What Is Healthspan? How to Stay Active and Independent Longer

Key takeaways:

• Healthspan refers to the years of life spent in good health, with fewer limitations from chronic disease, disability or loss of function.¹

• Lifespan measures how long you live. Healthspan focuses on how well you live during those years.

• There is no single way to measure healthspan, but mobility, strength, balance, energy, memory, mood, daily function and health care routines can all be useful signals.

• Regular movement, nutritious eating, sleep, social connection, preventive care and conversations with your doctor can help support healthy aging.

• You should always talk with your doctor before changing your exercise routine, diet, medications or health goals, especially if you have a chronic condition, pain, balance concerns or recent health changes.

What is a healthspan?

Healthspan generally refers to the years of life spent in good health, with fewer limitations from chronic disease, disability or loss of mobility.¹

Healthspan vs. lifespan

Healthspan and lifespan are related, but they are not the same thing.

Pawar says, “The goal is not just to live a long life. The goal is to spend as many of those years as possible feeling healthy and functional.”

That is why healthspan is often more meaningful than lifespan alone. A longer life can be valuable, but many older adults also want those years to include movement, independence, connection and purpose.

Why healthspan matters after 65

As they age, older adults are focused on more than simply adding years to their lives. In a 2026 Mutual of Omaha Aging Well Survey, nearly all adults over 65 say maintaining their health and independence is important, either as their top priority (49%) or as equally as living a long life (50%).*

Supporting your healthspan is not about chasing perfect health or avoiding every health challenge. It is about supporting the abilities that help you keep doing the things that matter to you, such as walking comfortably, managing daily routines, staying socially connected and feeling confident and mobile at home.

6 ways to support your healthspan

You cannot control every part of aging, and no habit can guarantee a specific health outcome. But healthspan is shaped by everyday choices, routines and health conversations that support how you function day to day.

The goal is not to overhaul your life all at once. It is to look for practical ways to support your strength, mobility, energy, sleep, nutrition, social connection and preventive care over time. The steps below can help you think about where to start and what to discuss with your doctor.

1. Stay active in ways that support strength, balance and mobility

Regular movement can help support strength, balance, endurance and confidence with everyday activities. Adults 65 and older need a mix of aerobic, muscle-strengthening and balance activities each week.²

However, daily movement does not need to start with a complicated routine. Many older adults want to keep moving in ways that support the activities they enjoy. That includes walking or hiking, which 87% of adults age 65+ want to keep doing as they age.*

A well-rounded routine can support more than one area of health. Pawar says, “Strength training, cardio, balance and flexibility all work together to help people stay active and independent.”

You should always talk with your doctor before starting or changing an exercise routine, especially if you have pain, dizziness, balance concerns, heart or lung conditions, recent surgery or a history of falls.

2. Eat in a way that supports energy and daily function

A healthy eating pattern can support your energy, strength and overall well-being. Healthy diets are generally varied, balanced and built around nutrient-dense foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and lean sources of protein.⁵

For older adults, nutrition can also connect to muscle strength, bone health, digestion, hydration and medication routines. You do not need to follow a complicated, trendy or restrictive plan to make useful changes.

Consider asking your doctor or a registered dietitian:

• Am I getting enough protein for my age and activity level?

• Do any of my medications affect appetite, hydration or nutrient needs?

• Should I adjust sodium, sugar, alcohol or caffeine?

• Are there foods I should limit because of a health condition?

• Would a dietitian be helpful for my goals?

You should always consult with your doctor before adapting your diet, especially if you have diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, digestive issues or other health conditions.

3. Prioritize sleep and recovery

Sleep affects energy, focus, mood and daily function. Adults are generally advised to get at least 7 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.⁴

Sleep can also change with age, routines, medications, pain, stress or health conditions. If you often wake up tired, have trouble falling asleep, wake up often or feel sleepy during the day, bring it up with your doctor.

You can ask:

• Could my medications be affecting my sleep?

• Should I be screened for sleep apnea?

• Could pain, stress, bladder issues or another health condition be interrupting sleep?

• What routine changes are safe for me to try before bed?

4. Stay socially connected

Healthspan is not only physical. Supportive relationships are also linked with physical and emotional health, including lower stress, less loneliness and greater quality of life.⁶

Social connection can look different for different people. It may include:

• Walking with a friend

• Calling family regularly

• Joining a class or club

• Volunteering

• Attending community events

• Gardening, painting, golfing or cooking with others

• Going to group exercise or water aerobics

For some people, health changes, mobility limits, transportation or the loss of friends and family can make connection harder. If loneliness, grief or mood changes are affecting your daily life, talk with your doctor.

5. Keep up with preventive care and regular health conversations

Preventive care gives you and your doctor time to discuss screenings, vaccines, medications, fall risk, memory, mood and other health factors that may affect independence over time.

Dr. Pawar says, “Preventive care is about catching things early, before they become harder to manage.”

Before your next preventive care visit, write down your current medications, recent health changes and the questions you want to ask. This can help you make better use of the appointment, whether it is a Medicare annual wellness visit, a Welcome to Medicare visit or another check-in with your doctor. If you are not sure what to ask, it may help to review which preventive care and screenings are recommended for your age, health history and risk factors.

Preventive care works best when your doctor has a clear picture of what you are experiencing day to day.

6. Pay attention to pain, balance and barriers to activity

Many older adults age 65+ want to stay active, but real-life barriers can get in the way. That includes pain or injury, low energy, health conditions, balance concerns and fear of getting hurt.*

Those concerns are worth discussing with your doctor. Do not push through pain, dizziness, chest discomfort, shortness of breath or new weakness. Ask whether a physical therapist, occupational therapist, supervised exercise class or different type of movement may be safer for you.

What factors affect healthspan?

Healthspan is affected by many factors, including genetics, environment, health conditions, access to care and daily habits. You cannot control every part of aging, but you can talk with your doctor about the factors that may matter most for your health history.

Important areas to discuss include:

• Physical activity

• Nutrition

• Sleep

• Social connection

• Medications

• Chronic condition management

• Fall risk

• Tobacco use

• Alcohol use

• Pain, balance or mobility changes

Dr. Pawar says the major areas often work together: “Diet, activity, sleep and social connection are four major areas that can support healthy aging.”

How do you measure your own healthspan?

There is no single test that measures healthspan. Researchers and doctors may look at different markers, such as chronic disease, disability, mobility, cognitive function or ability to complete daily activities.¹

At home, it can help to think about healthspan through everyday function.

These questions are not a diagnosis, but they can help you notice patterns and decide what to bring up with your doctor.

If you track your health goals, keep notes in a personal health file so your questions, medication list, recent changes and doctor recommendations are easier to find.

What accelerates aging the most?

Aging is complex, and no single factor explains it for everyone. However, smoking, poor nutrition, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use are risk factors for many preventable chronic diseases.³

Other factors, such as unmanaged health conditions, poor sleep, chronic stress, social isolation, unsafe home environments and missed follow-up care, may also affect how well someone functions over time.

A good next step is to ask your doctor which factors matter most for your health history. For some people, that may be blood pressure. For others, it may be balance, medication side effects, sleep, nutrition, strength, blood sugar or mood.

Build a healthspan plan around what matters to you

Healthspan is personal. The goal is not to match someone else’s routine. It is to support the activities, responsibilities and relationships that matter in your life.

Before your next doctor visit, consider writing down:

• What you want to keep doing over the next 5, 10 or 15 years

• What has become harder in the past year

• What you are avoiding because of pain, fatigue, balance or fear of falling

• Which medications or symptoms you have questions about

• What kind of support would make healthy habits easier

Dr. Pawar says long-term goals can make the conversation more meaningful: “When people feel healthy, I ask them to think about what they want to be able to do 10 or 15 years from now.”

That perspective can help you and your doctor connect healthy aging habits to real life, whether that means walking comfortably, traveling, gardening, keeping up with family or staying confident at home.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is the concept of healthspan?

Healthspan is the amount of time you live in good health, with enough physical, mental and social function to participate in daily life. It focuses on how well you live, not only how long you live.

What is the major difference between lifespan and healthspan?

Lifespan is the total number of years you live. Healthspan is the portion of those years spent in good health and function. A person can have a long lifespan but a shorter healthspan if illness, disability or loss of function affects many later years.

How can I increase my healthspan?

You cannot guarantee a longer healthspan, but healthy habits can help support it. Regular physical activity, strength and balance work, nutritious eating, sleep, social connection, preventive care and avoiding tobacco or excessive alcohol use can all play a role. Talk with your doctor before making major changes.

What are four habits that may support healthy aging?

Four practical habits are staying physically active, eating nutritious meals, getting enough sleep and staying socially connected. Preventive care and regular conversations with your doctor can also help you understand which habits matter most for your health.

How do you measure your own healthspan?

There is no single at-home measurement for healthspan. You can track practical signs such as walking ability, strength, balance, energy, memory, mood, social connection, ability to manage daily tasks and whether you are keeping up with preventive care.

What is the average healthspan?

Average healthspan can be difficult to define because researchers measure it in different ways, such as years without chronic disease, disability or major loss of function.¹ Instead of focusing only on an average number, it may be more helpful to talk with your doctor about your own mobility, strength, health conditions and goals.

What is the number one indicator of a long life?

There is no single indicator that predicts a long life for everyone. Physical activity, chronic condition management, nutrition, sleep, social connection, access to care and safety can all matter. Your doctor can help you understand which measures are most important for your health.

Sources:

*2026 Mutual of Omaha Aging Well Survey. Mutual of Omaha utilized research vendor quantilope to conduct a 5-minute online survey of 400 respondents age 50+ with an annual household income of $50,000 or more. Research was conducted June 17-21, 2026. All study data cited in this article is based on Mutual of Omaha proprietary research unless otherwise noted.

1. National Library of Medicine, Too Well to Die; Too Ill to Live: An Update on the Lifespan Versus Healthspan Frameworks, 2025, accessed June 2026.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Older Adult Activity: An Overview, Dec. 4, 2025, accessed June 2026.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Trends in Multiple Chronic Conditions Among US Adults, Jan. 30, 2025, accessed June 2026.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Short Sleep Duration and Sleep Difficulties Among Adults: United States, 2024, April 29, 2026, accessed June 2026.

5. World Health Organization, Healthy Diet, Jan. 26, 2026, accessed June 2026.

6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Information for Older Adults, Aug. 4, 2025, accessed June 2026.