COOL JOBS: Louisiana Coffee Company – Regional Coffee Roasting Done Right
July 2025
Sculpting: Skincare Secrets to Aging Well – Local Expert Hannah Grogan, FNP, Shares Her Approach
July 2025
by Kristy Como Armand
The idea that from midlife on it’s all downhill is as out-of-date as cassette tapes, phone booths and typewriters.
Life isn’t over at 50. In fact, 50 really might be the new 30. Aging experts agree that while reaching the 50-year milestone signals the beginning of the second half of life, today’s 50-year-olds have the experience, resources and time to make their second 50 their best 50.
“Many people dread the thought of aging, worried their bodies and minds will fail them as they age,” says Brenton Smith, MD, family medicine specialist with Imperial Health. “But poor health as you age is not inevitable, and you have more control than you think you do. Study after study shows most of the factors that determine whether you will be remain healthy after 50 are the result of how you live your life long before your hair starts turning gray.”
There was a time when the idea of blowing out 100 candles on a birthday cake seemed impossible. In 1900, life expectancy in the United States was just 47 years—a full three decades shorter than it is today. Antibiotics, better sanitation and improved medical care deserve much of the credit for the increase. The average life expectancy at birth is now over 78 years, according to the U.S. Census.
Research shows if you live to celebrate certain milestones of age, your life expectancy actually expands. On average, a 65-year-old would have nearly 18 more years to live, while an 85-year-old would have about six years longer.
If your goal is healthy longevity, you may be focused on decreasing your cholesterol and blood pressure to prevent heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans. And while these are obviously important, Dr. Smith says you may need to adjust your strategy to include some other lifestyle aspects—some of which might surprise you.
The results of a landmark study continue to be analyzed and improve medical knowledge about the factors that most impact healthy aging. The “Harvard Study of Adult Development” is the longest, most comprehensive examination of aging ever conducted. It began in the 1930s, with researchers studying several large groups of men and women, following them from adolescence into old age, and seeking clues to the behaviors that translate into happy and healthy longevity.
In many cases, the results were not even what the investigators themselves anticipated. Although some of the aspects for longevity are genetically determined, the mountains of data gathered from the Harvard study and numerous others about aging have found the individual controls many other factors. Perhaps the biggest surprise identified is how much influence personal behavior has on health and life span. Changes that a doctor or a scientist might have once attributed to the aging process, such as high blood pressure, joint pain and memory loss, are now considered pathology, not biology.
Experts now believe that more than two-thirds of the factors that control how a person will fare in later life are determined by lifestyle factors such as diet, mental and physical exercise and meaningful existence.
“This means living a long and productive life is within most people’s grasp if they have the knowledge of what to do and the motivation to do it,” says Dr. Smith. “You must have the desire and means to avoid and treat disease, sustain a high level of mental and physical function, and engage actively in life. Successful aging is not simply a matter of genes or fate. There are no guarantees, but staying active and making healthy choices can pave the way for a long, vital life.”
The Harvard study found the following factors to be most predictive of whether you’d move successfully through middle age and into your 80s:
• Avoiding cigarettes
• Resiliency – good adjustment or coping skills; positive outlook
• Keeping a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining strong social relationships
• Pursuing education or staying mentally active
• Having routine medical care
If healthy aging habits aren’t yet part of your routine, Dr. Smith emphasizes that it’s never too late to begin. “It’s similar to saving for retirement: the sooner you start, the greater the benefits. But regardless of your age, the effort pays off. And a trusted advisor—in this case your doctor—can help. We all have the ability to make changes that support a longer, healthier life.”
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith, call (337) 433-1212 or visit imperialhealth.com.
