Vehicles to Promote Positive Ageing: Natural Therapies, Counselling, Music and the Creative Arts

Abstract

The new millennium sees people living longer than ever. Demographers tell us that today's young adults can expect to live past 80. Biologists inform us that increasingly older people will live healthier lives. They predict a 'compression of morbidity' that will result in older patients experiencing long, healthy and active lives with short periods of severe disability or debilitating illnesses before death (Fries 1984). The buzz word in the gerontology field these days is 'active life expectancy'. Kart (1997 p105) defines this concept as 'the period of life free of limitations in activities of daily living'. People are asking the question, 'how many years can we expect to enjoy?'Not surprisingly, the emphasis of many health programs and policies, and increasingly more so in the future, is on longevity and quality of life. Scientists argue that lifestyle habits improve the quality of life and may prolong life (National Institute of Aging 1993). A study on centenarians found them to have a positive outlook and sense of optimism (Poon et al. 1992), highlighting the importance of mind and body connections. As Tirrito (2003 p 83) notes health is linked to life satisfaction and well-being and 'people who have good health are happier, have a better sense of well-being, have friends, and tend to be satisfied with life'. This message is increasingly being appreciated by consumers. More and more people are recognising that lifestyle offers one of the greatest paybacks in terms of improving health and quality of life.