Life Expectancy and Health in Older Adulthood

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to life expectancy, health, and wellness in older adulthood, including statistics, lifestyle factors, and the effects of exercise.

life expectancy

The number of years an average person born in a particular year is expected to live.

life expectancy in the U.S. (1964)

70.17 years.

life expectancy in the U.S. (2000)

76.64 years.

highest life expectancy in 2000

Canada – 79.2 years.

first decline in U.S. life expectancy since 1915–1918

The COVID-19 pandemic.

reasons for recent decline in U.S. life expectancy

High infant and maternal mortality, high homicide rates, higher BMI.

U.S. life expectancy in 2023

78.4 years.

Ohio's life expectancy in 2023

74.5 years.

key aspects of the Okinawan lifestyle for longevity

Healthy diet, strong community support, high physical activity.

life expectancy of Okinawans who emigrated to Brazil (1960s)

Dropped from 81 to 64 years after adopting a new lifestyle.

percentage of older adults reporting sleep problems

50%.

sleep lost per decade as they age

8 minutes for males, 10 minutes for females.

changes in sleep stages in older adults

More time in light sleep, less time in REM sleep.

health risks of less than 6 hours of sleep per day

Increased risk of poor health.

benefit of sleeping more than 7 hours a night

Longer telomere length (linked to aging).

excessive sleep in older adults

Associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

percentage of adults aged 65–74 reporting regular sexual activity

53%.

percentage of adults aged 75–85 reporting regular sexual activity

26%.

common male sexual changes with age

Require more stimulation, orgasm less frequently, increased erectile issues.

common female sexual changes with age

Decreased lubrication; otherwise, no major change in sexual response.

beneficial exercises for older adults

Both aerobic and strength training.

benefits of exercise in older adulthood

Increased longevity, reduced chronic disease risk, improved immune function.

impact of exercise on mental health in older adults

Reduces risk of mental health issues, improves outcomes, and lessens stress impact.