Blog posts
Intrinsic capacity and aging: maintaining vitality
Published on 28 January 2025
Aging is not just a biological process, but a complex journey involving body, mind and emotions. It is often associated with the idea of an inevitable decline in capacity, but this view fails to consider the enormous possibilities offered by a proactive and personalized approach. This is where the concept of intrinsic capacity comes in: a dynamic resource that we can cultivate and preserve to live not only longer, but with greater quality of life.
Intrinsic capacity, defined by WHO (https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/healthy-ageing-and-functional-ability), represents the sum of physical, mental, and emotional functions that enable a person to cope with daily challenges. With age, some aspects of this capacity may decline, but this does not mean that the decline is inevitable or irreversible. Through targeted interventions and innovative technologies, it is possible to slow, and in some cases reverse, this trajectory.
Innovative technology platforms use sensors and artificial intelligence to assess and improve intrinsic capacity in real time. Parameters such as balance, muscle strength, memory, and sleep quality are analyzed to provide a complete picture of an individual's health, enabling timely and targeted interventions. For example, a slight decline in walking speed may be the first sign of physical frailty, but if detected early, specific exercises can be intervened to prevent falls or other complications.
Another key aspect is the role of physical activity. Recent studies show that targeted exercises, such as muscle strengthening and improving balance, not only slow physical decline, but also stimulate brain plasticity, improving memory and learning ability. Sociality also plays a key role: maintaining meaningful relationships and participating in group activities promotes emotional well-being, reducing the risk of depression and isolation, which are often associated with aging.
One element that is often underestimated is nutrition. Nutrients such as high-quality protein, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids are essential to support cell regeneration and optimal brain function. Combined with personalized monitoring, the diet can be optimized to meet the specific needs of each individual, thus promoting healthy aging.
The integration of digital technologies in elderly care is not only about monitoring, but also about preventing chronic diseases. Artificial intelligence can identify correlations between risk factors, suggesting lifestyle modifications that, if adopted in time, can delay the onset of degenerative diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and Alzheimer's.
However, the success of these approaches also depends on a cultural change. There is a need to move away from the idea that aging is a passive and inevitable process and embrace a more optimistic view in which every stage of life offers opportunities for growth and adaptation. Empowerment of older people, through education and access to innovative tools, is one of the keys to building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Aging, if approached with awareness and the support of science, can be transformed into a period of new possibilities, in which vitality and resilience become the stars of a long and meaningful life.