To Age or Not To Age––Aging With Vitality is the Goal

I love to hear, or engage in conversations about aging. I mean, it’s been going on forever, right? We should all be an expert since we’ve observed the process from childhood. So, now that my generation is considered the “older-generation” I pretty much follow the path of my elders, right? WRONG!

Science, discovery and technology have completely changed the rules of aging, if there were such rules.

I grew up with many “older” persons in my family. German immigrant grandparents and great- grandparents brought a strong family foundation rooted in the “old country.” Now these hardy Germans were active and strong but longevity for most of their generation lasted only through their sixth to eighth decades. There were a few “old duffers,” as my dad called them, that lived into their 90s and maybe to 100.

The U.S. Vital Statistics gives these life expectancy numbers, which should be encouraging to the Baby Boomers:

Life expectancy in USA Men Women

1900 46.3 48.3

1946 64.4 69.4

1948 64.6 69.9

1953 66.9 72.0

1964 66.9 73.7

1972 67.4 75.1

1985 71.1 78.2

1998 73.8 79.5

2000 73.9 79.5

2015 76.2 82.2

*2015––nearly half a million centenarians (100-years of age and older) populated the world, which was four times as many as 25-years prior by United Nations estimates.

These are general numbers, not compiled by specific groups or regions. This does show that as improvements in industrialization, sanitation, health and hygiene entered the scene, the life expectancy was extended.

Headlines addressing aging and longevity are becoming more widespread and include these: “Dawn of a New Age: The first person to reach 150 is already alive,” and “Human Age Reversal: Are We There Already?”

Steven Goodman wrote in The Centenarian (May 15, 2017), “. . .centenarians, people who reach the age of 100 years or more, are currently the fastest growing part of the population.” www.TheCentenarian.co.uk One of the trending headlines you may have read asks, “Is 100 the New 80?: Centenarians Are Becoming More Common.”

A healthy and long life is the wish of many. The topic of aging is trending across the globe. What does this mean for you? I recently heard a wellness conference speaker ask his audience, “If you do live to 100 years, what will that look like for you?”

Being a wellness service provider and educator for many years, I’ve seen great advancements enter our world that make the aging process much more doable, fun, healthy and less demanding. We live in an exceptional time to be aging! With medical technology and diagnostics, exceptional senior housing and activity options, holistic and natural health and wellness options, we have many choices to live long, being well.

I’ve always believed the term anti-aging is an oxymoron. However, I do strongly believe in aging intervention! I want my mind and body to reach the finish line at the same time! How about you? Some steps I’ve included in my Aging-With-Vitality journey may also help you reach your goal:

Stay active with age and ability appropriate movement
Eat to thrive, choosing fewer foods from the processed options and more from the fresh, seasonal options. Also, drink plenty water.
Sleep well so that your body has plenty of time to recharge and replenish.
Stay connected with friends and family.
L-A-U-G-H a lot!
Continue with a hobby or other activity you enjoy.
Feed your brain! Mental activity is crucial as well as brain-healthy foods.

May is the month to honor older Americans . . . or celebrate being one. Savor the Season!

"Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength."
~Betty Friedan (1921-2006)