Longevity, Health, and Functioning

How long will we live is a question in which many older adults face on a daily basis. Longevity helps with answering the questions in which come up along the way when dealing with the health and functioning of older adults. There are two types of longevity. They are average and maximum longevity. Average longevity is the average life expectancy. Maximum longevity is the oldest age to which an individual lives (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011).

There are two factors influencing longevity, health, and functioning. The two factors are genetics and the environment. Genetic factors can determine whether an older adult will live along time. Studies show someone has the advantage of living a longer life if they have a family history of long-lived individuals (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011).  Environmental factors can be diseases, lifestyles, social class, and environmental toxins. Environmental toxins can be classified as air and water pollution.

Gender differences can have an impact on longevity, health, and functioning. Studies show men live longer than women. Studies also show women have approximately a seven year advantage over men (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011). Some researchers state this is because women have a larger support network, yet others have stated, men are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and have greater stress amounts than women which may ultimately count for gender differences in longevity.

Health is defined as a state of mental, physical, and social well-being, and not just the absence of disease or impairment (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011).  Illness can be defined as a physical or mental disease or impairment. Self-rated health can be a more accurate measure of health than other measures. Men usually tend to rate their health worse than women do (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011). In addition, previous research noted self-rated health is with a strong predictor of illness and mortality.

Quality of life is also an important aspect to consider when talking about health and varies between person to person. Some people find it challenging to rely on someone else to help them with their needs. Researchers look at two types of quality of life. They are health-related quality of life and non-health-related quality of life. Health related quality of life is how an individual’s life is impacted due to health. Non-health-related quality of life focuses on experiences, the environment, and activities which have an impact on the quality of life (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011).

 There are many factors which can help with answering the question of how long people will live. Longevity, health, and functioning can have many interrelated causes which may lead to further understanding of approximately how long an individual can live. Studies of genetic and environmental factors can help with answering the questions of longevity, health, and functioning.

 

References

Cavanaugh, J. C. & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2010). Adult development and aging. Belmont, CA:

            Wadsworth.