Our Attitude’s Effect on Health, Quality of Life and Aging

Posted on February 7, 2023

If you are of a Certain Age - How are you feeling? Is age really just a state of mind? When it comes to aging, studies suggest people with more positive attitudes about living longer, enjoying healthier lives than those with negative perceptions. Recently, a large nationwide study of nearly 14,000 adults over age 50 took an even deeper look into the ways in which positive thinking about aging could impact a person's physical health, health behaviors and psychological well-being.

Is age really just a state of mind?

When it comes to aging, studies suggest people with more positive attitudes about living longer, enjoying healthier lives than those with negative perceptions. Recently, a large nationwide study of nearly 14,000 adults over age 50 took an even deeper look into the ways in which positive thinking about aging could impact a person's physical health, health behaviors and psychological well-being.

Published in JAMA Network Open[i], the study found those with the highest satisfaction with aging had a 43% lower risk of dying from any cause during four years of follow-up compared to those with the lowest satisfaction. There is a connection between mindsets and health behaviors. People with higher satisfaction:

1. Were more likely to engage in frequent physical activity.

2. Less lonely, less likely to be depressed, more optimistic and had a stronger sense of purpose.

3. Experienced reduced risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes, stroke, cancer and heart disease.

4. Had better cognitive functioning.

5. Were less likely to have trouble sleeping than their less-satisfied peers.

This comes as no surprise – personally an affirmation actually as these last 10 years have been the heathiest, I’ve ever been. As we know, chronological age is the total numbers of years alive, as compared to biological age - how old your body seems based on a variety of factors. While my chronical age falls in the “of a certain age” category, my biological age has me eight years younger.

It pays to have a mindset that it is never too late to try something new or your never too old to explore new interests. Maintaining a sense of purpose such as finding projects that align with personal values also helps. As does remaining socially active. Above all is choosing to reject negative messages about aging.

Research has found that feeling optimistic about life can lessen the burden of chronic pain and possibly reduce the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Staying positive also reduces the risk of developing prolonged depression which often results in poor nutrition, lack of exercise and lack of mental stimulation through socialization with others.

This study also found the more satisfied people over 50 are with how they're aging, the more have likely they'll have their annual screenings tests done for cholesterol as well as for breast, cervical or prostate cancer.

While having a positive attitude can lead to behaviors that promote good health, the opposite is also true. "If people believe poor health is inevitable with age, this can be a self-fulfilling prophecy that keeps them from behaviors that will help with aging.[ii]

Depression has been found to be associated with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and is projected to cost $1.1 trillion by 2050. The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease is 33% among people over 85 years old, the fastest growing segment of the population. While there remains no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, I remain hopeful better tools for early prediction and diagnosis, providing the opportunity to optimize mental fitness while slowing decline.[iii]

That said, the challenges around issues of aging are interrelated with each other. For example, we know that exercise improves mood and makes a person feel more positive which then leads to better health. We also know reducing stress can lead to a more positive attitude which again leads to better health and longevity.

The beauty of understanding this interrelatedness is that even though there are a number of different negative influences that affect the aging process, attacking them one at a time will also mitigate the effect of some or all of the other negative influences.[iv]

One last thought on this topic. It is undeniable as you become a member of the “Certain Age cohort, that death is inevitable. However, that doesn’t seem to make it any easier to talk about or prepare for. Did you know, 13 - 25% of the Medicare budget is spent on the last year of life[v] and many people still do not die where or how they want. One percent of the population will die in any given year, nearly half of those will be people of a certain age, aka – “seniors” or the “elderly”.[vi]

If you are old enough for social security benefits and Medicare, it is so important to make sure you have your plan in place to ensure your medical care expectations are in place. I’ve seen too many families struggle under the burden of having to make decisions about their parent’s, even spouses care when needed and directives are not in place. Without these, the burden of financial implications, and the uncertainty of “not knowing” their loved one’s wishes can and sometimes does, tear a family apart.

Advance directives assure the individuals healthcare expectations and wishes will be honored and respected. Every state allows each of us to designate a trusted person to make healthcare decisions, should I or anyone else as a patient, is unable to do so. Each state has its own set of legal requirements in place. Forms are available online and are relatively easy to put into place. Those who spend a great deal of time in another state (think Florida Snow Birds) should consider signing an advance directive that meets all the legal requirements of that state.

By having advance directives in place and the certainty of knowing my husband and daughter will know my wishes will be honored and respected, is part of that positive attitude of living longer and enjoying a happier life.

[i] Associations Between Satisfaction With Aging and Health and Well-being Outcomes Among Older US Adults. Julia S. Nakamura, BS1; Joanna H. Hong, PhD1,2; Jacqui Smith, PhD3; et al Jama Network Open, 02/09/22.
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] National Care Planning Council. Strategies for Successful Aging. 11/13/2020.
[iv] Ibid.
https://www.longtermcarelink.net/articles/Strategies-for-Successful-Aging.htm
[v] Medicare Cost at End of Life, Ian Duncan, Tamim Ahmed, Henry Dove & Terri L. Maxwell. The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care. 03/18, 2019.
[vi] Thirteen Media With Impact. How Much Do We Spend on End-of-Life Care? https://www.thirteen.org/bid/sb-howmuch.html#:~:text=Medicare%2C%20the%20health%20insurance%20program,their%20final%20year%20of%20life.