Except for dementia, even very old people are happier

Among the most praised psychological research in recent years is Stanford professor Laura Carstensen's work on happiness and aging. Through her studies, Carstensen has found that, contrary to popular opinion that young people are the happiest, people generally become happier as they age.

Even the oldest of the old can be truly contented, according to research presented today at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Assn. The fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population are people over age 85. A study by Susan Turk Charles of UC Irvine reviewed several studies on aging and mental health. Except for people with dementia-related diseases, mental health generally keeps improving with age, Charles found.

Carstensen's work suggests that as people age, they have better emotional control and are less likely to despair over life's bumpy moments. Research also shows that social relationships influence stress management.

Carstensen, who also spoke at the APA meeting today, has a new book detailing her findings entitled, "A Long Bright Future," (Broadway Books). Here are a few of her tips:

• Envision ways to thoroughly enjoy the years that lie ahead and imagine what it would be like to live a healthy, happy 100 years.
• Design your social and physical environments -- home, spending habits, eating habits -- so that your daily routine enforces your goals.
• Diversify your expertise and activities to avoid putting your social investments into only your spouse, children or job.

-- Shari Roan

 

Comments

[Dr. Nussbaum]

The baby boom generation is certainly more focused on personal health than prior generations, there is more attention to diet and exercise, doctors are treating older individuals aggressively with advanced interventions, and genetics all play a role with living longer.

Japan will have the most centenarians in 2050 with 627,000 or 1% of their total population. Greece, Italy, Monaco, and Singapore will also have high numbers of those living to 100. The United States centenarians will increase from 75,000 to more than 600,000 by 2050. These are persons currently described as baby boomers and there will certainly be increased health care costs related to this demographic shift.
Dr Nussbaum
http://www.fitbrains.com

This demographic shift will have enormous impact across all sectors of life and across the globe.