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Larson "Enlightened Aging" Skyline slides
1. Enlightened Aging:
Experiencing Old Age as Reward—Not
Punishment—for a Life Well-Lived
A presentation to Skyline at First Hill
Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH
Vice President for Research, Group Health
Executive Director, Group Health Research Institute
May 4, 2015
2. Evangeline Shuler at age 100
Community activist, mother, social
worker, Peace Corps volunteer …
and tango dancer
Group Health member and
research participant
Lived to age 108!
A role model for “enlightened
aging”
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3. What is enlightened aging?
• A hope-filled approach that’s based in the science of growing old
• Combines knowledge of healthy aging with the foresight to use it
• Enlightened aging empowers you to:
1. Prepare well for late life
2. Live well with changes that are a natural part of the aging
process
• A concept that emerged from our research on healthy aging at
Group Health Research Institute
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4. Group Health Research Institute
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• Established in 1983 to oversee
all research at Group Health.
• Non-proprietary, public-interest
research; results are shared in
the public domain.
• Interdisciplinary faculty of
more than 60, including 14
physician scientists.
• 40 affiliate investigators.
• 31 Group Health clinical
associates.
• About 300 other employees
working on 250+ studies.
We do practical research that helps
people everywhere stay healthy and
get the care they need.
5. GHRI’s mission and vision
Mission: To improve health and health care for everyone through
leading-edge research, innovation, and dissemination.
Vision: We envision a future where, through public-domain research
and evaluation:
• We influence health care and policy to benefit all.
• We advance Group Health's capabilities as a learning health
care system.
• We develop the health science leaders of today and tomorrow.
• We are the preferred health research partners for local, national,
and international collaborations.
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8. Research in aging explores…
What are the normal changes (mental and physical) as we age?
What is unusual decline as we age?
How can avoidable decline be minimized?
How can we prevent or delay the onset of chronic diseases or
conditions?
How can we successfully adapt to chronic conditions if they do occur?
How can we help people remain functional and independent as long as
possible?
9. Aging study:
Adult Changes in Thought (ACT)
A research study I’ve been leading at Group Health and UW since 1986
•Objective: To study the frequency and risk factors for dementia
•Has evolved to be a “living laboratory” for studying dementia, aging,
genetics, and more
•Funded by the National Institute on Aging
•The longest running study of its kind—nearly 30 years
•Researchers observe older people over time
•Allows observation of normal and abnormal aging in a group that
represents the larger population
10. ACT’s unique capabilities
The world’s only study that can link outcomes for dementia, frailty, and
aging to data on each participant’s whole health history, including:
•Medical records
•Lab tests
•Pharmacy records
•Extensive brain tissue from autopsies
•DNA and other genetic material
11. Why research on aging matters
Fastest growing segment of our population is the oldest old:
•1980: 720,000 Americans over age 90.
•2010: 1.9 million Americans over age 90
Baby Boomers will create a demographic tsunami:
•From 2010 to 2050, U.S. population aged 65 to 89 is expected to
double.
•In that same period, the total population aged 90 and over will more
than quadruple.
•By the 2040s, the U.S. will see its biggest spike ever in the number
people over age 90. During that decade, the 90-and-older population
will jump 71 percent.
12. Why research on aging matters
Dementia affects:
• 35% of people age 85-90
• 50% of people age 90-95
• 75% of people age 95 and older
Over half of those born today will live to be at least 100 years old.
Much of our research has focused on possible ways to prevent or
delay the onset of dementia.
13. How ACT participants are selected
• Randomly selected
• Must have been enrolled in Group Health for at least two years
• Free of dementia at their enrollment visit
• From the Seattle region
• At least 65 years old; no upper age limit
• We cannot accept volunteers
14. Some findings from ACT study
2003: Exercise training combined with teaching care-givers techniques
for managing behavior improved physical health and depression in
patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
2004: Wearing athletic shoes reduces the risk of falls in older people.
Going barefoot or wearing stockings greatly increases the risk of falls.
2004: People newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease survive about
half as long as those of similar age who do not have the condition.
15. Some findings from ACT study
2006: Seniors who exercise three or more times a week have a
30% to 40% percent lower risk for developing dementia compared with
those who exercise less.
2006: Good physical function is linked to delay in Alzheimer’s disease,
suggesting that re-engaging in physical activity may help to stop or slow
cognitive decline.
16. More findings from ACT
2007: Microscopic injuries to blood vessels in the brain (“micro-
infarcts”) may be responsible for more cases of dementia than
previously recognized. Controlling high blood pressure may lower
the risk of dementia by minimizing micro-infarcts.
2008: Seniors who participate in Group Health’s fitness programs
have lower health care costs.
2009: Anti-inflammatory pain relievers like ibuprofen do not
prevent AD in older people.
2010: Hospitalization for acute illness is linked to greater cognitive
decline for older adults.
17. More findings from ACT
2011: The most common kind of chronically irregular heartbeat
(atrial fibrillation) is associated with a greater risk of dementia,
including Alzheimer's disease.
2011: Depression at age 50 or older is linked to an increase in
dementia and may be an early sign of the condition.
2013: High blood sugar levels averaged over a five-year period
were associated with rising risks for dementia, even among people
who do not have diabetes.
2015: Long-term use of high doses of anticholinergic drugs such
as Benadryl were linked to greater risk of dementia.
18. Looking forward: ACT will advance
genetics and brain science
ACT data is being used in genetics research and brain science,
nationally and internationally:
• Studies at UW and elsewhere may help us better understand the
genetic roots of Alzheimer’s and other diseases.
• Research with the Paul G. Allen Brain Institute may help us
better understand the lasting effects of traumatic brain injuries.
• Meanwhile, research into healthy aging continues with renewed
funding from the National Institute on Aging.
19. Don’t believe myths about aging!
Myth #1: There’s no “magic bullet” to fight the effects of aging.
• But exercise is the next best thing!
Myth #2: Aging is NOT an inevitable downward spiral.
•There’s now a greater chance of avoiding disability. Example:
• # of people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is
growing, but the percentage of very old with these
conditions is actually dropping!
• Greater percent of very old people with Alzheimer’s
disease and dementia are staving off symptoms until just
a year or two before they die.
20. Don’t believe myths about aging!
What’s behind this “compression” of aging?
•Advances in education and health care
•Improved treatment of cardiovascular disease
•Reduction in smoking
Obesity epidemic and more diabetes could wipe out these gains.
But healthy lifestyles and better health care can turn the tide!
There’s cause for optimism: You can take steps to prevent or postpone
disability until well into late life.
21. Don’t believe myths on aging!
Myth #3: Young people are happier than old people. Not true!
•2006 study published in the Journal of Happiness.
• VA researchers surveyed two groups:
• one younger (average age 31)
• one older (average age 68)
• Which group did participants believe to be happier? “The
youngsters,” they said.
• But when they asked both groups to rate their own well being,
they found the older group was the happier bunch!
•Many other studies have reached the same conclusion:
• The happiness “U Curve”: Happiness dips in mid-life, then
rises again.
• People generally get happier in their 70s and 80s.
22. What leads to well being as we age?
Resilience
Resilience is the ability to adapt to stress and adversity.
Demonstrated in three interrelated abilities:
1.Activation: Taking an active role in your own health and well being
2.Accepting change, not denying or ignoring it
3.Building your reserves: Mentally, physically, and socially
23. Activate: Take an active role in
your own health and well being
Take charge of your health by preventing illness and managing
chronic conditions:
•Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
•Avoid excessive alcohol use
•Maintain a healthy weight
•Exercise regularly
•Manage stress by learning to cope with problems
Partner with your health care providers to take care of yourself :
•“Shared decision-making” about your care
•Avoiding over-treatment, over-prescribing
24. Accept change: Approach aging
with equanimity and mindfulness
What do older people want most? Research shows:
•Longevity? Not so much.
•Meaning, fulfillment, purpose
•Strong relationships with friends and family
•The ability to continue contributing through work, volunteerism,
hobbies
•Independence (“I don’t want to be a burden to others.”)
When you plan for the changes aging brings, keep these values in
mind.
25. Build your reserves mentally,
physically, and socially
Staving off of disability requires four inter-related functions:
1.Cognitive function (Remember: The brain relies on whole-body
health, especially avoiding heart disease and stroke.)
2.Mobility (Takes balance, bone strength, and muscle strength)
3.Hearing
4.Vision
Preserve, protect, and enhance these functions by staying active
mentally, physically, and socially.
We’re like athletes in a marathon. We need resources all the way to
the finish line!
26. Healthy aging before age 40
• Build bone density (calcium, vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise)
• Avoid sports injuries
• Protect your hearing
• Protect yourself from skin cancer (wear sunscreen, no tanning
booths)
• Practice safe sex
• Women: Get pap tests to screen for cervical cancer
• Strike a balance between work and family
27. Healthy aging in your 40s and 50s
• Have a primary care doctor you know and trust
• Be an “activated patient”
• Be familiar with your medical record
• Learn about your medical risks from a trusted source
• Ask your doctor questions
• Actively pursue wellness
• Learn about menopause
• Manage cholesterol levels
• Get breast and colorectal cancer screening based on individual risk
28. Healthy aging in your 60s and 70s
• Seek meaningful activities (Keep working? Retire early? Volunteer?
What’s your passion?)
• Build muscle strength through daily exercise and activity
• Know your medications and medication options.
• Talk with your doctor about how your medications affect you –
especially if you decide to stopping taking a medication.
• Test for hearing problems
• Get regular eye exams
• Prepare for end-of-life care; have a “Living Will”
29. Healthy aging in your 80s
• Socialize!
• Stay physically active
• Welcome help from family and friends
• Avoid falls
• Correct for poor vision; make sure rooms are well lit
• Wear lace up/Velcro shoes with non-slip soles; avoid high heels
• Talk to your doctor about eliminating drugs that affect balance
• Use canes or walkers if needed
• Avoid too much alcohol
• Eliminate loose electric cords and throw rugs
• Use handholds in bathrooms
30. Healthy aging in your 90s
STAY THE COURSE!
• Keep moving, keep socializing, celebrate life!
The year was 2006: Our research team just had identified a key factor in staving off some of the most feared conditions of aging—Alzheimer’s disease and its related dementia.
Our solution: Regular exercise for at least fifteen minutes, three times a week.
A local TV news station called and wanted to interview one of our study participants the next day. “No problem,” I said, “I’ll introduce you to Evangeline Shuler.”
“Van”, as her friends and family called her, was a delightful, 100-year-old study volunteer who had visited our research clinic every two years for check-ups.
But there was a problem. “I can’t make it tomorrow,” Van said. “I’m leaving for Buenos Aires—to go to the annual tango festival!”
Thenews crew started scrambling, so they could meet Van at our clinic that afternoon. She came by city bus, donned her dancing shoes, and demonstrated her tango moves for the television cameras.
Remarkably, she lived another seven years after that interview.
Add “ extensive brain autopsy information (Neuropathology)”
Extensive genomic data and evetually other –omics.
Build bone density. Women typically lose bone density following menopause. But most bone density accumulates during your early years, so you need adequate calcium and vitamin D; weight-bearing exercise
Avoid sports injuries. Injuries to the head, muscles, bones, and joints can result in chronic health problems later on.
Protect your hearing. Hearing loss can be cumulative, caused by exposure to loud noise over time. Wear ear protection at loud concerts or around loud machinery.
Protect yourself from skin cancer. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Tanning booths and sunlamps emit ultraviolet radiation and can cause skin damage, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Practice safe sex. Avoiding multiple partners and consistently using condoms.
Women’s health screening. A Pap test to screen for cervical cancer every two to three years.
Strike a balance between work and family. Juggling career and family pressures can be tricky at this age. Find a routine that allows time for fun, friendship, and physical activity. Doing so can prevent a host of problems, including marital distress, depression, and stress-related illness.
Have a primary care doctor you know and trust. That way, you’ll be prepared to make decisions together as health issues arise.
Be an activated patient. People actively involved in learning about and managing their health have better outcomes. Learn to access your medical record so you can have informed conversations with your doctor. Find credible, objective, up-to-date sources of health information. (Try your health plan’s Web site )
Pursue rehabilitation and wellness aggressively. Healing may be slower from now on. So be more conscious about pursuing ways for getting better. If you injure a limb, get a treatment plan right away and try to regain function quickly. If you catch a cold, take time to rest and recover so it doesn’t develop into a bacterial infection that lingers.
Learn about menopause. Learn all you can about signs so you can make informed decisions about managing bothersome changes.
Manage your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease, stroke, and coronary artery disease. Prevent high cholesterol with regular exercise, a healthy diet, and no smoking. Get total cholesterol test every five years for men between the ages of 40 and 65; and for women between the ages of 50 and 65—although this may vary based on individual risk factors.
Mammograms and CRC screening. Based on your individual risk.
Seek meaningful activity. Meaningful work and activities can help you to avoid depression from the losses that inevitably occur with age.
Know your medication and medication options. Learn about your drugs. Are you taking what’s best for you, or most aggressively promoted? Does it interact with other drugs, alcohol, or food? Can your condition also be managed through changes in diet or exercise? Talk about these issues with your primary care doctor.
Build muscle strength. Consider joining an exercise class designed specifically for seniors. Yoga, swimming, golf, and walking are also great ways to stay strong and active.
Test for hearing problems. Hearing loss can cause people to feel socially isolated, leading to depression. Uncorrected, it can even hasten the onset of dementia. most hearing problems are easily managed with hearing aids.
Get regular eye exams. Vision also declines more rapidly at this age, which can put you at risk for falls and other accidents. It can also limit reading and travel, leading to a sense of isolation and depression. Get your eyes checked annually, replace your glasses, and get other treatment when needed.
Prepare for end-of-life care. Clarify values about life-sustaining treatment and to make your wishes known to family members and doctors. Complete advance directives such as a “Living Will”—a written order that becomes part of your medical record. Get info through your health plan, your lawyer, or senior rights organizations.
Avoid falls, which can result in debilitating injuries—especially hip fractures.
Socialize. Maintaining regular contact with friends and family members will help to keep you physically active and mentally sharp. The ability to make new friends at this age is especially valuable. Nurture friendships at clubs, exercise groups, church, etc.
Stay physically active. Do something every day to maintain your muscle strength and conditioning. Senior exercise classes, swimming, and mall walking are great choices. If illness or injury slows you down, make rehabilitation a top priority.
Let friends and family help you. Although many people remain quite sharp well into their eighties, others begin to experience steep declines in mental functioning at this age. This can put you at risk for preventable injuries or complications of chronic illness. Staying healthy and happy often requires allowing others to help you with issues such as transportation, cooking, getting medical care, and other functions of daily life. If you need more support than friends and family can provide, contact your local senior service center.
Stay the course. You’re obviously doing something right. So keep moving, keep socializing, and celebrate your life. Longevity is a fine achievement.