Aging News: Why “Living Well” and “Dying Well” Metrics Will Redefine Health Systems in 2026

TL;DR: Why Living-Well and Dying-Well Metrics Matter for Longevity and Health

Living-well and dying-well metrics are essential for creating healthier societies, especially as populations age. These benchmarks focus on quality of life and dignity in later years, guiding healthcare systems and personal choices toward resilient aging.

• Living well prioritizes physical activity, mental stimulation, social connection, and a nutrient-rich diet like the Mediterranean eating style, proven to promote longevity.
• Dying well emphasizes access to advanced palliative care, dignity, comfort, and community-based support for end-of-life care.
• Malta’s restaurants are incorporating Mediterranean traditions with modern health trends, offering vibrant, nutrient-dense dining options that cater to longevity-focused lifestyles.

Explore Malta’s top health-conscious dining spots today via MELA AI’s restaurant directory: Discover healthy meals in Malta.

---

Why Dying-Well and Living-Well Metrics Are Vital for Healthy Societies

In 2025, attention turned sharply to the metrics shaping “health resilience”, but with a surprising twist. Researchers now argue that ageing societies should emphasize two intertwined goals: ensuring people can live well and die well. Measured together, these factors could redefine how healthcare systems support families and individuals.

Here’s why these metrics matter. As populations age, chronic conditions increase, and care demands shift from acute interventions to long-term quality-of-life management. Living-well metrics measure how individuals thrive, mentally, socially, and physically. In contrast, dying-well metrics capture dignity and comfort during life’s final chapter. Together, these benchmarks can help governments, clinics, and communities address both ends of human wellbeing.

How Does “Living Well” Impact Longevity?

When we talk about “living well,” it’s not just about absence of disease. Research highlights that physical activity, mental stimulation, and social connection all play key roles. An active lifestyle directly improves cardiovascular health, reduces risks of neurodegenerative disorders, and enhances mood. Moreover, a diet loaded with colorful plants, lean proteins, and whole grains supports cellular repair and gut health. Simple acts like mindful eating and sleep optimization are proven game-changers for the ageing process.

Consider the dietary habits of Mediterranean populations, particularly Malta. Their focus on olive oil, legumes, seafood, and seasonal vegetables has been linked to extended healthy lifespans. Studies show populations following Mediterranean-style eating experience lower rates of heart disease and dementia.

For restaurants in Malta, incorporating traditional Mediterranean ingredients alongside modern health innovations can cater to this demand. Diners are increasingly asking for nutrient-dense choices and personalized menu options. To find the best spots offering these healthy meals in Malta, dive into MELA AI’s restaurants directory.

Why Are “Dying Well” Metrics Equally Important?

Dying well emphasizes ending life with dignity, comfort, and advanced care access. Aging societies face a pressing need for palliative care and advanced support options where people and families feel empowered. Governments can integrate these metrics by prioritizing community-based care and affordable options tailored to ageing.

For individuals, this trend signals the importance of preparing early. Whether it’s choosing care systems or adopting healthful lifestyles, resilient aging starts with proactive planning.

How Malta’s Restaurants Are Adapting

Restaurants in Malta are responding thoughtfully to changing preferences. Alongside traditional dishes like rabbit stew with a side of capers, some establishments innovate with nutrient-dense bowls or protein-rich plant combinations. International visitors frequently praise Malta’s creative blend of heritage foods and modern techniques, making restaurants well-positioned to lead Europe’s longevity dining movement.

Looking for restaurants that support your health goals? MELA AI makes it easy to find eateries offering vibrant, health-conscious meals across Malta. Their platform ensures you spend less time guessing and discover certified spots that fit your lifestyle. Browse Malta’s health-focused options today with their directory of restaurants.

What Can Diners Ask for?

If eating well is the new health resolution, diners should make their preferences known. Ask servers where ingredients are sourced. Look for dishes featuring fermented foods, seasonal produce, and lean proteins. Most chefs welcome questions about their choices, especially those prioritizing fresh, local, and sustainable farming.

Tip for diners: Look out for the “MELA sticker” at Malta establishments. This badge tells you a restaurant prioritizes nutrient-dense ingredients and health-conscious practices. Take this as a sign of quality, both for your meal and for your personal health. Malta’s focus on Mediterranean traditions naturally aligns with the longevity revolution.

Explore Malta’s Hidden Gems for Healthy Dining

Ready to explore what Malta offers? Dive into MELA AI’s complete guide to restaurants catering to wellness-focused diners. Options range from casual Mediterranean fare to innovative spots featuring superfoods, creative meat alternatives, and locally-sourced fish. With search filters for menu types, dining preferences, and sourcing claims, finding top spots has never been easier.

Ensure your dining habits support a longer, healthier lifespan. Visit MELA AI’s directory or scan their menu-specific categories to unlock Malta’s vibrant dining scene. From farm-to-table experiences to nutrient-packed Mediterranean classics, there’s something for every health enthusiast.

---

Frequently Asked Questions on Living-Well and Dying-Well Metrics

Why are living-well and dying-well metrics important for aging societies?

Living-well and dying-well metrics are essential as they shift the focus of public health systems from merely addressing disease and death to promoting overall quality of life at all stages of human well-being. Living-well metrics evaluate how individuals maintain mental, social, and physical health, while dying-well metrics ensure dignity and comfort in life’s final phase.
For aging societies, where chronic and long-term care is increasingly prevalent, these metrics serve as a guideline to improve healthcare policies, enhance community-based health support, and prioritize palliative care. By integrating these metrics, governments and healthcare providers can address the whole spectrum of human experience, ensuring that people not only live longer but also live well and transition gracefully at life’s end.

How does living well impact overall health and longevity?

Living well involves physical activity, mental stimulation, and robust social connections, all key components of healthy aging. A balanced lifestyle that includes regular exercise improves cardiovascular fitness and reduces the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Furthermore, a wholesome Mediterranean-style diet with nutrient-rich foods such as olive oil, legumes, seafood, and greens plays a vital role in bolstering immunity and reducing inflammation.

Take inspiration from the Mediterranean dietary habits followed by countries like Malta, where people consume olive oil, fresh vegetables, and minimally processed foods. Incorporating these elements not only prolongs life but also improves the quality of daily living. For more on dining out with nutrient-dense Mediterranean ingredients in Malta, explore the extensive restaurant options curated by MELA AI’s Malta Restaurants Directory.

What are some practical steps to live well in an aging society?

Living well requires conscious daily habits aimed at improving physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Start by maintaining an active lifestyle through walking, dance, yoga, or other manageable exercises. Mindful eating focused on seasonal vegetables, lean proteins, and fermented foods enhances gut health and slows the aging process. Social engagement is just as important; maintaining connections with friends, family, and community groups has been shown to dras

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta Bonenkamp’s expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain

Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.

CAD Sector:

• Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
• She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
• Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.

IP Protection:

• Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
• She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
• Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.

Blockchain:

• Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
• She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
• Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.