June 2008

The longevity crisis

by Dr. Eric Plasker

Right now in the United States, there are currently 55,000 people over the age of 100. By 2050 there will be an estimated 4.2 million people over the age of 100, with 60 million people over the age of 80. However, funds for Medicare will run out in 2019, and Social Security will be exhausted by 2041. What can we do to remedy the issues that arise with a longer living population and a society unable to support this growing demographic?

Millions of Americans are suffering the burden of this "longevity crisis" watching their parents and grandparents slowly deteriorate as they live to unanticipated ages of 80, 90, and 100 -- nearly 50 years longer than their anticipated life expectancy. This leads to tremendous financial suffering, health suffering and an unnecessary loss of human potential and resources.

We have a skewed view of longevity because the aging men and women of the Greatest Generation were blindsided by their longevity. Future generations do not need to find themselves in the same situation. The Greatest Generation has now also become the nursing home generation. Our heroes of the World Wars had no idea they were going to live well into their 80s and 90s, so they weren't prepared to properly take care of themselves to ensure a healthy quality of life throughout those extra, unexpected years of life. In addition, members of the Greatest Generation did not know to prepare financially for their longevity.

Our society is set up to support a formulaic 60 to 70 year lifespan. People were supposed to live and work for 60 years, enjoy retirement for two-to-three years and then die. But thanks to medical advances, the Greatest Generation began to enjoy unforeseen years of life. A two-to-three year retirement allowance was no longer enough. Now, as the Baby Boomer Generation begins to work towards retirement, we are well aware that people will live beyond the expected 60 to 70 year lifespan. The longevity crisis is really a longevity opportunity.

The good news is that, according to the MacArthur Foundation, your quality of life throughout your longevity is 30% genetics and 70% lifestyle. And we have the advance notice that our parents and grandparents never received. We know that we will have to decide how we want to live out our older years.

Our current generation of Baby Boomers and their children and grandchildren can live life differently and solve this longevity crisis for themselves and their families. If every family financially anticipates longevity and begins to lead a physically and emotionally healthier lifestyle, there will be a significant reduction of the strain currently placed on Medicare and Social Security funds. Good health is important as you age since healthy people can work longer and have fewer medical costs.

In support of a healthier and more wholesome lifestyle, the importance of "The 100 Year Lifestyle" Healthcare Hierarchy is vital. The Healthcare Hierarchy is comprised of: self care -- making your quality of life a priority; health care --regular visits to doctors and other care specialists; and crisis care --neglecting preventative measures and dealing with a heath crisis only after it arises. Keeping your body and mind functioning at its optimum level through consistent health and self-care will minimize the impact of future health crises. Educate yourself. Eat healthy foods, stay physically active, keep your spine and nervous system aligned and balanced, stay away from cigarettes and other harmful habits, get regular checkups, and guard against accidents every day. By turning these practices into a way of life, you could be waterskiing, playing golf, traveling the world, even working well into your 90s.

The fact is, the top 10 causes of death for men and women are all preventable with the right lifestyle. For example, obesity and obesity related complications are very often preventable with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Take a look at your family's medical history and see what medical conditions and health crises could have been prevented by a healthier lifestyle. You can rewrite your family history through your lifestyle. And remember to pass on your healthier lifestyle to younger generations, because your children will not only inherit your genes, but they will also inherit your lifestyle.

Turning crisis into opportunity

Take some time to reevaluate your future, and take action to turn the longevity crisis into a longevity opportunity. Here are some ways to get on the path of the happy, healthy 100 Year Lifestyle:

***  Take "The 100 Year Lifestyle" Assessment and learn how to customize your extended life immediately.

***  Prioritize self care and health care.

***  Build a health care team rather than just a crisis care team.

***  Nurture your passions. Allow time to de-stress and play.

***  Set longevity goals for your health, finances, relationships, hobbies, community involvement, and work.

***  Rethink retirement. Many companies are using "The 100 Year Lifestyle" principles to reenergize tired talent.

In the year 2000 there were 606 million people age 60 or older, which was 10% of the world's population. By 2050 that number could swell to 1.9 billion people or one fifth of the world's population. The fastest-growing segment of this population is those 80 and over whose numbers could reach 377 million people.

"If it ain't broke don't fix it" was the mantra of the accidental centenarians, or the nursing home generation, who defined "broke" as serious disease. Many of them lived from crisis to crisis. They did not make their self care, and health care a priority, and they did not know how to take care of themselves to ensure their quality of life for 100 years and beyond. Our generation, with our advanced notice, needs to redefine broke as being out of balance.

(Dr. Eric Plasker, an internationally known speaker and chiropractic educator, is the author of "The 100 Year Lifestyle" [www.100yearlifestyle.com] and founder of The Family Practice -- a leading coaching and training organization that provides all the systems, tools and support needed to build a highly successful and profitable family practice. For seminar, coaching, training, or product information, call The Family Practice toll-free at 866-LEAD-DCS [532-3327], ext. 118 or visit the Family Practice website at www.thefamilypractice.net.)