Longevity Research with Good Results
The Daily Mail has carried some good news. That’s a headline in itself when a daily tabloid has something other than bad news for us!
They were reporting on some Danish research which suggests it may not all be doom and gloom when we reach our 90s. The research was earlier reported in the respected medical journal The Lancet.
The research project involved two large groups of Danes; one group were born in 1905 and the second in 1915. Both groups were questioned and tested at roughly the same age but ten years apart. The tests included mental and physical tests, grip strength and their ability to walk outside.
Those born in 1915 were two years older than the other group when tested and yet they did better. They were mentally sharper and also found everyday living easier.
The official results say
- The chances of surviving to 93 years old was higher by 28% in those born later (1915)
- While the same group had a 32% chance of surviving until they were 95
- This group also scored better by some way in the mental tests
- With a higher proportion getting maximum scores – 23% to 13%
- Again this group received better cognitive scores too
- The two groups didn’t score noticeably differently in the physical tests
The researchers suggest this might mean the later you are born the better your chances of such longevity and keeping your mental and physical faculties. Of course they would like to see if this is true in other countries and not just Denmark.
DEMENTIA Research in England
Meanwhile a study carried out here (published in the Lancet this week) suggests that dementia in the over 60s has decreased from what earlier predictions suggested. The findings were the results of questioning two groups of approximately 7,500 over 65s. There was a lesser incidence of dementia than expected. The proportion had dropped from an expected 8.3% to 6.5% of those questioned in 2011.
Of course this is recent research. Who knows what effects the current financial strain will put up on pensioners now who will not reach their 90’s for another 25 – 30 years. Changes to diet may make a big change but then continuing to work beyond current pensionable ages due to new rulings could be beneficial. It could keep us mentally and physically more active.
Maybe we can look forward to a better old age. The longer we live the more likely we might need a little extra support to help us up the stairs, so if you want to know how much a stairlift costs, then give us a call or use the contact form here.