Healthy Ageing: Why Healthspan Matters as Much as Lifespan

As we grow older, staying healthy becomes about more than just avoiding illness. It is about feeling well, remaining independent, and continuing to enjoy life on your own terms. In this article, we explore what healthy ageing really means and how it can be supported at home, including with the help of home care in Watford and Borehamwood.

What Is Healthy Ageing?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), healthy ageing is “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age.” In simpler terms, it is about maintaining the physical and mental capacity to do what matters most to you for as long as possible.

A key distinction the WHO makes is between lifespan and healthspan:

• Lifespan: The total number of years you live
• Healthspan: The number of years you live in good health and independence

As people are living longer, there is an increasing focus on ensuring those extra years are lived well, not just long.

Why Focus on Healthspan?

Since 2000, global life expectancy has risen, reflecting progress in medicine, healthcare, and living conditions. However, many people now spend more years living with chronic illness or disability.

This is where healthspan becomes especially important. The goal is not only to add years to life, but to add life to those years.

Healthspan Supports:

• Living free from chronic illness
• Maintaining mental sharpness and physical strength
• Enjoying relationships and meaningful activities
• Preserving independence and dignity

What Does Healthspan Mean in Practice?

Healthspan refers to the years of life spent in generally good health, without chronic disease or serious limitations. It reflects how long you can:

• Stay mobile and active
• Think clearly and maintain memory
• Engage in everyday life and social activities
• Manage without long-term medical or care assistance

Imagine spending the last 15 to 20 years of life unable to do the things you love. Supporting a longer healthspan helps prevent that scenario and improves overall quality of life.

What Does Ageing Well Look Like?

Ageing well is deeply personal and can look different for each person. However, the WHO outlines several core aspects of functional ability that contribute to healthy ageing. These include:

• Meeting basic daily needs
• Making decisions and continuing to learn
• Maintaining mobility
• Staying socially connected
• Contributing to family or community life

At Radfield Home Care Watford & Borehamwood, we see these factors in action every day. Whether it is helping someone prepare meals, go for a walk in a local park, or stay connected to loved ones, our Care Professionals provide personalised care at home in Borehamwood and Watford to support each client’s healthspan.

The Chair Test: A Simple Sign of Healthspan

Standing up from a chair may seem effortless when you are younger, but for many older adults it can become difficult without assistance. This simple act can be a signal of declining physical function.

When mobility begins to decrease, it can limit independence, social engagement, and mental wellbeing. Supporting physical strength through daily movement and assistance when needed can help prevent this decline.

Lifespan vs Healthspan: Understanding the Difference

• Lifespan: Total years lived
• Healthspan: Years lived in good health

Research suggests that around 20 percent of life is now spent in poor health. While people are living longer thanks to medical advancements, many of those added years are affected by chronic conditions or reduced physical and mental ability.

How Is Healthspan Measured?

One common tool is Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE), which combines:

• Life expectancy
• Years lived with disability or illness
• Risk of early death from disease

At an individual level, healthspan is reflected in how long a person remains:

• Physically mobile
• Mentally alert
• Emotionally connected
• Independent in their home

What Affects Healthspan?

1. Diet

Although there is no single “healthspan diet,” research shows that:

• A plant-rich, nutrient-dense diet may reduce pro-ageing hormones
• The Mediterranean diet supports heart, brain, and mobility health
• Foods high in polyphenols, such as berries and olive oil, may protect against cellular ageing

2. Physical Activity

Exercise is one of the most effective tools for maintaining healthspan:

• Aerobic exercise supports heart and brain health
• Resistance training preserves muscle and prevents falls
• Even starting later in life offers clear benefits

3. Environment

Your surroundings shape how you age:

• Exposure to pollution and toxins can accelerate ageing
• Smoking and poor air quality can shorten healthspan
• Socioeconomic factors such as access to nutritious food, green space, and healthcare make a significant difference

4. Brain Health

Cognitive decline is a common concern as we age. However, lifestyle choices can help:

• Regular physical activity may reduce dementia risk
• A healthy diet supports brain function
• Social engagement and mental stimulation are important for maintaining cognitive health

Can We Slow the Ageing Process?

To some extent, yes. While some decline with age is natural, many factors that influence ageing can be managed. Researchers are now looking at the root causes of ageing such as inflammation and oxidative stress, with the goal of delaying or preventing multiple age-related illnesses.

Supporting your body and mind with the right choices today can make a difference in how well you live tomorrow.

How to Support Healthy Ageing

Healthy ageing involves more than just physical care. It includes mindset, habits, relationships, and community.

A helpful place to begin is by asking:

• What does ageing well mean to me?
• What am I doing today to support that vision?

Reflecting on these questions can guide more meaningful decisions about long-term wellbeing.

Live Well, Age Well at Home

At Radfield Home Care Watford & Borehamwood, we believe everyone deserves the chance to age with dignity, comfort, and joy in the place they know best, their own home.

Our friendly Care Professionals support older people in Watford and Borehamwood by helping them maintain:

• Daily routines and personal preferences
• Physical and emotional wellbeing
• Social connection and independence

Whether you’re looking for high-quality home care services in Watford, Borehamwood or the surrounding areas, or you’re considering a rewarding career where you can truly make a difference, we are here to help.

Explore our services today.

Call us on 01923 624 674 or email [email protected] to find out more.