By Carolyn Spence Cagle PhD, RNC-E
Many recent media sources have focused on “ways to live longer,” a topic I believe of interest for TCU retirees for this column. Living longer means considering ways to support sufficient retirement monies for a productive lifespan that differs from earlier generations. Recent literature indicates five global areas (“Blue Zones”) have a high percentage of residents living past age 90 and often without chronic disease. These areas include Loma Linda, CA; Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece;, and Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. What can we learn and perhaps implement from these “Blue Zones” areas to help in our quest for a longer life with fewer financial concerns?
- Many non-U.S. Blue Zone residents have a form of national health insurance that controls health care costs and allows for doctor home visits, an uncommon medical practice in our country.
- Japan funds long term care to keep older people in their homes and control the high cost of nursing or assisted living care that often dilutes elder savings. The U. S. PACE program, through an interdisciplinary care approach, also aims to keep elders in their home, but it is not widely available in our country.
- Non-U.S. Blue Zone countries often have governmental master plans that address diverse needs of elders (health, housing, transportation, food, and social needs) that research indicates deeply affect personal health. In fact, recent evidence shows that “where you live” correlates to your health status.
- Consumer food is often plant-based; elders generally work in gardening or farming, exercise daily, and eat much fish. Many residents eat a Mediterranean diet (lean meats, fruits and vegetables, limited sweets) for health and use few medications. Gardening or farming decreases grocery costs and provides “cleaner” food. That work increases elder socialization, connects them to nature for less stress, and supports elder sense of purpose and happiness.
- Family/neighbor/community support is the norm in all five areas. Generally family or friends provide unpaid caregiving due the community value to save elder retirement funds.
- In the Loma Linda, CA “Blue Zone,” 30% of the city practices the Seventh Day Adventist religion that “values the body” and shuns smoking and alcohol use. Those practicing that religion have led a frugal life but made wise investments to support sufficient funds for the aging years. Many persons continue working part-time or in earlier careers to remain mentally, physically, and socially engaged.
References:
Buettner, D. (208). The Blue Zones: Lessons for living longer from the people who’ve lived the longest.Washington, DC: National Geographic Society.
Eisenberg, R. (2019, April 8). Blue Zones, Part 2: How the World’s Oldest People in Asia and Europe Make Their Money Last. Retrieved from http://nextavenue.org/blue-zones-worlds-oldest-people-asia-europe-make-their-money-last.
Eisenberg, R. (2019, April 16). How the Oldest People in America’s Blue Zones Make Their Money Last.Retrieved from http://www.nextavenue.org/oldest-people-americas-blue-zone-make-their-money-last.