Is 65 the New 45? Rethinking What Aging Looks Like Today

Author: BeneVia
Published: 2010/05/26 - Updated: 2025/04/16
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Seniors News - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This article explores the shifting perceptions of aging, particularly the idea that being sixty-five today is more akin to being forty-five in previous generations. Drawing on survey data where nearly 90 percent of respondents aged 65 and older reported feeling at least a decade younger than their chronological age, the article highlights how advances in healthcare, improved lifestyles, and changing societal attitudes are redefining what it means to be a senior. This information is valuable for seniors, people with disabilities, and those interested in aging, as it challenges outdated stereotypes and provides a more nuanced understanding of the capabilities and well-being of older adults. By emphasizing the positive changes in health, vitality, and self-perception among seniors, the article offers insights that can inform public policy, healthcare planning, and personal expectations for aging - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

For older adults, is sixty-five the new forty-five? A new survey by benevia shows baby boomers feel five years younger, adults 65 and over feel 10 years younger.

Main Item

As Americans get older, they still feel younger, according to a new survey by HealthSpan Solutions, makers of fruit-based BeneVia nutritional beverage. Six in 10 baby boomers - ages 45 to 65 - feel five years younger than their chronological age.

Nearly all (90 percent) respondents 65 and older said they felt 10 years younger.

The perceived youth and sense of vitality may be surprising to some, given that nearly 60 percent of respondents 65 and older are managing at least one chronic health condition. Among that group, four in ten must manage at least two other health conditions - 80 percent of those conditions are related to heart health.

One possible explanation for the newfound youth: the survey respondents are already taking steps to stay healthy and active and don't want to lose their youthful attitude.

"It is clear from these results that nearly everyone wants to live longer, but no one wants to grow older," said John Troup, Ph.D., President of HealthSpan Solutions, LLC. "The good news is that this motivates many consumers to become more aware and active in using nutrition and exercise to manage healthy lifestyles."

Earlier this spring, the HealthSpan Institute - HealthSpan's nutrition research and education organization - surveyed a wide range of consumers, including members of its BeneVia eClub, and received more than 3,000 responses from individuals ranging in ages from 19 to 80. HealthSpan confirmed the survey's results through follow-up questions with 300 respondents who consider themselves "serious health managers and nutrition beverage consumers."

The findings are the first of an annual survey from HealthSpan Institute about ways baby boomers and others can proactively address their health management needs through better nutrition and physical activity. In addition to developing BeneVia, HealthSpan Institute helps consumers to use better nutrition as a tool for healthy aging.

"This research overwhelmingly reinforces the core value of the HealthSpan Institute and BeneVia: better nutrition promotes healthy aging and physical activity," Troup continued. "In less than a year, more than 25,000 people have signed up for the BeneVia eClub. They are telling us that even if they are getting older, they are feeling younger and want to stay that way. More interesting, these positive attitudes help keep consumers on track to healthy living habits and practices and our products make it easier and effective for them to do so."

In addition to the consumer survey, the research included a survey of 1,200 healthcare and nutrition practitioners and research about the links between nutrition and healthy aging. Findings include:

Older adults aren't getting enough protein. Six in ten adults age 65 and up don't get the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for protein intake.

Decreased protein and decreased activity lead to health problems. A lack of both protein intake and physical activity will reduce muscle mass, which can quickly lead to many of the diseases and conditions associated with aging.

Older adults turn to the Internet and their practitioners for health information. Consumers ages 65 to 75 are twice as likely to use the Internet for information on health-specific nutrition products than consumers ages 19 to 45. One in four adults ages 55 to 75 buy products based only on recommendations by their healthcare practitioners; the only one in ten of younger set (ages 19 to 45) do the same.

Spending on preventable chronic diseases accounts for 70 percent of healthcare expenditures for adults 65 and up. Almost 100 percent of those diseases can be managed through better nutrition and activity.

"Chronic health conditions can make a major impact on quality of life, but many are preventable," said Troup. "We hope that, as people age, they will take a look at how they can change their nutrition and activity to prevent chronic conditions and reclaim their youth at the same time. We believe Benevia can help make nutritional management more convenient as it was formulated to address the under-nutrition observed and fortified with active nutrients to effectively improve health conditions."

BeneVia is a healthy nutritional juice drink fortified with the essential vitamins and minerals and specialized protein & amino acid leucine sources for healthy aging. Clinical research has shown that the proprietary BeneVia blend of these protein and nutrients is four times more effective than other protein sources for improving muscle function and energy levels for daily activity.

The four varieties of light, fruit-based BeneVia products contain nutrients which have been clinically tested and proven to aid in managing the four most common health conditions faced by boomer consumers:

• Immune Protect: With Arginine and Omega3 DHA.
• Strength & Energy: With ViaLeuPro a protein and leucine blend.
• Memory & Focus: With Omega3- DHA and the antioxidant Lutein.
• Heart Health: With ViaLeuPro protein and leucine blend and Phytosterols.

BeneVia is a naturally flavored fruit juice drink with a taste preferred by consumers and recommended by practitioners. BeneVia is low calorie, low sugar and contains no fat. BeneVia contains Vitamin D and Calcium and found in grocery and drug stores in the adult nutrition aisle.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by BeneVia and published on 2010/05/26, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, BeneVia can be contacted at Contact Details NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.