China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Ageing – the biology of growing old
Published in David Beales, Michael Denham, Alistair Tulloch, Community Care of Older People, 2018
There are a number of predictions for the maximum length of life of the human species. Olshansky2 has reviewed the current evidence and argues that as the actuarial estimate of average life expectancy approaches 80 years, large reductions in the death rate are required to produce even marginal increases in mean lifespan. Some demographers have estimated that life expectancy will soon approach 100 years but these estimates are based on unrealistic changes in human behaviour and mortality patterns. However, even though Olshansky2 claims that there is no indication that humans can have a maximum lifespan much greater than 110 years, a Frenchwoman, Jeanne Calment recently died at the age of 122 years. This is a milestone in the survival of humankind and fuels the belief that breakthroughs in molecular and cellular biology will permit the extension of the average, and ultimately our maximum lifespan. It is also clear that unless there is a parallel reduction in the disabling diseases of later life, by a simultaneous compression of morbidity, the quality of our prolonged existence may be poor.
The Geriatrician
Published in Stefano Federici, Marcia J. Scherer, Assistive Technology Assessment Handbook, 2017
Martina Pigliautile, Lorenza Tiberio, Patrizia Mecocci, Stefano Federici
During the last few decades, different scenarios have been proposed concerning the patterns of health trends in older people resumed by Jagger (2000): The compression of morbidity theory suggests that disease and disability will become compressed into a short period before death if changes in lifestyle delay the age at onset and the progression of nonfatal disabling diseases (Fries, 1980).The opposite view, namely the expansion of morbidity theory, proposes that living longer implies living with a disabling disease such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, vision and hearing loss, and arthritis (Kramer, 1980).The third theory supports a dynamic equilibrium between an increase in the number of years lived with a disability and the number of years lived with a less severe disability (Manton, 1982).
The aging body
Published in Jennifer R. Sasser, Harry R. Moody, Gerontology, 2018
Jennifer R. Sasser, Harry R. Moody
For more than three decades, both scientists and the public have been fascinated by the idea of compression of morbidity, proposed by Dr James F. Fries, a Stanford University physician. The idea of compression of morbidity is that people could remain healthy up until the last month or year of life, then die rapidly of natural causes. The record since then has been ambiguous: some people do live – and die – according to a compression of morbidity model, but others experience a prolongation of morbidity, for example, being saved from a heart attack at age 75 only to linger for years with dementia or other conditions.
An epidemiological profile of communication disability among older adults with complex needs: A national cross-sectional study
Published in International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 2019
Megan J. McAuliffe, Philip J. Schluter, Hamish A. Jamieson
Alongside increases in global ageing, real challenges exist in the compression of morbidity and functional impairment (Crimmins & Beltrán-Sánchez, 2011), so that as individuals live longer, they can do so in relatively good health. Internationally, health care policies and systems are responding by increasingly aiming to develop integrated and person-centred services that cross-service boundaries (Graham et al., 2013; Royal College of Physicians, 2012; Schluter, Hamilton, et al., 2016). The vision for such an approach centres on enabling people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible, with an interconnected structure supporting them to live well and take greater responsibility for their own health (Gullery & Hamilton, 2015). For this approach to be successful, adequate communication between all parties is vital.
Social capital components and social support of persons with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2018
Published in Disability and Rehabilitation, 2020
Eleni Koutsogeorgou, Antonio M. Chiesi, Matilde Leonardi
Currently, the health of the global population is in a state of transition, as ageing and chronic diseases are increasing, along with the so-called “compression of morbidity”. The European population, in particular, faces an unprecedented ageing process, given the increased life expectancy in combination with reduced fertility rates, while by the year 2050 persons over 60 years old are expected to represent more than one fifth of the overall population [1,2]. Increased life expectancy leads to a higher frequency of non-communicable diseases and to a subsequent increase on the burden associated with these conditions [2,3]. Among chronic conditions, neurological conditions represent the highest burden in terms of years lived with disability as reported by the Global Burden of Diseases [3]. Regarding multiple sclerosis (MS) in particular, it has been found that complexity and multidimensionality exist in the daily lives of people living with this condition [4]. It has been also argued that functioning and disability of persons with MS can only be understood by considering environmental and personal factors [4]. Moreover, the World Health Organization [5] has acknowledged social barriers, such as social stigma, and the detrimental consequences these issues may have on health and well-being, including functioning restrictions pertaining social participation and social relationships. Social isolation has been identified as a strong determinant of poor health and neurological changes, and it has been argued that since social networks influence health, mapping and monitoring social networks of neurology patients can be utilized for therapeutic purposes by health professionals whilst simultaneously improving understanding of their health behaviors and create sustainable change in their lives [6]. Consequently, the identification of factors influencing social relationships of persons with MS could also improve their health and well-being. Notions relevant to social relationships include social capital and social support.