This is a Happy Birthday shout out to my husband of 46 years. I think he's doing a fantastic job of navigating old age--certainly better than I am and I'm "only" 87! We've been SO lucky in that we've avoided some of the more common life-wrecking illnesses of old age--so far. I realize that we're on "borrowed time", but we're managing for today.
National Council on Aging
https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-older-americans/
In part, it says:
With people in the U.S. aging better and living longer, older adults are one of the fastest-growing groups in the country. In fact, by 2030, all Baby Boomers will be age 65+ and by 2040 roughly 78.3 million Americans will fall within that age group. Using new insights from the ACL’s 2023 Profile of Older Americansand other sources, we’ve painted an eye-opening portrait of our nation’s older adults including key trends, challenges, and disparities.
And a book worth reading:
Dr. Gladys McGarey, a centenarian still-consulting doctor and the mother of holistic medicine, reveals “a story that teaches as much as it inspires” (Edith Eger, New York Times bestselling author), filled with life-changing secrets for how to live with joy, vitality, and purpose at any age.
Dr. Gladys McGarey, cofounder of the American Holistic Medical Association, began her medical practice at a time when women couldn’t even have their own bank accounts. Over the past sixty years, she has pioneered a new way of thinking about disease and health that has transformed the way we imagine health care and self-care around the world.
On these pages, Dr. McGarey shares her six actionable secrets to enjoying lives that are long, happy, and purpose-driven:
-Spend your energy wildly: How to embrace your life fully and feel motivated every day.
-All life needs to move: How to move—spiritually, mentally, and physically—to help let go of trauma and other roadblocks.
-You are here for a reason: How to find the everyday “juice” that helps you stay oriented in your life’s purpose.
-You are never alone: How to build a community that’s meaningful to you.
-Everything is your teacher: Discover the deep learnings that come from pain and setbacks.
-Love is the most powerful medicine: Learn to love yourself—and others—into healing.
In a voice that is both practical and inspiring, Dr. McGarey shares her own extraordinary stories and eternal wisdom—from her early childhood in India and a chance encounter with Mahatma Gandhi to her life as a physician and a mother of six, to her survival of both heartbreak and illness. Dr. Gladys shares her inspiring vision for a healthier and more joyful future for us all, filled with “rich and complex truths that will resonate with readers’ hearts and minds” (Dr. Robert Waldinger, New York Times bestselling author).
P.S. I had a client who died last year. She was 104. I worked with her years ago and I was hired again at this time during the last few months of her life. It was a gift to me to be able to be there at the end of her life. Anne was one of the most amazing people I've ever met. Smart (Ph.D. in public health), world traveler, aware of the political climate - over decades, a pilot, and she worked at the UN.
We adored each other.
Gena / Touch Matters
My mom died this year at age 98. She still had most of her marbles at 95, but that was about when she started to lose her memory. She was diagnosed with AFIB that year (although it had showed up now and then earlier). I think that is what caused her memory losses, even with the blood thinners, I think it can cause brain damage. The isolation due to Covid also contributed to her decline. It was a steady downhill slide from 95 to 98 1/2 when she passed.
I, at 87 too, also have avoided the major life wrecking illnesses of old age. But I have CFS/FM (for 30 years now) which slows me down. Still I am very grateful for the health and life and marbles I have.
You and your hub are great examples. How many 95 years old are out there, never mind those who have motility and marbles.
May you both have many more good years!
My 84 year old father takes pride in his youthfulness. Still spry, still working, golfing, and motorcycling!
On the other hand, my 62 yr old body is falling apart! I'm sure in large part due to caregiving for the last 9 years. I used to be so strong and healthy! I'm working on getting stronger again. But it is slow progress and takes a lot more effort now!
My aunt lived till 96 and was only very sick the last 6 months of her life due to congestive heart failure. She played golf until 90 and played Bridge until 95 when the flu sent her to the hospital. She drove until hospitalized. She said the secret was being physically and mentally active with things she enjoyed.
Just wanted to say that I value your input, here.
You are making a difference by sharing your experience.
Happy Birthday to your husband! May God bless you, both!
Congratulations to you both. Health and longevity are the perfect pair.
I am 75 now. We have a class luncheon every month. TG the majority of us are doing pretty good. But one couple the husband is using a walker and the wife oxygen pulling her tank around. Another classmate now uses a cane. I so hope I live till 87 with no major health problems.
Her neighbor walked her dog every morning, and she had a health aide come twice a week to assist her shower and the like, but otherwise was pretty independent, though moving pretty slow.
She ended up having to go to the hospital shortly before her 101st birthday at the end of October, and then went to live temporarily with her niece until her niece could get her placed in an assisted living facility, where she's now staying.
It's my understanding that this precious 101 year old woman is not at all happy that she can no longer live in her home, and I will be visiting her for the first time since she's been placed later this week.
I have to say that I am grateful that she is now being looked after better and is safe, and that is far more important than how she feels about her circumstances.
We never know what the future may hold for us, but I'd like to think that with God's grace we would all be able to accept things without too much complaining, and just make the best of things and enjoy whatever time we may have left.
I also love that you are using technology and that this forum is a wealth of info and support for you 👍🏼
Often older people don't feel important in life or that your doing anything important, but your generation is inspiring me everyday.
The kindness you and all of you show people inspires me to now that I can still do good in life, no matter how old I am.
My 90 year old uncles death inspired me, hearing his achievements after retirement.
My 5th grade art teacher, that walks everyday, picking up are roads inspire me
My mother teaches me everyday, that I want to be independent, and instead of asking others to do things, there's Ubers, and food delivery.
Each and every one of you inspire me in a different way, and are important to me
Until my back quit, I gardened, shopped (good thing for our finances that I had to stop doing that!), participated in our HOA, walked 1-2 miles/day rain or shine, and was generally pretty active. Now? Not so much. I still drive and maintain our household (with some hired help), grocery shop, tend to our accounts and run errands. However, it's gotten harder in the past year. At 87 (88 fast approaching) I miss the me that used to be but hope for the best. Thank goodness for all the online options available now. That's a big help for elders in maintaining as much independence as we can.
Good health and longevity are definitely reasons to celebrate!