The last years of life - health, treatment, and well-being

"The centre has had an impact in various ways. We have advanced our research field, embraced new collaborations and perspectives and contributed to the public debate on aging and the last years of life" Kaare Christensen

Since 2008, the Danish Aging Research  Center at the National Institute of Public Health at University of Southern Denmark (SDU), headed by Professor Kaare Christensen, has produced a series of remarkable findings with support from VELUX FOUNDATION. The centre focuses on the oldest senior citizens – people older than 90 – and has thereby contributed with new knowledge and insights about aging in general.

One finding has been that the improvement in the cognitive and physical abilities of senior citizens and thus greater self-sufficiency, compared to previous generations, is likely due to better living conditions throughout life.

This refutes the common hypothesis that the rising life expectancy of the population is solely due to medical advances, and that the added years to lives today are often burdened with illness. Important knowledge as a basis for improved treatment. The centre has also studied environ-mental factors, particularly using data from the twin registry. One finding has been that senior citizens do not suffer
long-term cognitive damage from anaesthesia during surgical procedures. This knowledge has influenced the guidelines for surgical procedures on senior citizens.

The centre’s focus on health, treatment and well-being during the last years of life, such as finding the right balance between overand under-treatment, has had an impact on health policy and the ‘independent for as long as possible’ mantra.

International research collaboration The centre has laid a foundation for a stimulating and productive interdisciplinary environment for aging research at SDU with close partners in Denmark and abroad.