Ageing is changing. Could 60 be the new 40?

Positive Ageing Week gives us an opportunity to reflect on the changing nature of ageing in Ireland, and the 27 amazing Local Heroes featured in Galway this week demonstrate the vitality and energy experienced now by so many people in their upper decades.

Up to the late 1800’s, the average life expectancy all over the world did not exceed 40. By 1950, the average life expectancy in Ireland rose to 66 years. Today, it is almost 83 years, with continued increases predicted. Many people are also experiencing good health and wellbeing well into later life, due in the main to improved living conditions, medical care and a realisation that many factors contribute to a positive ageing experience that are within our control.

A new index is now being used by the World Health Organisation which measures Healthy Life Expectancy – the average number of years that a person can expect to live in ‘full health’, which in Ireland is now up to 76 years.

When I was a child in the 1960’s people aged 70 seemed really old. But nowadays people in their 80’s are healthy, spritely, active, and contributing members of their families and communities and 60 really does feel like the new 40!

How we approach retirement is also changing considerably. When the first Old Age Pension Act was introduced in Ireland in 1924, the average life expectancy was 57, so availing of a pension was unlikely for many. Now we can expect to live for approximately 20 years after the current retirement age of 65 with many of those years in good health.”

The requirement to retire is also changing in many workplaces and people want choices at retirement age. Given the current shortage of workers in many sectors in Ireland, our older adults can offer solutions and value in the workplace using the skills and emotional intelligence they have acquired from their life experience.

The valuable contribution of our older citizens can be seen all around us. They actively contribute to caring roles for both older people and the younger generations, they volunteer regularly in a wide range of important activities, and they are active participants in their local communities.

And with age comes wisdom. Realising that we don’t have all the time in the world, priorities become clearer, we take less notice of trivial matters and we are better able to enjoy life.

But let us ask ourselves, as a society are we actively valuing and supporting older people so that they can truly enjoy their later years and continue to thrive in the very communities they are contributing to?

Do we ensure our older citizens have an adequate standard of income to support their health and wellbeing?

Do we adequately support the caring roles undertaken by older people who are looking after spouses and other family members?

Do our older people feel safe in their homes and communities?

Do we ensure our transport systems are suitable to the needs of older travellers?

Do we actually see our older populations for what they really are – healthy, active, and contributing, or do we hold on to outdated and unrealistic images of older age?

Ageing has changed DRAMATICALLY in the last 100 years and while those who have reached great ages and are living their best lives are everywhere around us, maybe the rest of us and our societies have a little (or a lot) of catching up to do.”

We only have to remind ourselves of our approach to the COVID-19 pandemic to acknowledge that Ageism is a reality and much needs to be done to catch up with the reality of older age as it really is.

So thank you to the 27 Local Heroes who have been willing to put themselves forward and show us all what ageing has become in Ireland. Our communities have so much to benefit from the older adults living within them, and perhaps if we recognise and value their contribution a little more we will all be enriched.