Better overall health 65-year-old today fitter than the previous generation

Today 65-year-olds are much fitter than the previous generation

The people in Germany are not only getting older, they also stay fit and healthy longer. According to a recent study, 65-year-olds today are better physically and mentally than those of the previous generation. In addition, the genome of the baby boomer shows greater life satisfaction.

Seniors today are physically and mentally fitter

The life expectancy of Germans is rising and rising. While it is not granted to all to stay fit and healthy until old age, many seniors today are physically and mentally fitter than peers in the past few decades. This is also reflected in the results of a study by the University of Heidelberg.

Anyone who is in their mid-60s not only feels younger, but usually has a better overall health than their peers did 20 years ago. (Photo: Robert Kneschke / fotolia.com)

Better overall health

Anyone who is in their mid-60s not only feels younger, but usually also has a better overall health status than their peers did 20 years ago - plus greater life satisfaction.

This is one of the current results of the Interdisciplinary Longitudinal Study of Adulthood (ILSE), which was started in 1993 at the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Heidelberg, the university reported in a statement.

The current wave of investigation in the study has now been completed. Also involved were researchers from the University Hospital Heidelberg and the University of Leipzig.

Very broad base of health parameters

One of the special features of the long-term study is that the participants belong to two different generations - the birth cohorts 1930 to 1932 and 1950 to 1952. This way, their paths to old age can be followed in parallel and comparisons made.

The study builds on a very broad base of health parameters. These include life history, psychological and psychiatric as well as medical and dental aspects.

In addition, the researchers collected data on sensory performance and everyday competencies of the participants.

Personal attitude towards aging

"We have found that mild cognitive impairment as a risk syndrome for Alzheimer's dementia is currently less common than in peers twenty years ago," said Prof. Dr. med. Hans-Werner Wahl of the Psychological Institute of the University of Heidelberg.

"There is also an improvement in neuropsychological performance - an effect that points to an overall better overall health status," says the expert.

"The results show that today's 65-year-olds are better physically and mentally. Such a good state of health at this age level has historically never existed, "emphasized Prof. Dr. med. Johannes Schröder, Head of Gerontopsychiatric Research at the University Hospital Heidelberg.

In the words of Hans-Werner Wahl, the generation of so-called baby boomers gets what they need with a completely different purpose than the previous generation.

That depends, so the psychologist, not least with personal attitudes towards aging, which are associated with a greater life satisfaction. The study also confirms the important role of social relationships in "good aging".

Improve quality of life in middle and older age

The findings of the Interdisciplinary Longitudinal Study serve to improve the understanding of aging.

However, scientists also believe that they have a far-reaching significance for the development of preventative measures that can improve the quality of life in middle and older adulthood and prevent gerontopsychiatric disorders.

"The ILSE data underscore that lifelong cognitive deficits and physical activity are particularly relevant when mental and functional loss occurs in old age," said Dr. Christine Sattler from the Psychological Institute.

"An inspiring and active lifestyle early in life, so to speak, pays off late in life," said the expert. (Ad)