Unfortunately the recommendations are a stark contrast compared to the reality. 

Research in the UK has found that only 21% of men and 20% of women aged between 65 and 74 meet the recommended levels of physical activity, which decrease to 13% of men and to 4% of women when aged over 75. The bleak statistics continue with data concluding that 51% of men and 46% of women aged 65 to 74, participate in less than 20 minutes of PA each week. So how do we improve physical activity levels among older adults to prevent or alleviate the symptoms of these chronic diseases ?

The majority of intervention studies which have focused on this health challenge in developed countries, have attempted to enhance physical activity through the use of walking groups. This is where older adults will meet in a public area and walk in a group under supervised conditions. This not only facilitates physical activity but also allows social interaction which enhances the enjoyability of participation. You can see real examples of these in the ‘‘Health Walks’’ which are publicly funded by Glasgow Life.

Flickr: tlmills

However regardless of the available health initiatives which are available to older adults to achieve optimum physical health status, there are still many barriers surrounding this activity amongst this age group. There are many older adults who fear that physical activity may exacerbate a pre existing condition. They may fear that they will fall over and break a bone. They may fear that they will exert themselves too much a drop down dead. They may not live in an area which is a particularly nice setting to walk in due to fears of crime. There are also gender issues with males being more physically active than women, minority ethnic groups and lower socioeconomic backgrounds participating less. The list goes on. 

The concept of ageing is riddled with negative connotations. There are strong stereotypes of older adults being frail, lonely, unproductive and dependent on others. Older adult’s opinions are generally ignored regarding the exact issue of ageing and PA. Sociologists would argue that ‘old age’ is socially constructed and being physically active during older adulthood, results in a productive body, which is a cost effective body. After all, older adults contribute £40 billion a year to the UK economy through voluntary work and family care.

CAUTION ! Older adults ! Flickr: optotraffic

In conclusion to ensure the ever growing older global population bodies continue later life in a sustainable manner and quality of life is ensured, then physical activity must be widely available to all older adults. Walking groups is just one example touched upon in this article. Whatever shape future physical activity interventions may present themselves, they must encompass breaking down some of the social and psychological barriers which prevent older adults from participating in physical activity. This is the only way we will get stronger, fitter and faster older adults. This subsequently will prevent or alleviate the symptoms of those suffering from NCDs and lower future health care costs amongst this age group. 

So let's walk this walk together and ensure older adults age in the best environment possible.