Science & Technology UK (Commonwealth Union) – In many societies across all corners of the world, longevity and health have often been linked to healthy eating, residing in a healthy environment with clean air and less pollution together with continuous engagement with family and society. The disengagement from society has often been seen by many elderly persons as loss of will to continue existing.
New research has indicated that people 95-years old and over still desire to be included society and enjoy a level of independence, even though they have a more limited interaction with the world.
The study, conducted by a team at the University of York and Newcastle University, evaluated the lives of 23 people from Newcastle, UK, as a component of a 10-year follow-up study to the Newcastle 85+ study, which was an observational study covering decades, monitoring the experiences of individuals born in 1921.
Researchers noted that there were 5 key components in sustaining a positive attitude to life after the age of 95, the one with greatest significance was having a sense of independence, even if it meant reframing what independence is to them. Other areas were having the ability to reflect on prior achievements; being in control of when they require assistance from family, being outwardly presentable, as well as normalizing the effects of ill health.
“People in the UK are living longer than ever before and as such it is important that we understand the experiences of older age so that society can support them, but also afford them the dignity that comes with independence,” explained Professor Joy Adamson, from the University of York, Department of Health Sciences further indicating that they noted that participants in the research saw themselves as content with life, In spite their world becoming smaller, and in poor health with other issues, they had the ability to seek pleasure in the smaller things of their daily routines and events.
“Being independent came through strongly as a way of explaining their continued passion for life, and was strongly equated to feelings of dignity and youth. A bit of risk-taking, particularly with their health, was also important in order to keep their autonomy, particularly with family, where children had now become the carer,” said Professor Adamson.
As a sense of loss was indicated, which included the inability to enjoy activities they used to, such as sports, where participants gave examples of how they found workarounds, like going to see a local club play the sport they used to enjoy.
Family relationships, were noted as the, the most complex problem and the participants that felt most content were those that had decided on their own care and when to seek assistance and when to ignore advice their children or grandchildren gave them.
“Striving for independence sometimes meant risk-taking, even in ill health, where some participants resisted care, such as wearing emergency buzzers, because they considered the risk of a potential injury or becoming unwell in the home to be preferable to not having authority over their own lives,” said Professor Adamson further indicating that this was significant as it prompts us to re-evaluate ways the oldest in society look at safety and risk, which can be at odds with care providers.
The participants further indicated that even in serious ill-health, accepting it as ‘normal’ assisted them to minimize its impact on their lives.
The researchers hope to provide voices to an age-range that is less heard of and provide knowledge into their experiences requiring consideration as the population lives longer. The researchers further argued that increased studies into older persons have the requirement of focusing on individuals aged 90+ and not just those in the age-range of 65 to 80.
