We're Living Longer. Is That Good?

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Americans are living longer.  Life expectancy in the U.S. has risen to 78.8 years for those born in 2012 or after, according to a story in USA Today and other online sources.   Traditionally, women live longer than men and these latest projections are no exception with women’s life expectancy anticipated at 81.2 years but for men it is 76.4 years.

You are probably thinking the U.S. is at or near the top of the life expectancy projections, but we are outranked by some 35 countries.

Who tops the list?  Japan comes in at number one with an overall life expectancy rate of 84.6, according to World Health Organization stats. 

The aging trend is fraught with challenges.  Not only are we living to be older but more people are living to be very, very old.  In fact, the number of centenarians is anticipated to double every 13 years.  If this holds true, this population segment will swell to over four million people worldwide by 2060.

That number is astounding when you consider that a century ago, life expectancy in the U.S. was just 56 years for women and a mere 52 for men.

Personally, I’m fine with growing old and possibly living to age 100.  However, if I do, I want to be healthy, both physically and mentally.  Everyone feels this way.  People want to live longer, but not if they are merely existing.  Quality of life is everything.

So, living longer is great…until it isn’t.  I wish we could, as individuals, choose to opt out when we want.  As our population continues to live longer and longer, we will need a channel for personal choice in this area.

End of life choices and options may be the baby boomers’ last big legacy.  I’ll be writing more on this topic in the future and would love to hear your feedback.