In 2050, one in three French people will have celebrated their sixtieth birthday. This observation brings many challenges for the public authorities, including that of helping everyone to live longer and longer in good health and, if possible, while preserving their well-being. This is why the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (Inpes) has studied the different health behaviors of 55-85 year olds. The results of this health barometer reveal seniors living their advancing years rather well.
Illness is not necessarily a fear
With advancing age, seniors are more at risk of having Alzheimer’s disease or cancer. Despite progress in research, more than half of people aged 55 to 85 believe they have fears about these diseases: 53% for Alzheimer’s disease and 56% for the cancer. Conversely, they are only very few to fear illnesses related to tobacco (18%) or alcohol (11%).
The end of working life and the start of retirement are often accompanied by a change in lifestyle. This development is also reflected in the consumption of psychoactive substances. While adolescents and adults are experimenting with or settling into regular or even excessive practices, addictive practices among 55-85 year olds are less frequent.
The older we get the less we smoke
According to the Inpes Health Barometer, the over 55s are those who smoke the least with only 13% of daily smokers, against 41% among 15-54 year olds. Advancing age is a factor in lower consumption, whether in men or women:
– Among men, the number of smokers goes from 23% between 55 and 64 years old to 13% between 65 and 74 years old and 6% between 75 and 85 years old.
– Among women, the percentage goes from 18% between 55 and 64 years old to 7% between 65 and 74 years old and 4% beyond 75 years old.
“But if the number of smokers is so low among seniors, this can be partly explained by the fairly high proportion of 55-85 year olds, in particular women, who have never smoked” explains Inpes.
The older we get, the more we drink daily
Unlike tobacco consumption, advancing age is synonymous with an increase in daily alcohol consumption. Men are particularly concerned: 31% among 55-64 year olds, 43% among 65-74 year olds and up to 53.5% among 75-85 year olds. In lesser proportions, women are 11% between 55 and 64 years old, 16% between 65 and 74 years old and 22% after 75 years old. Wine remains the preferred drink with more than one in two seniors consuming it on a weekly basis. Beer comes far behind with only 24% of men and 6% of women.
Finally, cannabis use is a practice reserved for younger adults. With only one in 10 people aged 55-64 claiming to have smoked cannabis in their lifetime. This is five times less than among 20-34 year olds (51%) and twice less than among 45-54 year olds (23%).
