How old is old?
misterhub
Posts: 7,208 Member
My inlaws never slowed down until they hit their 90s. Vital and active right up to that point. I never thought of them as old.
Yet, I know people in their 40s who refuse to do certain activities because they're "just too old." Certainly, we all give in to certain physical requirements. I acknowledge that it is very hard for me to drive more than 8-9 hours, or so, anymore. Yet, when I was younger, I could drive 18 hours and still be ready to go at the other end. Still, there are so many activities that I can still do, and want to do, despite my age and even my weight. I am pretty game to try most things.
I can certainly understand physical ailments causing issues with movement and such. But, how much of getting old is due to physical aging and how much is due to the attitude of the individual? How many folks age prematurely due to attitude? How much does regular physical activity stave off both physical and mental aging?
Yet, I know people in their 40s who refuse to do certain activities because they're "just too old." Certainly, we all give in to certain physical requirements. I acknowledge that it is very hard for me to drive more than 8-9 hours, or so, anymore. Yet, when I was younger, I could drive 18 hours and still be ready to go at the other end. Still, there are so many activities that I can still do, and want to do, despite my age and even my weight. I am pretty game to try most things.
I can certainly understand physical ailments causing issues with movement and such. But, how much of getting old is due to physical aging and how much is due to the attitude of the individual? How many folks age prematurely due to attitude? How much does regular physical activity stave off both physical and mental aging?
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My grandmother was still mowing her own lawn out on her farm well into her 80s. This was in spite of her severe osteoporosis that left her walking hunched over all the time. It was a stroke that left her partially paralyzed that ended her independence. She died after about 18 months in a nursing home.
My grandfather had to give up many of his activities on the farm earlier than my grandmother due to his emphysema. It was partially caused by smoking and partially a lifetime of inhaling wheat dust. He never had a modern combine with an enclosed cab.
My father was very active until about 80 when congestive heart failure secondary to aortic stenosis curtailed many of his beloved activities. He hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up with his hiking club at age 76 in spite of an artificial hip.
These are all examples of people in my family that inspired me.
But I also see plenty of examples of those who seem to have a millions excuses as to why they can't be active no matter their age or physical condition here at the retirement community.
One of our most inspiring residents is 98 years young and still regularly exercises in our center. Her mind is very sharp!
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Well, I’m pretty much couch bound with a bum foot and bad attitude. But I’ve taken up studying Spanish.
If you don’t know, there’s a revolution in language learning. I discovered this about 2 months ago when the YouTube algorithm served up a TED talk by a guy who said he learned Chinese over the course of a few months.
There’s a different guy with an internet business called Fluent In 90 Days. That says it all. YouTube is loaded with youngsters who want to speak 6-8 languages and don’t intend to spend 4 years on each one.
But I had this question- am I too old at 68 to learn a language? Looks like the answer is no. But I have to push right into the face of some aging issues.
Turns out a big barrier to speaking, that is being able to converse, bad grammar and all, a barrier is a willingness to risk sounding dumb in your new language. And I think the fear of looking dumb, foolish, uncoordinated, incompetent- all that stuff, is a big problem in aging.
Little kids learn to talk when they don’t know from looking foolish. It’s all new to them. They don’t have an ego to defend yet.
Until I got hurt I was regularly trying to get new folks to try Pickleball. There’s a lot of performance anxiety out there.
All that said, I’m too old to drive all night to visit my cousin for the weekend and sleep on the floor in his den. Or is it I’m too smart now?0 -
Some of my medical conditions have had an effect on me and it is hard to separate them out from aging per se. I did cycle about 3500 miles last year and did some walking too. That keeps me going the best I can @ age 73 for now.
I do have friends who are 15 years younger that in some respects act older. I can't afford to be a sometimes active guy and play catch up just can't.
When it comes to driving I certainly don't drive 18 hours in part because of a previous brain injury. No desire to do it anyway. We just take it as we are today.
•So sorry about your bum foot 88OLDS. Suxxxx0 -
Well, I’m pretty much couch bound with a bum foot and bad attitude. But I’ve taken up studying Spanish.
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But I had this question- am I too old at 68 to learn a language? Looks like the answer is no. But I have to push right into the face of some aging issues.
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I have been studying Spanish, hardcore, for about two years. I am 59. Steve Kaufman (look him up on YouTube) is in his 70s.
Hit me up offline, and I can offer several recommendations for free, or mostly free, resources.
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A (not-so-old) person's view is that it's got to be a mix of physical aspects and attitude.
I've got a friend here who is 70+ and you'd think he is under 50 based on his attitude and activity. Conversely, I've got friends who are in their early 60's who are already content to avoid much activity (though they likely have some medical issues).
But, one of my favorites is a very elderly couple that live nearby. They walk back-and-forth from the synagogue on Shabbat, and they are always off somewhere traveling, even though they have a lot of physical problems. I think they have such a positive attitude about things that it trumps their physical ailments!0 -
“ How much does regular physical activity stave off both physical and mental aging?”
For me it goes hand in hand. The aqua aerobics class has many seniors older than me (70 yo) that makes me realize age can be only a number.
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Old is ten years older than me, and it's a moving target.
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I do much much better than a lot of folks in there 40s and 50s. Don't know why they are so ridiculously inactive.0
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My Grandmother's both sides lived to their 90's and very active. My Dad lived to 78 Mom died cancer 66. I have one Brother 87 still goes to his office 4 days a week. Another older Brother 75 with Alzheimers and a younger brother 68 me I'm hanging in at 71 be 72 in July. Have 2 Businesses get up early when I have to sleep late when I don't. Feel good most of the time just to da**mn fat. Bugs me a lot but still make same old mistakes of eating too much.
Anyway I do think all else equal gene's have a lot to do with aging. I think oh well just my 2 cents worth.0 -
I feel like it's getting closer and closer, especially since I had two "events" tonight, first thinking I'd lost my phone and the second thinking I'd lost my wallet. Within an hour of each other! Pure panic both times. Found items both times. Old, forgetful or in need of help?
Anyway, despite what my head may be doing, my body is starting to show some age too. For that reason if nothing else, I figure I'd better keep the weight off and keep moving as much as I can.1
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