Seniors are much "younger" these days. And yet, when we reach that age—usually after 50 or 65—we notice there are a lot of different factors affecting our bodies and brains, and we wonder: what should we be doing about it? Or is it too late?
There's not much good advice or any new guidelines to turn to when it comes to learning how to age well. Our grandparents and parents didn't have the same possibilities we do. They just accepted aging and grew older―and usually weaker and sicker―without questioning it.
This is a new era where many seniors over 70 and 80, even 90, are still very active, playing sports, living energetically, and participating fully in ways not expected in previous generations. Some run marathons, do bodybuilding, write books, participate in arts and entertainment, and are even into online dating.
Roughly 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 in the U.S. every day, and more of them are not giving in to old age. Like me, they’re fighting back.
Contemporaries and family may tell us we're too old to do this or that, but we're not listening. Sure, we're limited by some physical conditions, but we're also finding ways to work around obstacles and injuries and stay as active as we can, no matter what.
At 80, my bone density and muscle mass are the same as a heathy 45 year-old male. My mind is sharp and my reaction times are excellent. All of this didn’t happen because I retired to sit in front of the television and watch reality TV.
She is 75 and his husband is 80 doing reaping the benefits of exercise.
0 Comments