A recent study utilizing data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) sheds light on the health, lifestyle, and well-being of India’s centenarians (individuals aged 100+ years), offering crucial insights for geriatric policy and public health.
1. Biomarkers and Health Profile
- Optimal BMI: The majority of centenarians displayed a normal Body Mass Index (BMI).
- Statistic: 55.5% had normal BMI; 0% were overweight.
- Significance: Highlights the critical role of weight management and lean lifestyles in longevity.
- Absence of Chronic Ailments: A distinct lack of lifestyle diseases was observed.
- Zero cases of high cholesterol, stroke, or heart disease.
- Diabetes was negligible (1.7%).
- Risk Factors: Over 90% had never consumed alcohol, and roughly 68% had never smoked, establishing a direct link between substance avoidance and extended lifespan.
2. Functional Independence vs. Dependence
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): While basic physical tasks (walking, eating) were manageable for two-thirds of the group, complex tasks proved difficult.
- Instrumental ADLs (IADLs): High dependency was noted in tasks requiring cognitive application:
- Managing money (83.3% struggle).
- Making phone calls (77.8% struggle).
- Demographic Vulnerability: The majority of the sample consisted of female widows from rural areas, indicating a need for gender-sensitive geriatric welfare.
3. Psychosocial Well-being
- Self-Perception: Subjective well-being is a strong marker of longevity. Over 75% of centenarians perceived themselves as “healthy and happy.”
- Life Satisfaction: 51.2% reported high levels of life satisfaction.
- Drivers: Socialization, spiritual gatherings, and family bonding were identified as key contributors to psychological health.
4. Policy Implications for India
- Demographic Shift: India is projected to house the highest number of centenarians globally by 2050.
- Healthcare Pivot: Shift from curative to preventative care, focusing on diet, weight management, and reducing salt/sugar intake.
- Geriatric Infrastructure: Need for formal caregiving systems, community-based daycare, and remote monitoring technology to support Instrumental ADLs.
- Data Systems: Urgent need to extend statistical capacity (currently strong in maternal/infant health) to longevity and ageing research.
5. Related Government Schemes
- Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana: Physical aids for BPL senior citizens.
- PM-JAY: Health cover often utilized by the elderly.
- Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY): Umbrella scheme for senior citizen welfare.
About LASI:
- It is a full-scale national survey of scientific investigation of the health, economic, and social determinants and consequences of population ageing in India.
- Nodal Agency: International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai.
- Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Super-Agers: A term often used to describe people in their 80s or older who have cognitive abilities comparable to people decades younger (or simply those 100+ as per this context).
Demographic Dividend vs. Burden: While India currently enjoys a young demographic dividend, the rapid rise of the “Oldest-Old” necessitates immediate social security reforms (pensions, geriatric care).
