Longevity, the phenomenon of today's times? “Everyone wants to live long, but no one wants to grow old.” (Jonathan Swift) Abstract: Old age and aging have become a phenomenon of our time. The number of older people is growing, and because of that there is more discussion about old age, aging, and longevity. In the Czech Republic, but also in neighboring European countries, the number of very old people is increasing, that is, people who live to 90 years and beyond. The article aims to briefly present longevity as a phenomenon of our time and to point out that these people will become more numerous among us. Keywords: Old age, aging, longevity, seniors.

Abstract: Ageing and old age have become a phenomenon of our time. There are more and more older people, and because of this there is increasing discussion about old age, aging, and longevity. In the Czech Republic, but also in neighboring European countries, the number of very old people is increasing, that is, people who live to 90 years and beyond. The article briefly introduces longevity as a phenomenon of our time and draws attention to the fact that there will be increasing numbers of these people among us. Keywords: Age, aging, longevity, seniors. Introduction

Thanks to medical progress and other changing circumstances, for most people old age has become an expected and lived stage of life (Leissmann, 2010). Old age is the final phase of the aging process and perhaps for this reason it is discussed more frequently in our society. The number of aging people is increasing, and they rely not only on the support of their closest relatives but also on the support of society as a whole (Koubská, 2011). Most of us would like to live to an advanced age in good health and comfort, have family around us, and reach healthy old age (Liessmann, 2010). After all, old age can be enjoyable and does not always have to burden us.

In most countries, a periodization of human age is accepted according to the World Health Organization (WHO) proposal.

  • 60 – 74 years – early old age
  • 75 – 89 years – old age
  • 90 and over – longevity (Topinková, Neuwirt, 2005, p. 17).

Another division of old age

  • 65 – 74 – young seniors
  • 75 – 84 – older seniors
  • 85 and over – very old seniors (Holmerová, Jurášková, 2007, p. 12).

This division reflects recent demographic development. The population structure has changed in all developed countries. It has changed in the sense of increasing average life expectancy. This is the age to which we can expect to survive from birth.

Zdeněk Kalvach recommends distinguishing the following categories of seniors from a nursing perspective: Fit – seniors, regardless of age, maintain very good fitness, perform physically demanding activities, and can handle more demanding healthcare procedures; postoperative rehabilitation of the locomotor system in them progresses quickly. These seniors require minimal modifications of nursing procedures. Independent – seniors handle activities of daily life well (activities of daily living, ADL) and under normal circumstances do not need substantial support from family members, those around them, or home care services (they manage household tasks and shopping, etc.). These people, however, fail in situations that place unusual strain (febrile illnesses, postoperative states, the need to climb stairs, etc.). At home they require intervention only under exceptional strain, and they usually do not require special measures during hospitalization. Frail – seniors are at risk of sudden decompensation of health status (e.g., recurrence of heart failure) or functional status (falls), and they cannot cope with stress situations (e.g., development of delirium when the environment changes). They need constant support in more demanding daily activities (so-called instrumental ADL, or IADL – e.g., shopping, cooking, household management). At home they require nursing surveillance with interventions, often monitoring through emergency call systems; in institutional care increased supervision is needed with prevention of immobilization syndrome or delirious states; on discharge to home, activation of field services (home care service) or family instruction is usually needed. Dependent – seniors cannot manage even basic self-care; they require help with eating, hygiene, dressing, using the toilet, and transferring out of bed. Completely dependent – seniors are long-term or permanently bed-bound due to quantitative or qualitative disturbances of consciousness, and therefore require active prevention of pressure injury, hydration, and nutrition. They are at risk of developing immobilization syndrome. (Kalvach, Onderková, 2006, p. 14).

Process of Aging

Aging affects the whole population. Aging is a long-term process influenced by two factors: genetic factors, which are given to a person at birth, and factors from the surrounding world. The interaction of both factors creates the uniqueness and particularity of how quickly or slowly an individual passes through aging. Aging and older people share only the number of years. Everyone ages differently, at a different pace. In some periods we age more quickly, in some more slowly. But note! In terms of chronological aging, we all age at the same rate. Calendar age can therefore be understood as the only value by which age groups from different countries can be compared (Gregor, 1999).

Longevity

According to the World Health Organization, in our country people over 90 years are considered to be long-lived. From various studies, it follows that if a person lived in a healthy environment and was not killed by malignant or chronic diseases, they could live to one hundred years and beyond (Gregor, 1999).

  • *“Long-lived people have a natural enjoyment of regular movement (walking, gardening, doing activities more for pleasure than as a health duty).”
  • “Their personality is balanced but lively; they have a zest for life but do not show exaggerated emotions that lead to outbursts of anger or moments of panic.”
  • “They avoid regret and do not live in the past. Doing so would mean thinking about times when they were younger, faster, and stronger, which can be discouraging. Instead, they live in the present and are enthusiastic about what they do today.”
  • “They are successful in what they do, even when they set modest goals; when they achieve those goals, they themselves see that this extends their life. They are more proud of their work than of themselves.”
  • “They are moderate in their habits, eat a varied diet without excess, regularly consume a balanced combination of meat and vegetables, and drink a moderate amount of alcohol.”
  • “Their way of life is based on a stable daily routine without confusion and stress. Their eyes sparkle, and a sense of humor never leaves them even at advanced age.” (Nejedlá, Šafránková, Svobodová, 2004, p. 176).

In the Czech Republic, 1 103 centenarians and older people live now. Of the total, 920 are women and 183 are men. This year, 466 people will celebrate their 100th birthday. In January 2012 there were 1 035 recorded, and in 2011 there were 913 people. Statistical data indicate that longevity in our country is increasing. According to statistical projections, in the middle of the century there could be around 13 000 centenarians and older in the Czech Republic. By 2065 this could reach around 19 700 people. Women would outnumber men. (http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/v-cesku-zije-1103-stoletych-a-starsich-lidi-dlouhovekych-pribyva/885894). “The countries with the oldest populations in Europe (median age) in 2011 were Germany (44.6 years), Italy (43.5 years), Finland (42.1 years), Greece (42.1 years), and Austria (42.0 years). The youngest populations were in Ireland (34.7 years), Iceland (35.0 years), and Macedonia (36.1 years); in the Czech Republic the median age in 2011 was 39.6 years. The population aged the most in Europe from 2002 to 2011 was in Liechtenstein (by 4.3 years), Germany (by 4 years), Lithuania (by 3.5 years), Greece (by 3.3 years), and equally by 3.2 years in Austria, the Netherlands, and Macedonia. The population aged least in Sweden (by 1.2 years), Hungary and Estonia (by 1.4 years), and Bulgaria (by 1.5 years); in the Czech Republic by 1.7 years.”

1 Median age Figure 1

Source:czso.cz‎.

2 Population 65+ Figure 2

Source:czso.cz‎.

“From statistical data it follows that the highest share of the oldest population (65+) is in Germany, Italy, Greece, Sweden, Portugal, and Bulgaria (20.6 - 17.7%, respectively). The lowest representation of those aged 65 and over is in Azerbaijan, Turkey, Moldova, and Ireland (5.8 - 11.6%). In the Czech Republic this age group is represented by 15.5%” (http://www.czso.cz ).

The Czech Republic was 22nd in Europe in 2000 regarding the share of people over 65 years. It is expected that, for example, by 2050 the Czech Republic will occupy 6th place.

Conclusion:

The phenomenon of population aging is becoming the most pressing issue of developed European states, and population aging has a significant impact on society as a whole. Increasing amounts of financial resources need to be allocated to healthcare and the social system. High-quality good aging does not depend only on the social structure; it also depends on individual behavior and attitudes toward older people. It is very important that the quality of life of long-lived people be as good as possible. This, however, must already be considered in youth.

Authors: Mgr. Miroslava Kubicová PhDr. Jarmila Verešová References:

GREGOR, O. Stárnout, to je kumšt. Praha:Dům medicíny, 1999. 139 s. ISBN 80-238-4791-0.

HOLMEROVÁ, I.; JURÁŠKOVÁ, B.; ZIKMUNDOVÁ, K. et al. Vybrané kapitoly z gerontologie. 3. vydání. Praha: Gerontologické centrum 2007. 142 s.

KALVACH, Z.; ONDERKOVÁ, A. Stáří, pojetí geriatrického pacienta a jeho problémů v ošetřovatelské praxi. Praha: Galén 2006. 44 s. ISBN 80-7262-455-5.

KOUBSKÁ, L., KOUKOLÍK, F. Všechno dopadne jinak. Praha: Vyšehrad, spol. s.r.o., 2011. 126 s. ISBN 978-80-7429-176-0.

LIESSMANN, K. P. Hodnota člověka. Břeclav: Malovaný kraj, 2010. 140 s. ISBN 978- 80-903759-7-0.

NEJEDLÁ, M., SVOBODOVÁ, H., ŠAFRÁNKOVÁ, A. Ošetřovatelství III, 1. Praha: Informatium, spol. s. r. o., 2004. 245 s. ISBN 80-7333-030-X.

TOPINKOVÁ, E., NEUWIRTH, J. Geriatrie pro praktického lékaře. 1.vyd. Praha: Grada Publishing a.s., 1995. 304 s. ISBN 80-7169-099-6.

České noviny.cz V Česku žije 1103 stoletých a starších lidí, dlouhověkých přibývá. [online]. 2013 [cit. 2013-12-08]. Dostupný z: http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/v-cesku-zije-1103-stoletych-a-starsich-lidi-dlouhovekych-pribyva/885894.

Český statistický úřad. cz Senioři v mezinárodním srovnání 2012. [online]. 2013 [cit. 2013-12-08]. Dostupný z: http://www.czso.cz‎.