Tucson Retirement Community’s Institute Reveals 2010 Trends for Older Adults

Jan. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- Medical breakthroughs and technological advances—in combination with healthy lifestyles—will help improve the lives of older Americans during 2010, according to findings from a Tucson retirement community’s parent company.

Splendido, an upscale, resort-style continuing care retirement community, is operated by Mather LifeWays, an Evanston, Ill.,-based not-for-profit organization that manages senior living residences and community service programs. The organization’s applied research and education department, Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging, has concluded that these positive trends will have a profound effect on the U.S. population of nearly 40 million people who will be 65 or older in the new year.

“Our older adult population continues to expand as each year passes, so more focus is being placed on ways to live a longer, healthier life,” said Linda Hollinger-Smith, Ph.D., vice president of Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging.  “Progress on extending human life, either through genetic research or living a healthier lifestyle, will be one the top trends older Americans will witness this year.”

Hollinger-Smith said that in 2010, not only will there be more Americans over age 65, but the number of those 85 and older will increase as well.

“A decade ago, reaching the age of 85 was considered very old, but now it’s more the norm,” she said. “Next year, 14.4 percent of the population that is more than 65 years old -- 5.7 million individuals -- will be more than 85 years old.”

Among the top 2010 trends identified by Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging are:

• Scientific breakthroughs will demonstrate that healthy lifestyles can actually repair DNA by boosting a key enzyme – telomerase – that is vital for improving the body’s immune responses and may even increase longevity.

• The movement to more homelike environments for older adults living in long-term care communities will grow.  Programs will provide care, support individuality and promote safety in a residential environment.

• Improvements in health care will lead to ever-slowing rates of aging, increasing the number of adults who will reach 100.

• There will be an increased focus on positivity and its impact on happiness, health and longevity for older adults.

• The use of technology among older adults will grow exponentially – whether this means surfing the Internet, joining social networks such as Facebook, or using technologic devices in the home to monitor their health as well as promote independence and safety.

• Progress on extending human life will be a growing focus of researchers as more is learned about substances in our foods. One example is how resveratrol, found in the skin of red grapes and in several other plants, may protect us from some life-shortening diseases such as diabetes.

• Older adults will play an increasingly important role in “helping the Earth age well,” by working in green jobs, volunteering, gardening and teaching others about how to help the environment.

• Significant advances in treatments for diseases including cancer will take place through genetic research efforts that are preventing DNA mutations.

• Greater numbers of older adults will use the Internet to learn about their health.  Health professionals will need to incorporate web-based health resources into their patients’ visits to assure that accurate Web sites are being sought out.

• Senior living residences will also make “healthy living” a priority, as future prospects look toward a variety of programs and amenities that support wellness lifestyles.

“The ability to live a longer, healthier life will depend on the right combination of lifestyle choices, technology advances and medical breakthroughs,” said Hollinger-Smith.  “It’s something we call ‘Aging Well’ and the chances of that happening will continue to expand in 2010 and beyond.”

About Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging
Based in Evanston, Ill., Mather LifeWays enhances the lives of older adults by creating Ways to Age Well.SM The Institute on Aging was founded as a way to provide much-needed research and education for the health professionals who serve older adults. Initiatives focus on person-centered care and effective memory support addressing program assessment tools, emergency preparedness, and reducing workforce turnover rates. Additional Institute programs target workforce wellness and empowering family caregivers.  To learn more about Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging, or Mather LifeWays senior residences and community initiatives, please call (847) 492.7500 or find your way to http://www.matherlifeways.com.

About Splendido
Splendido is a joint venture of Mather LifeWays, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Evanston, Ill., that creates Ways to Age Well SM for older adults; and The Plaza Companies, a developer headquartered in Peoria, Ariz., that specializes in retirement community development. Opened in 2006, Splendido offers upscale resort-style living for adults 55 years and older through the 10,000-square-foot Saluté Spa & Fitness Center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, 24-hour concierge service, four dining venues, an 18-hole putting course, and cinema. In 2008, Splendido opened the Sonora health center, which is open to the public-at-large. To learn more about Splendido, call (520) 878-2612 or visit www.splendidotucson.com.