Mayo Clinic physicians are working hard to change how clinicians and patients think about aging. A new publication in Mayo Clinic Proceedings outlines a new framework for ‘healthspan’ — the years of life spent in good health, with preserved function, cognition and independence.

What is ‘Healthspan’?

According to Dr. Christina Chen, a Mayo Clinic physician in internal medicine and geriatrics, ‘healthspan’ is about how well you live during those years — your ability to function independently, think clearly, and maintain a good quality of life. It shifts the focus from simply adding years to making sure those years are meaningful.

Dr. Chen and her team argue that living longer is not necessarily the same as living well and explores how a greater focus on healthspan could reshape medical care.

Why Does This Distinction Matter Now?

Doctors have been very successful at extending lifespan, but less effective at preserving the quality of those added years. What we are seeing in clinical practice is that many people are living longer with chronic disease, reduced mobility, cognitive impairment and increasing dependence.

A healthspan-focused approach shifts the goal of care toward helping patients stay independent, mobile and clear-minded for as long as possible. It also changes how we talk to patients. Instead of focusing only on treating disease, we can frame care around how to preserve function, cognition and overall well-being so they are able to live well with dignity.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.