Joyspan: A new perspective on living longer and fulfilled lives

It's long been understood that good health is key to a longer life. But what about the role of joy, fun and happiness? Dr Jonathan Doherty, Subject Adviser for Ageing and Learning, discusses the concept of 'joyspan' and how the very ethos of u3a promotes more satisfying, fulfilling later lives.

Curiosity, connection and joy: u3a members with handmade flower crowns at the u3a Festival in 2024

An ageing population

In today’s world we are living longer. In England and Wales the population aged 100 and over has reached a new high, doubling in the last two decades. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in 2023 the estimated population aged 90 years plus was 611,719; an increase of 0.3% from 2022. The trend has been increasing since the middle of the 20th century.

Every country is seeing an increase in both the numbers and proportion of their older population. By 2030, 1 in 6 people worldwide will be aged 60 years or over and the population aged 60 years and over will increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion. By 2050, the numbers of people over 80 years is expected to triple to reach 426 million!

A good thing? Yes.

Increased longevity is a triumph of modern medicine and health systems. A new era in the science of ageing and longevity medicine is unlocking the secrets to living longer.

Research in molecular biology, epigenetics and advanced therapies are now redefining the ageing process, and lengthening it. With a new generation of centenarian men and women on the horizon, can we look forward to happy, pain-free, trouble-free years ahead? Hopefully, but not necessarily, so. That is because, to a large extent the choice lies in our hands.

Controlling how we age

We have a degree of control over how we age. Living longer is no longer seen as an inevitable decline and a reduction of faculties through illness and loss of capabilities. Ageing is becoming recognised as a modifiable process, with the potential to slow up, reverse, or even prevent many age-related diseases.

Most people consider their age as the number of candles on their birthday cake each year, but how fast our cells and organs are aging is another story. In other words, if you are 50 years old, but your cells match up with someone who is 75, you are more likely to experience accelerated aging and earlier onset or progression of age-related disorders.

Lifespan vs healthspan

Lifespan is the amount of time a person can live on the planet. So far, the record is 122 years - set by a French woman Jeanne Calment.

Healthspan is the number of years spent in good health and relatively free from illness or disease. The scientific revolution promises to extend both our lifespans and healthspans, and offer new solutions to conditions such as dementia, cardiovascular disease, and so on.

But here is the rub: living longer is not the same as living years in good health. What in fact is the point in living longer if a person isn’t leading a fulfilled, happy and contented life? This is where “joyspan” comes in.

What is joyspan?

The work of gerontologist Dr. Kerry Burnight offers this as an optimistic approach to longevity.

Joyspan is the experience of psychological wellness and satisfaction in living longer. In a nutshell, joyspan is not only about living longer, but it is about living better. It is the years you enjoy living your life.

This practical approach, based on the science behind well-being celebrates contentment, connection, growth and meaning. A long life with high wellbeing being the ultimate for everyone.

The manifesto and scientific evidence backing up joyspan fits so well with the ethos of u3a. It reflects an approach whereby people come together to learn, to share experiences and to grow. The experiences in u3a groups across the UK in a wide range of activities demonstrate curiosity, sometimes resilience, purpose and quality connections, helping them to lead happier, fuller and more rewarding lives.

This is at the very heart of joyspan and at the heart of the u3a organisation and mission.

Find out how u3a can change your life - find your local u3a today.