101 on living past 101 – First note

I have been a long-term care physician for well over a decade. My observations is that to continue to live and survive till a ripe old age takes a lot of work. Compression of morbidity will be the key for living well past 101, with a good quality of life. To have shorter morbidity, some of the main causes, like chronic diseases, and cancers, should be delayed or avoided altogether.

A relatively new field of medicine thus emerged, Longevity medicine. It is common sense that younger people have relatively much lesser incidence of chronic diseases and cancers, compared to those in their sixties, seventies or older. Hence, if we can all slow down our biological age, perhaps we can live longer and free of chronic diseases and cancers.

Much research has been into Longevity medicine these days, looking at available medications and developing new pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals to enhance anti-aging. Exercise, nutrition, and mental well-being remained some of the key component to Longevity as well.

Mental well-being is difficult to maintain in these stressful and eventful days, and the current pandemic can attest to that. Ancient techniques like meditation, yoga and other practices are still in vogue to reduce mental stress and promote wellness.

Apart from personal factors, environmental factors play a large part in promoting healthy longevity as well. The availability of parks, accessible walkways and well-designed public place to enhance communication is crucial for ageing in place and healthy longevity alike.

In this and probably the following editions of Eldex Asia, as the Chairperson for the event, I will try my best to incorporate all these elements in the conferences and exhibitions. Do look at our conference this year! Sign up using the link provided: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/eldex-asia-2022-medical-conference-27-october-2022-suntec-hall-403-tickets-417428869987