NCD Watch

Ageing Well and Optimal Golden Years

30 Mar 2015 (Mon)

The population is ageing, both globally and locally. In step with population ageing, disease burden from age-dependent chronic diseases is projected to increase. In Hong Kong, the Thematic Household Survey conducted during October 2011 to January 2012 reported that nearly three in four (73.7%) people aged 65 and above had chronic health conditions as told by practitioners of Western medicine, including hypertension (46.0%), diabetes mellitus (20.0%), heart diseases (9.8%), cancer (3.5%) and stroke (3.2%). Another Thematic Household Survey conducted in 2008 also found that about two-fifths (40.6%) of people aged 60 and above residing in domestic households had two or more chronic diseases (including those that did not require regular medical treatment).

Although the risk of developing chronic diseases and associated disability increases as people get older, this does not mean that the loss of functional capacity is an inevitable consequence of ageing. In fact, many of the causes of chronic ill health or disability are the result of accumulated lifestyle and other risks much earlier in life. For example, unhealthy lifestyles such as excessive intake of saturated fat and salt; and reduced physical activity during childhood and adolescence may lead to high blood pressure in adulthood, thus increasing the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke in older age. Conversely, adoption of healthier lifestyles was associated with not only an increase in lifespan, but also an increase in health span. Therefore, individuals are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle in earlier stages of life to enjoy healthy ageing.

Here are the things that we can and should do for a healthy old age:

• Do not smoke
• Be physically active
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet
• Maintain an optimal body weight and waist circumference
• Avoid alcohol
• Get adequate sleep
• Keep mentally active
• Think positively and manage stress
• Maintain close ties with families, friends and the community
• Prevent accidents and injuries
• Pay attention to good oral health
• Use medications safely
• Get appropriate preventive medical and health services