UZH Healthy Longevity Center

👥 Loneliness has many faces. In later adulthood, it is affecting particularly individuals among the very old and not older adults in general! 🔗https://lnkd.in/dX4W2mxh In fact, data show that on average, adolescents and adults aged 15 to 34 are the most affected by loneliness and its negative health consequences. 🔗https://lnkd.in/dsDd66xz 👉 This is why more and more health professionals around the world are prescribing non-medical, community-based activities - such as group hikes, art classes, or dance courses - to help people break out of isolation. Rather than just treating the symptoms with medication, «social prescriptions» can support to connect us with communities that share our interests, help us become part of something bigger, and increase our sense of belonging and self-esteem. 🌟 If you (or someone you know) would like to join a community and connect with like-minded people, here are some ideas for social activities near you: 🔗https://lnkd.in/d6-_ZVwp #loneliness #socialactivities #socialprescriptions Mike Martin, Harald Gall, Birgit Kleim, Christina Röcke, Susan Mérillat, Marc Grosjean, Edouard Battegay, Burcu Demiray, Marcus Grüschow, Marta Marciniak, Stephanie Homan, PhD, Sandra Oppikofer, Dr. phil. Bettina Ugolini, Andrea B. Horn, Universität Zürich, Pro Senectute, GDI Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute

💃🏻 Dancing stands out from other physical activities due to its unique combination of music, movement & cognition, and social interaction. Already back in 2003 a long-term study with older adults suggested that regular dancing reduces the risk of developing dementia by 76%! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dQCzgB-K. Another study from 2005 by Reto W. Kressig confirmed that regular dancing using the Jaques-Dalcroze Eurhythmics method reduces age-related gait variability, thus lowering the risk of falls in older adults. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dmq_Qj-k Dancing has many positive effects, such as: 🧠 Promoting mental and cognitive health by stimulating brain plasticity which can counteract age-related cognitive decline. 💪 Enhancing physical fitness by improving flexibility, balance, and muscle strength, which can reduce the risk of falls in older adults. 🫶 Bringing people together and preventing loneliness and depression. 🕺🏻 Helping people with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis by alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life through the combination of music and movement. There’s a dance style for everyone and for all ages - from waltz to salsa to hip-hop. What matters most is that you have fun and dance regularly to reap the health benefits! 🫵 Have you tried dancing yet? Here are some dance styles that could inspire you: https://lnkd.in/enTQRZ8F #dancing #healthylongevity #mentalhealth #fitness Mike Martin, Harald Gall, Birgit Kleim, Christina Röcke, Susan Mérillat, Marc Grosjean, Edouard Battegay, Burcu Demiray, Marcus Grüschow, Marta Marciniak, Stephanie Homan, PhD, Sandra Oppikofer, Dr. phil. Bettina Ugolini, Andrea B. Horn, Universität Zürich

🔎 For an inclusive and differentiated view on ageing, the oldest old and institutionalized older adults need to be included into research endeavours. ✍️ We are delighted to share a publication co-authored by HLC Director Mike Martin and Co-Director Christina Röcke and our medical colleague Dr. Florian Riese (🔗 https://lnkd.in/dgpKgwXF) examining trajectories of functioning at the end of life in nursing home residents. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dCK7AkTm 📄 Based on unique longitudinal data from ZULIDAD, the Zurich Life and Death with Advanced Dementia Study, the paper shows that in the final phase of life, nursing home residents experience a very similar rapid decline in their abilities, whether or not they have dementia. 🧠 This shows that while dementia typcially is a heavy burden for individuals and families, there are many similarities between individuals with and without dementia, especially in the later stages of life. When fostering quality of life until death, both similarities and differences within groups and individuals need to be considered. ❗️ These insights are only possible when including the oldest old, and those institutionalized or hospitalized, into research on aging and longevity. 💪 Let‘s close the research gap on the oldest old, together! #dementia #research #longevity Mike Martin, Harald Gall, Birgit Kleim, Christina Röcke, Susan Mérillat, Marc Grosjean, Edouard Battegay, Burcu Demiray, Marcus Grüschow, Marta Marciniak, Stephanie Homan, PhD, Sandra Oppikofer, Dr. phil. Bettina Ugolini, Andrea B. Horn, Universität Zürich | University of Zurich

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🙌 Today - October 9th - is Ageism Awareness Day! It is a day to challenge age-related stereotypes and reframe the way we approach ageing. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gg4qTnmJ 🧘🏻♀️ How we think, talk, feel, and act towards ageing can impact our health and well-being and that of those around us. Studies show that people with more positive self-perceptions of ageing can live up to 7.5 years longer than those with less positive perceptions. ⚡️ Unfortunately, ageism is still prevalent in many forms, manifesting as stereotypes and age-based discrimination towards both ourselves and others. 🔍 The UZH Center for Gerontology has been an active leader in Switzerland’s research and translation landscape to foster a differentiated view on ageing. We continue these efforts in a current HLC project called “Let’s End Ageism Together” by building an education and research platform designed to raise awareness, provide educational resources, collect real world data, and foster a community. Stay tuned for project updates here and also by Burcu Demiray! 💪 Let’s work together to create a society where ageing is supported in all its diversity, not feared. #EndAgeism #Community #FightStereotypes Mike Martin, Harald Gall, Birgit Kleim, Christina Röcke, Susan Mérillat, Marc Grosjean, Edouard Battegay, Burcu Demiray, Marcus Grüschow, Marta Marciniak, Stephanie Homan, PhD, Sandra Oppikofer, Dr. phil. Bettina Ugolini, Andrea B. Horn, Universität Zürich | University of Zurich, American Society on Aging

🎵 💭 Ich freue mich sehr über die Gelegenheit zur Mitwirkung in diesem vielseitigen Projekt, das Musik und thematisch abgestimmte Blickwinkel dazu aus ganz unterschiedlichen disziplinären Perspektiven vereint: Jean-Daniel Strub - über Tod, Trauer & Digitales Anselm Hartinger - über Erinnerungskultur Barbara Bleisch - über Vergänglichkeit Christina Röcke - über Langlebigkeit Gian Domenico Borasio - über das Sterben Herzlichen Dank für die Einladung J. S. Bach-Stiftung & Anne-Kathrin Topp

🎉 Today - October 1st – is the International Day of Older Persons! This year’s theme is “Ageing with Dignity“: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ddqbjVC 🌎 Did you know the global population of people aged 65 and above has tripled since 1980, growing from 260 million to 761 million by 2021? And by 2050, this number is projected to rise further, with older people representing nearly 17% of the world’s population. 🌱 The rapid increase in the number of older adults highlights the importance of promoting health throughout life. Creating supportive social and physical environments is key to helping older adults maintain independence and continue to contribute to society. ❗️Our responsibility is ensuring that we don’t just speak about older adults, but actively engage WITH them, shaping both their present and our shared future together. 🌟 After all, societal participation is a cornerstone of healthy aging. 💪 Let’s renew our commitment to fostering meaningful participation and dialogue with older adults, ensuring their voices are central as we work together to build a more inclusive and age-friendly future. #HealthyAging #Participation #Inclusiveness Mike Martin, Harald Gall, Birgit Kleim, Christina Röcke, Susan Mérillat, Marc Grosjean, Edouard Battegay, Burcu Demiray, Marcus Grüschow, Marta Marciniak, Stephanie Homan, PhD, Sandra Oppikofer, Dr. phil. Bettina Ugolini, Andrea B. Horn, Universität Zürich | University of Zurich

🎯 Selbstoptimierung: Die eigene Leistung kontinuierlich und grenzenlos verbessern wollen. Das ist das Ziel einiger Menschen, die ihren Körper durch Leistungsdiagnostik ständig zu optimieren versuchen. 🎤 Der Journalist und Moderator Frank Seibert möchte in einer aktuellen Sendung von ARD Wissen gemeinsam mit dem Filmemacher Nicolas Riedmiller herausfinden, was hinter der Sehnsucht nach einem perfekten Körper und einem langen Leben steckt und war dazu u.a. zu Besuch am HLC für ein Gespräch mit HLC Co-Direktorin Christina Röcke. 🌿 Selbstoptimierung sollte Grenzen haben. Prävention allein auf körperlicher Ebene reicht zudem nicht aus für ein gesundes und langes Leben. Mindestens so wichtig ist die Auseinandersetzung als Person und als Gesellschaft mit Fragen wie diesen: ❓ Was ist mir wichtig, und wie kann ich das möglichst lange tun? ❓ Womit verbringe ich gerne meine Zeit? ❓ Wie kann ich in jedem Alter ein sinnerfülltes Leben führen? Denn Selbstständigkeit, Teilhabe an der Gesellschaft und soziale Beziehungen sind entscheidend für eine gute Lebensqualität bis ins höhere Alter. 🌱 👉 Was trägt für Sie zu einer guten Lebensqualität bei - und wie denken Sie über Selbstoptimierung? Teilen Sie es mit uns in den Kommentaren! Hier die vollständige Sendung: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ebw63it6 #Selbstoptimierung #Biohacking #Gesundheitsdaten Mike Martin, Harald Gall, Birgit Kleim, Christina Röcke, Susan Mérillat, Marc Grosjean, Edouard Battegay, Burcu Demiray, Marcus Grüschow, Marta Marciniak, Stephanie Homan, PhD, Sandra Oppikofer, Dr. phil. Bettina Ugolini, Andrea B. Horn, Anna Erat (MD, PhD, IDP INSEAD), Nicolas Riedmiller, Universität Zürich, ARD

📣 The current issue of “A Panorama of Swiss Society” focuses on the aging population and aims to share important findings on key social and political issues in Swiss society with the public. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dSszcV-D ✍️ HLC Director Mike Martin and Alexander Seifert, Research Associate at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, co-authored a chapter on “Social participation and exclusion in today‘s ageing society”. 👥 The chapter examines to what extent and how older adults stay socially active in Switzerland, emphasizing the importance of maintaining social interactions, whether in-person or online, for healthy aging. This analysis highlights the need for authorities to support older people in: 1️⃣ Maintaining social contacts that are important to them (e.g., by creating accessible public meeting places and promoting social associations for the elderly) and 2️⃣ Enabling them to offer services to others (e.g., organized neighborhood help, participation in political activities). 👉 Read the German version here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eYB5wPuR and the French version here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/duK56wTf . The English version will follow soon! #Aging #Swiss #Socialactivities #Healthylongevity Mike Martin, Harald Gall, Birgit Kleim, Christina Röcke, Susan Mérillat, Marc Grosjean, Edouard Battegay, Burcu Demiray, Marcus Grüschow, Marta Marciniak, Stephanie Homan, PhD, Sandra Oppikofer, Dr. phil. Bettina Ugolini, Andrea B. Horn, Universität Zürich, Bundesamt für Statistik BFS, Université de Neuchâtel, Université de Fribourg/Universität Freiburg, Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences

❓Was macht ein langes und gutes Leben bis ins hohe Alter aus? ❓Wie können wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse sinnvoll in der Praxis umgesetzt werden? ❓Welchen Sinn finden wir angesichts der eigenen Vergänglichkeit? Diese und weitere Fragen wurden am gestrigen Gerontologietag 2024 «Implementierungswissenschaft und Ethik in der Alter(n)sforschung: Innovative Ansätze und notwendige Überlegungen» in Zürich diskutiert. 🙏 Herzlichen Dank an die UZH Professor:innen Rahel Naef (Implementierungswissenschaft) und Michael Coors (Sozialethik) für die inspirierenden Vorträge. 🏆 Im Rahmen der aufschlussreichen Tagung wurde auch der renommierte Vontobel-Preis für Alter(n)sforschung verliehen. 🎉 Herzlichen Glückwunsch an die diesjährigen Preisträger*innen Ariane Bertogg, Isabel Hotz Marchán und Pascal Deschwanden, und Patrick Manser für ihre innovative Forschung! 🔗 Zur Fotogalerie https://lnkd.in/dKMC_P94 🔗 Zur Preisverleihung https://lnkd.in/dA77MwWi 🔗 Weiterführende Informationen (https://lnkd.in/dFngbzud) #Gerontologie #Altern #Forschung Mike Martin, Harald Gall, Birgit Kleim, Christina Röcke, Susan Mérillat, Marc Grosjean, Edouard Battegay, Burcu Demiray, Marcus Grüschow, Marta Marciniak, Stephanie Homan, PhD, Sandra Oppikofer, Dr. phil. Bettina Ugolini, Andrea B. Horn, Universität Zürich, Marlies Heerdegen, G Spinas