When people think about ageing, it’s often associated with slowing down, developing health conditions, or becoming less active. However, as we celebrate National Wellness Month, we recognise that healthy ageing is not simply about avoiding illness. It is about maintaining physical, mental, and social wellbeing so that we can continue doing the things that matter most to us.
Growing older is a natural part of life, and thanks to advances in healthcare, many people are living longer than ever before. In fact, in the UK, the Office for National Statistics shows life expectancy at birth is 83.0 years for females and 79.1 years for males1, compared to 75.9 years for females and 69.8 for males 50 years ago2.
But understanding how to age well and remain healthy in later life requires ongoing medical research. This is where older healthy volunteers play an essential role.
What Is Healthy Ageing?
Healthy ageing looks different for everyone, but there are some common characteristics. It can include staying physically active, maintaining mobility and independence, keeping mentally engaged, enjoying social connections, and having the ability to manage everyday activities with confidence.
Many adults in their 60s, 70s, and beyond continue to lead active lifestyles, travel, volunteer, care for family members, and pursue hobbies. For those elderly people who adopt active lifestyles, they have 3 to 5 extra years of life compared to being sedentary, meaning an active 60-year-old often has a total remaining life expectancy of 24 to 28 years, depending on overall health and gender3.
To continue to improve quality of life, scientists and medics need to study healthy individuals as well as people living with medical conditions to offer valuable insights that can help improve treatments, prevention strategies, and healthcare services.
Why Healthy Volunteers Matter
Clinical research often focuses on developing new medicines, improving existing treatments, and gaining a deeper understanding of how the body changes over time. While patients with specific health conditions are frequently involved in studies, healthy volunteers are equally important.
Healthy volunteers provide a baseline against which researchers can compare results. Their participation helps scientists understand how age, lifestyle, and natural biological changes influence health. This information can help researchers identify early signs of disease, improve diagnostic tools, and develop treatments that are safer and more effective.
For studies involving older adults, healthy volunteers aged 60 and over are particularly valuable. Their participation helps ensure that medical research reflects the realities of an ageing population and that future healthcare innovations meet the needs of older people.
How Taking Part in Research Can Make a Difference
Participating in a clinical trial as a healthy volunteer is an opportunity to contribute to medical progress that could benefit future generations. Many participants say they enjoy knowing they are helping to advance scientific understanding and support the development of new healthcare solutions.
Clinical trials are carefully designed and closely monitored, with participant safety at the centre of every study. Before deciding to take part, volunteers are given clear information about what the study involves and have the opportunity to ask questions before providing consent.
Could You Help Shape the Future of Healthcare?
MAC Clinical Research is currently recruiting healthy volunteers aged 60 and over for a number of upcoming clinical trials exploring potential new treatments for a range of medical conditions.
By volunteering for a clinical trial, you can contribute to important research that may improve healthcare for older adults for years to come. Every advance in medicine starts with people who are willing to participate in research, and healthy volunteers remain one of the most important parts of that journey.
If eligible, you will receive payment for your time and commitment plus reasonable travel expenses and a full free health check-up.
For more information on eligibility and to register your interest, please visit MAC’s Healthy Older Adult Volunteers research webpage.
1 Office for National Statistics – National life tables – life expectancy in the UK: 2022 to 2024
2 Country Economy – Life expectancy improves in United Kingdom
3 Journal of Aging Research – Does Physical Activity Increase Life Expectancy? A Review of the Literature
