as a society, we will be challenged to find innovative ways to treat and support an aging population—and to pay for this care.
Financial resources play an important part in the longevity issue. Living longer after retirement means you need to stash away more savings, not only to maintain an acceptable standard of living, but to provide for additional care and services as you age. Unfortunately, reports indicate that baby boomers are not preparing for their retirement years as well as they should be. This lack of planning contradicts survey results in which those 65 and older rank “maintaining independence” as their top priority.
When Jeanne Louise Calment (1875–1997) celebrated her 110th birthday, she became the oldest known living human (as verified by modern documentation). But, it wasn’t her age that people found the most amazing; it was her upbeat attitude toward aging and life that captivated audiences around the world. Active and clear-minded, she quipped to the press, “I had to wait 110 years to become famous. I want to enjoy it as long as possible.” She went on to reach the amazing age of 122!
Still, when asked, most people say they would like to live a long life, with this caveat: as long as they can age well.
What Is Aging Well?
Vibrant centenarians such as Ms. Calment are certainly examples of aging well, which is sometimes referred to as “successful aging.” But, aging well can mean many things. What constitutes successful aging differs from one culture to another and even from individual to individual. In general, Americans define aging well as:
• Remaining independent for as long as possible.
• Being healthy and mobile enough to enjoy hobbies and time with family.
• Feeling useful, whether through continued work, volunteer activities, or family obligations.
• Having enough money to live comfortably after retirement.
However, as mentioned, there seems to be a wide gap between what people say is important and what actually happens. Simply put, most Americans are not planning effectively to achieve these goals. Consider the following:
• According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, only 40 percent of Americans have tried to figure out how much to save for retirement. Only 51 percent say they have a retirement account through an employer and only 28 percent had a separate retirement account.
• The majority of people say they want control over their health decisions, but only 25 to 30 percent of those surveyed have an advanced health directive or living will.
• Less than one-third of adults have discussed their end-of-life wishes with children or other family members.
• Though the key to preventing chronic illnesses such as heart disease is managing risk factors—high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood glucose levels—many adults in the United States do not get regular health screenings, which can detect these problems at the earliest stages, allowing for lifestyle changes and/or proper treatment.
Considering that the resources and benefits available for seniors today may or may not be available in the future, this lack of planning becomes even more troubling.
A Change in Attitude
Perhaps one of the reasons we don’t do a good job of planning for our senior years is because growing old is something about which we don’t like to think, so we continually put it off. For instance, the majority of people surveyed by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) believed that an advanced health directive and durable power of attorney were only necessary for “very sick or very old people.”
“That’s a common misperception,” says Christopher J. Berry, Certified Elder Law Attorney. “In reality, these documents should be prepared while we are healthy and our decisions are not complicated by age, illness, medications, or end-of-life emotions. Making these plans provides peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones. In fact, medical powers of attorney and financial powers of attorney should be prepared when you turn 18 and are legally an adult. You never know when life will throw you a curve ball.”
Of course, as Berry points out, these documents are not just for older folks; accidents and unexpected health crises can happen at any age. We have all heard the heartbreaking stories of people who suddenly lose a loved one and find themselves trying to untangle a financial and legal mess. While most people understand that proper planning can prevent these problems, many still fail to make those plans.
Our reluctance may also have something to do with the youth-centered culture in which we live. Youth is celebrated, while growing old is often portrayed negatively, as something to be dreaded and avoided. Just look at the billions of dollars generated by the sale of antiaging products—from wrinkle creams and cosmetic surgery meant to maintain our youthful appearance, to vitamins and herbal remedies that promise to slow down or even reverse the aging process. In fact, the market for antiaging products and treatments is one of the fastest growing business segments in our nation.
The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus thought that “old age was the pinnacle of life,” while recognizing that each stage in life has its own qualities and advantages, as well as disadvantages. Successful aging comes when we are able to make the most of both the virtues and the vices.
In many cultures, including those with a high concentration of centenarians, aging comes with a badge of honor. Seniors are respected for their wisdom and given a sense of purpose by being asked to help raise children and contribute to the family household. Indeed, one of the secrets of successful aging is adopting a positive attitude about growing old. As we plan for late life, we should not think of aging as something to fear and revile—an inevitable decline—but rather a time of new beginnings, as well as intellectual and spiritual growth. Our senior years can be a time of productivity and fulfillment—with a little preparation.
Never Too Late
Chronological age is just a number—not your identity. Look around and you’ll discover many inspiring examples of people pursuing dreams and achieving success late in life, refusing to be defined by their age. Some notable illustrations:
• At 77 years old, Senator John Glenn was the oldest person to board a U.S. space shuttle. When asked if he thought he was too old for the mission, he responded, “Too many people, when they get old, think that they have to live by the calendar.”
• Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, didn’t pick up a paintbrush until she was in her 70s, after arthritis forced her to give up a career in embroidery. By the time she died in 1961 at the age of 101, she had become one of America’s most beloved artists, her paintings adorning the walls of museums around the world. Grandma Moses had no formal art training, but she painted every day, completing more than a thousand works of art in 25 years. As Moses said (and demonstrated), “One is never too old to succeed in life.”
• The best-selling author Laura Ingalls Wilder didn’t publish her first book until she was 64. She spent most of her life as a teacher and a farmer’s wife, occasionally writing articles on farming and rural life in the early 1900s. With her daughter’s encouragement, she started writing about her pioneering childhood and published Little House in the Big Woods in 1932 (which later inspired the popular television series Little House on the Prairie).
• Despite health issues, including diabetes and arthritis, Ray Kroc set out to make McDonald’s a household name
