Exploring the Psychosocial Aspects of Aging
As the global population ages, there is increasing interest in improving the quality of the later years of life. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2050, the global population of people aged 60 years and older will double, and the number of people aged 80 years and older will triple, reaching 426 million.
We are living longer, but the question remains: Are we living better?
The advancement of modern medicine has successfully increased the human lifespan; however, this has not been proportionally reflected in human health span. Beyond well-studied hallmarks of healthy aging, such as high-quality nutrition, physical activity, limiting stress, and mindfulness, there exists interest in how self-perception of aging impacts one’s psychological well-being.
It is postulated that improving one’s psychological well-being may also positively impact physiological aging. Of particular interest is the perspective that mismanaged physiological aging may have a broader impact on individuals, society (i.e., worsening societal mental and physical health), and the overall healthcare system.
Does physical attraction, or cosmetic procedures that either enhance or maintain physical beauty, promote positive psychology and empower individuals to age with integrity? Moreover, can these enhancements indirectly reduce healthcare utilization costs in the aging population?
Based on emerging evidence, a team of world renowned doctors, including Shino Bay Aguilera, Doris Day, and Sabrina Ghalili propose that the psychosocial aspect of aging is quintessential in the continuum of successful aging.
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