Staying healthy in old age

According to data from the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance), the average life expectancy of Vietnamese people in 2024 reached 74.7 years, higher than the global average of 73.4 years.

A long life expectancy is encouraging, but according to the World Health Organization, the healthy life expectancy of Vietnamese people is only 65.4 years. This number means that in the final 8 to 10 years of life, many older adults must live with illness or declining health.

Burden of disease in old age

Now 75 years old, N.S.T. (a resident of Tan Trieu Ward, Dong Nai province) has been living with non-communicable diseases for more than a decade. During his most recent examination at Dong Nai General Hospital, in addition to diabetes with neurological complications, under treatment for years, he was diagnosed with stage 3 chronic kidney disease. He also suffers from prostate enlargement, a herniated disc, a 5mm gallbladder polyp, mixed hyperlipidemia, tachycardia, and prostatic hyperplasia.

According to projections from the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance), Vietnam is expected to have 17.2 million elderly seniors by 2029, rising to 31.6 million by 2069. Without feasible solutions, it is forecast that by 2038, Vietnam will enter the stage of an aging population.

After the examination, T. was prescribed a 14-day course of medication and advised to return for regular check-ups and not to discontinue the medication without medical guidance.

T. shared: For more than 10 years, he has been going to the hospital for medical examinations and taking medicine as often as "going to the market". The diseases he has suffered from cannot be completely cured and must be treated for life. Therefore, T. always carries the medicine with him, not daring to forget a single day. Due to his illness, T.'s health has declined, and he can only do light work.

As for P.M.H. (65 years old, residing in Tran Bien Ward, Dong Nai province), he discovered he had high blood pressure and atherosclerosis a few months after his retirement.

“Before retiring, my wife and I had planned to travel, but we couldn’t do it because of illness. If we wanted to go anywhere, we would only go for a few days, and we always had to carry blood pressure medication with us. There were several times when my blood pressure was high and I had to be hospitalized for emergency treatment,” H. confided.

Dr. Nguyen Tat Trung, Head of the Planning and Synthesis Department at Dong Nai General Hospital, said: “Common illnesses among the elderly include cardiovascular disease (including hypertension), cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and cataracts.”

There are several reasons why many elderly seniors suffer from multiple health conditions at the same time, including poor nutrition and unhealthy habits such as smoking, alcohol abuse, high salt intake, low consumption of green vegetables, sedentary lifestyles, and being overweight. In addition, environmental factors and climate change also play a role.

The fact that older adults are affected by multiple chronic conditions places significant pressure not only on household finances but also on the healthcare and social security systems.

To be happy and healthy in old age

Although she is 90 years old this year, Ha Thi Kim, a resident of Tan Trieu Ward, still practices folk dance daily at the Tan Chau Club. Alongside members aged 40 to 50, Kim regularly takes part in folk dance exchange performances with other clubs across the province. She is a shining example of perseverance and dedication, inspiring both her family and fellow club members with her unwavering commitment to practice and refusal to give up.

Also passionate about health and finding joy in later life, Ngo Thi Huyen, 70, a resident of Tam Hiep Ward, Dong Nai province, has been practicing folk dance for more than 10 years. Huyen frequently shares video clips of her performances, enhanced with artificial intelligence applications that creatively change the background.

Huyen said, “Aging is a natural law, and no one can avoid the aging of the body. However, it depends on how we accept old age to have the best way to treat ourselves. I am always satisfied with what I have, think positively, and live optimistically.”

According to Dr. Nguyen Tat Trung, to live a happy and healthy life in old age, the first step is for each individual to be financially proactive. At the same time, it is important to maintain good habits such as exercising regularly to promote healthy circulation and mental well-being; staying connected with family, friends, and the community; following a balanced and nutritious diet; getting regular health check-ups; taking medications as prescribed; ensuring adequate sleep; quitting smoking; and minimizing alcohol and stimulant use.

Dr. Nguyen Tat Trung emphasized that to prevent non-communicable diseases, older adults should reduce their intake of salt, fat, and sugar. They are also encouraged to take nutritional supplements to compensate for potential deficiencies in the body. When experiencing any health issues, they should consult a doctor for proper examination, advice, and treatment, avoiding both self-medication and discontinuing medication without guidance.

By: Hanh Dung

Translated by: Quoc Dung - Minho