Well, there’s the actuarial number and then there’s all the rest. Fact: The average life expectancy in the US has dropped over the last 5 yrs. But when we are told it is from Covid and Fentanyl overdose that paints a slightly different picture for me.
I had all the Covid vaccines and boosters - and Covid twice! - and I don’t use fentanyl or any other opioid. So why should I be told I only have X amount of years to live? If you remove covid and drug abuse (suicides in there too) the avg expectancy might well be over 80 - for the very reasons of better care you cite.
Age should always be considered in treatment planning but more importantly, the patient’s attitude about it. I know 50 year olds who moan “how much longer do I have anyway?” While my 95 yr old friend still works out on a speed bag!!