Three Pillars for a Healthy and Vigorous Old Age

The concept of living a long life is nowadays addressed not only by the number of years lived, but also by the quality of those years. Along with the concept of 'lifespan', which expresses human life expectancy, experts frequently use the concept of 'healthspan', which describes the time spent in a healthy and good physical-cognitive state. Recently, a new concept called 'thirdspan' (third stage), which aims to improve the quality of the old age period, has emerged. This new approach focuses on how people shape their old age not only physically, but also emotionally and socially. Gerontologists and health professionals believe that this innovative concept is a wonderful complement to the new living standards brought about by modern medicine and societal developments.

According to Gerontologist and leadership coach Barbara Waxman, the greatest determinant of health in adulthood is not cholesterol levels or exposure to cold, but the quality of personal relationships. Emphasizing that the focus must shift especially in middle age and beyond, Waxman states that the goal is to maintain a positive mindset throughout life. Establishing strong emotional bonds and preserving the feeling of joy derived from life constitute the most fundamental building blocks of this new period. Experts argue that the secret to healthy aging lies not only in medical interventions, but is also closely related to the meaning an individual attributes to their own life. Viewing the aging process as a positive opportunity for development forms the core philosophy of this concept.

Thanks to increased access to clean water, the use of antibiotics, and vaccines over the last few decades, human lifespan has increased by an average of thirty years. Stating that this increase brings a very important question to mind, Waxman asks, 'Can we assume that living longer automatically means more well-lived years?' According to experts, the chance of a long life is determined only twenty percent by our genetics. The remaining massive eighty percent depends on the individual's lifestyle choices and developments in the field of global public health. This ratio reveals the vital importance of modifiable and controllable habits on longevity, rather than hereditary factors that are beyond individuals' control.

Large-scale studies clearly demonstrate how weak social ties and loneliness increase the risk of death. Experts emphasize that the destructive effects of unwanted loneliness and low social interaction on human health are equivalent to poor nutrition or smoking. Graciela Zarebski, director of the Iberoamerican Institute of Aging Sciences, points out that among the factors determining the course of life, the attitude and behavioral factor is often the least considered, yet one of the most critical. The attitude an individual develops towards the aging process will directly affect their self-care motivation and the quality of their relationships with their surroundings. For this reason, to avoid being alone and to keep cognitive abilities sharp during old age, it is a great necessity to build a healthy 'human reserve' starting from early ages.

Psychologist María Paula Castro from Hospital Universitario Austral states that the concept of longevity requires not only living more, but also spending these years in the best possible way physically and mentally. Castro adds that for a good quality of longevity, nutrition, adequate rest, physical activity, preservation of mental health, and healthy social networks are the fundamental elements that must be taken into account. These lifestyle factors are deeply interconnected; for instance, a person who eats mindfully and regularly, and exercises, experiences an increase in energy, and this situation boosts their motivation in daily life. Therefore, maintaining an active lifestyle creates a ripple effect that helps the individual both preserve their physical capacity and establish higher-quality relationships with their surroundings. Ultimately, the 'thirdspan' philosophy stands out as a holistic healthy aging guide, advising humanity not merely to fill their years, but to enrich those years with meaning, joy, and deep connections.