[Longevity in gerontology and in Judaism--quantity years or quality years?].

In this day and age, we have been granted longevity--both a blessing and a curse. Longevity has resulted in new diseases, illnesses and long-term disabilities due to the shift from death caused by acute infectious diseases and by chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiac and vascular diseases, to morbidity caused by chronic cases of arthritis, Alzheimer's and sensory disabilities--auditory and visual. Chronic diseases are characterized by long-term illness and result in escalating reduction in functioning, with an increase in the elderly person's dependence on his family or society. What do we mean when we say 'longevity'? Do we add days to our lives or perhaps life to our days? What can we expect? How do we achieve longevity? I have looked into the Torah, into the words of the Sages and into the findings of geriatric research. I have found that, both in gerontology, and in the words of the Sages, longevity is accompanied by quality of life. In gerontology, 'quality of life' is measured as being active and independent, including the ability to carry out routine daily activities (ADL). Katz and his colleagues have used the terms 'active life expectancy' and 'dependent life expectancy'. The ability to predict active life expectancy is no less important than predicting mortality, and particularly how to achieve active life expectancy. The Sages praise longevity, accompanied by wisdom: "In the elderly, wisdom, and in wisdom, long life' (Job). In addition, they say: 'For longevity and years of life and peace shall be granted to you' (Proverbs), to teach the blessing of longevity accompanied by wisdom. To achieve longevity, one should maintain regular habits that reduce the risk of illness such as physical exercise, a balanced diet, no smoking, and have a relaxed attitude to self-importance and to financial matters, while emphasizing the routine and stable elements of one's daily life.