Healthy aging: Why staying connected matters

Column by Rob Jones, director of Integrated Marketing Communications, University of Missouri Extension; Naomi Meinertz, extension state specialist in aging; Candace Rodman, assistant extension professor, MU College of Health Sciences; Steve Ball, extension state fitness specialist and curators distinguished professor, MU College of Health Sciences; and Kelsey Weitzel, associate extension professor, MU College of Health Sciences.

Missouri Office of Administration and U.S. Census data show that by 2030, one in five Missourians will be over 65. At the same time, the prevalence of chronic and degenerative disease is expected to increase.

This raises an important question: Are we helping people age well?

Rethinking what it means to age well

In addition to managing disease and preventing decline, healthy aging includes staying independent, staying in one’s home and community, and maintaining strong relationships.

Many older adults want to stay involved. They volunteer, support their families and contribute to their communities. When people stay active and connected, they are more likely to keep playing those roles.

In that sense, aging well is about continuing to have meaning in one’s life.

What’s getting in the way

For many Missourians, that is easier said than done. Access to care and support can be difficult, especially in rural areas where healthcare options and local resources may be limited. Even when services are available, people may need to travel long distances or relocate to receive care. Unreliable transportation can make it even harder to attend appointments and stay connected to community life.

The systems themselves can also be hard to navigate. Federal programs often come with complex requirements, and the cost of care continues to rise, erecting more barriers for individuals and families.

Social connection is part of the challenge as well. Many communities lack safe places to be active or spend time with others, making it harder for people to stay engaged. When people become separated from their communities, there is often an increase in loneliness, which is linked to declining health.

Impact on Missourians

These challenges are connected, and they add pressure to individuals, families, communities and healthcare systems.

Families are taking on more caregiving responsibilities, often balancing work and care at the same time. Some leave the workforce altogether. Communities feel the impact when fewer people are able to stay engaged. Healthcare systems are seeing rising demand and higher costs. 

What works

Improving healthy aging starts with a shift in focus.

Instead of waiting for problems to arise, we can invest in the conditions that help people stay healthy. Physical activity helps people maintain strength, balance and confidence. Social connection supports both mental and physical health. Having a routine and a sense of purpose keeps people engaged.

Supporting people in staying in their homes and communities is also key. Small changes, like home modifications or access to local programs, can make a big difference.

Communities can play a role. Safe places to enjoy outdoors, opportunities to gather and accessible programs all make it easier for people to stay connected.

It also requires a cultural shift. Rather than viewing aging as a burden, it can be seen as a valuable stage of life. When communities recognize the experience, knowledge and contributions of older adults, and allow them to be a part of the conversation, it is easier to build systems that support them.

What happens when it works

When communities support healthy aging, the benefits extend well beyond the individual.

Older adults remain independent and engaged. Families are less strained. Communities benefit from the experience and contributions of older residents.

Healthcare systems benefit as well. The need for intensive care lessens when people stay healthier longer.

Where MU Extension fits in

This is where University of Missouri Extension plays an important role.

MU Extension offers programs like Stay Strong, Stay Healthy and Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention. These programs help people build strength, improve balance and feel more confident in their daily lives.

Just as important, they bring people together. Participants build relationships, and many stay connected long after the programs end. On average, participants who complete these programs save more than $1,000 annually in healthcare costs.

MU Extension also creates opportunities for people to stay involved in their communities. Volunteer opportunities like 4-H, Extension Master Gardener, Missouri Master Naturalist and MU Extension councils give people ways to share their knowledge, stay active and remain connected to others.

Specialists also help communities create environments that support healthy aging. That includes working with local partners to expand access to safe spaces for physical activity and strengthen community resources.

What comes next

Improving health in Missouri will require helping people stay active, connected and engaged in their communities.

Aging is not a problem to solve. It is a stage of life to support.

If Missouri wants to strengthen its future, it must invest in the systems and communities that help people stay connected, keep their independence and continue contributing to the places they call home.