ABSTRACT
The process of life-span development can be a rewarding physical and emotional journey (Olshansky & Carnes, 2000). The quest for a long, healthy, enjoyable life has attracted much attention from the most prominent Nobel laureates studying biological processes, to the most quirky popphilosophers who find their messages of longevity saturating the media. The best and most recent empirical evidence from the biological and medical sciences indicates that there may be very little each of us can do "to extend the latent potential for longevity that was present at your conception. However ... there are many things you can do as an individual to reduce your risk of disease, enhance your health and level of fitness, and improve the odds of achieving your longevity potential" (Olshansky & Carnes, 2000, p. 236). The goal of life should not be to simply live as long as possible, but to live a healthy, satisfying, high-quality life. We believe that communication is a key ingredient in this process of maintaining good health, satisfaction, and a high-quality long life.
