It might sound like a simple question, but it’s one of the greatest challenges facing aged care today: Can you stay healthy as you age? Experts refer to this as ‘late-life health,’ and with Australia’s ageing population and the rising costs associated with aged care, this is a question not only for government policymakers but for each of us.
The benefits of maintaining health as we age are obvious—no one wants to experience declining health. Poor health often means a loss of independence and an increase in medical expenses.
Think of health like a rubber band. The longer it’s stretched, the harder it is to return to its original shape. Eventually, it never fully returns, and we’re left to adapt to a ‘new normal.’ For many Australians over 70, a pain-free day can feel like a rare and cherished gift, a brief moment to remember what it was like to have a body that once felt limitless.
We all recall the feeling of having ‘legs like coiled springs’ in our youth. But as time passes, we need to consider what we can do to maintain our health as we age, especially if we’re fortunate enough to avoid serious diseases.
The late Professor Alan Owen’s research sheds light on growing trends in this area. Although Professor Owen himself passed away from multiple myeloma in 2012, his work as a leader in health policy with the Department of Health and Office on Ageing remains influential. His studies highlighted an increase in chronic diseases among Australia’s ageing population, a trend that has sparked debate among both sceptics and old-timers alike.
Some argue that the rise in chronic diseases is due to environmental pollution and food additives, while others point to better screening and diagnosis. Regardless of the cause, Professor Owen’s findings reveal that as Australians live longer, they face a higher risk of developing chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
The logic may seem counterintuitive—shouldn’t advance in medicine reduce our risk of serious illness? In fact, it’s a bit like a battlefield. Modern medicine has become adept at dealing with smaller threats, but the bigger, more serious diseases are still out there, waiting to strike.
Professor Owen’s research also emphasised that physical inactivity and weight gain are major contributors to the increasing burden of chronic disease in Australia’s older population. This isn’t new advice—remember the iconic ‘Life, Be In It’ ads with Norm urging us to get off the couch and move?
But understanding the fight against chronic disease requires more than just a focus on medicine. We need to consider the broader context, including social factors and politics. Research shows that social structure, diet, and exercise can significantly impact health outcomes. For instance, studies comparing London civil servants with Kenyan nomads found stark differences in blood pressure averages, driven by lifestyle and cultural differences.
To improve the health of our ageing population, we need to look beyond medical solutions and consider societal changes. Our increasingly sedentary lifestyles, punctuated by short bursts of intense exercise, are linked to higher cancer risks compared to more active and varied daily routines.
Spending hours sitting at a desk, driving in a car, and then squeezing in a quick workout doesn’t have the same benefits as incorporating small, frequent changes in activity throughout the day. Our bodies are designed to function continuously, not in stop-start patterns.
The key to maintaining late-life health appears to be diversity—breaking free from the routines that dominate modern life, like endless TV watching or constant driving, can significantly reduce the chances of succumbing to serious diseases as we age. In the end, it’s not just about inventing better drugs; it’s about changing the way we live.
