I am not that old in comparison to some of you. Some of you are of a similar age. Some of you are younger.
Generally your health and physical condition really starts to deteriorate at the age of 60. In my case when I retired at the age of 61, my body began retiring too. At 67, should I live to 77, I think I'll be in wheel chair and being spoon fed. Ok, maybe not. I hope not.
Your genes will mostly dictate your lifespan, and we all know clean living, diet, socialising and exercise can cheat the genes somewhat. Having a partner helps, along with keeping your mind active, but if you blog, your mind is active.
I can't say my life has been clean, and still isn't but I do try in various areas.
But what really pisses me off is those who reach a seriously old age and brag about their older person achievements, how fit they are, their wonderful pain free life. At 90, they are living a glorious life. Good for them, but for most people it is not like that.
Your partner may have died, many of your friends have died, you may not have much money to spare, you may feel lonely at times, your health could be bad, making your life a constant struggle. You might be dependant on others, in spite of disliking that.
So just before you brag about what a great life you are living when you are 90, this is not the case for most people, who probably struggle at the age of 80 onwards, or earlier.
But you don't have to be too old , as you can even die at the age of 40 from the coded police words, "There are no suspicious circumstances".
It was very sad to hear of the deaths of two retired star Australian Rules footballers around the age of 40, one day apart, and there were no suspicious circumstances. One would think, they had everything to live for.
Troy Selwood.
And Adam Hunter.
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I'm one with some longevity genes. Both my parents died in there 70's. But on the average we usually make it past 85. One of my Aunt made it to 103.
ReplyDeleteI agree that aging is just the luck of the draw. I once saw this interview with the children's author Beverly Cleary. She had just turned 100, and the interviewer was gushing over about it. Cleary just laughed and said, "It was unintentional."
ReplyDeleteDeath comes when it comes ... 40, 60, 80, 90.
ReplyDeleteThe deaths of two young ex-footballers was tragic. Young, fit and role models for teenage boys, it was a heartbreaker.
ReplyDeleteI hope there were no drugs, booze or gangs involved.
Age has a lot to do with luck as well as taking care of yourself. It's not something to take credit for.
ReplyDeleteSo sad when beautiful people die young.
So many people are living longer with advances in medical intervention, but I don't know anyone over 70 who is not in some discomfort every single day.
ReplyDeleteI know many old people who are living well and enjoying life and many younger people who are in constant pain and miserable. Genes do help. As does your attitude towards life and ageing, I guess.
ReplyDeleteOddly and I was going to write about this too Andrew (and will) but many of my darling friends who are now gone, led clean lives, walked, swam, ran road races, had good partnerships, ate healthy, did not smoke and yet the old generic lottery got them. Or whatever it is. Two were dancers, winning competitions. Brain cancer, liver cancer, sudden collapse, etc. etc.
ReplyDeleteI drank, I smoked heavily and these friends worried about me. The irony makes me weep.
XO
WWW
I agree with you Andrew. It's a privilege to get to old age, many don't.
ReplyDeleteOne of friend's daughter's passed away in her sleep aged 52 New Years Eve in Western Australia, no suspicious circumstances, funeral was today, and we went.
Aging isn't easy, especially when in constant pain. But I do try to find something positive in each day.
ReplyDeleteWell, this is a cheery start to the day. I've just read about another person's son, who died a couple of days ago, aged 20. Far too young.
ReplyDeleteI am 68 and up until a year ago considered myself to be fit and healthy. Age can play cruel tricks sometimes but I have already outlived all four grandparents' ages by 8 years . I look on that as a bonus.
ReplyDeleteIn the field of geriatrics, the focus is on the health span rather than the life span. On average, health span tends to decline by the age of sixty-four. Hence, extending one's health span is of paramount importance. I am endeavoring to rectify the adverse effects of a lifestyle marred by years of unwavering dedication to career progression and professional rivalries. Over the past few years, I have come to comprehend the essence of work-life balance and the value of solitude—cultivating a friendship with oneself and eschewing the pursuit of external validation. Maintain an optimistic disposition, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteI always feel sad when people die too young and for me, anything younger than my age is too young. I think I got the "lucky" gene pool, noticing no deterioration as early as 60 and even now the odd twinge or two is "fixed" with some kind of heat rub cream or even just a daily nap to relax the muscles. Most of my family tree has people living into their late eighties or early nineties and my maternal grandma made it to 96, so I'm hopeful. I think it helps that I am not a worrier and don't care what people think of me.
ReplyDeleteI am 78, bad knees and back but I have sound mind at the moment, exercise every day and just keep moving along with the life I have been blessed with.
ReplyDeleteThe young men mentioned were well loved by many but they made some choices that impacted on their well being . I hope their famines are supported
People my age, people I went to school with, keep dieing and reminding me to "eat, drink, and be merry."
ReplyDeleteMy mother had an opthamologist who literally gave back sight to people. He had a lovely family and he was in his forties. He was kind and well liked. One night he locked his office door and killed himself. None of us really know what goes on in other people's lives.
ReplyDeleteIf we're lucky we get to be old. If we're very lucky, we get to be old and healthy, but that doesn't usually happen. And most people spend the last eighteen months of their lives, regardless of age, in a downward spiral of worsening health problems. Sigh.
who knows when anyone might die. In the US, there are so many angry people, if you take a drive, you might encounter one of them. Look at them in a way they perceive wrong and they shoot you.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to think of these really old folks' tales as inspirational rather than bragging. lol Personally, I didn't expect to reach this age. Born in 1969, I figured I'd either be in the best shape of my life at age 50 or deceased. Neither happened. ~shakes head~ But we keep trying, don't we? As for these younger men, it's very sad. Take care, Andrew.
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