We call them the golden years for a reason. Some refer to this aging time as “NO MORE RAZORS!” Getting older (age 68) has its perks. For one, you’re good at using what you’ve learned daily, through primary and elementary education, secondary or collegiate education and post-graduate education. This is called “crystalized intelligence” and it keeps getting better, even when you’re 65, 68, or 70-years-old. The “crystalized intelligence” definition is “A reflection in a person’s general knowledge, vocabulary, and reasoning, based on acquired information.”
It just seems like yesterday that my baths were in tubs, not showers; razors were located by the tub; and fried chicken was cut into smaller pieces so I wouldn’t choke when swallowing. It won’t be long before my medications are crushed and served with applesauce in a spoon, and I’m not far from using padded silverware to devour my food in an easier manner. An important aging question prevails, “What happened to my body hair?”
The following list contains subjects almost no one has shared with you about aging: All information screened from Compass@webmd.com:
· MR. NICE GUY:
“Turns out, you might not be a grumpy old man or (woman), after all. You’ll probably be more agreeable as you age, at least through your 60’s. You’re also likely to be happier and less inclined to be unhappy, and less inclined to get angry…Older persons might control their emotions better and focus more on how to make the most of life.”
· PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS:
“You’re more in tune with other people’s emotions in your 40’s than at any other time in your life. The insight into how others think and feel can make living with your loved ones easier, and help you get along better with your coworkers too.”
· A TASTE FOR LIFE:
“As you age, medications, illness (colds, flu, Covid, gum disease, falls, and allergies, etc.) can change your sense of smell and taste, and that can affect your diet and health. If you think things need to be spiced up, try some olive oil, herbs like rosemary, thyme, garlic, onions, peppers, or mustard. Just stay away from the salt!”
· WHAT’S THAT DOING THERE?
Around the time the hair on your head starts to disappear, it can show up in the strangest places. This can mean large hairs in older males’ noses and ears. Older women may notice small hairs on their chins. This is all caused by changes in our hormones,”
· RISE AND SHINE:
There’s a good chance you’ll become the morning person you’ve always wanted to be---in your 60’s. Our sleeping patterns can shift as we age, so we get sleepier earlier and wake up earlier. Our study showed that even though folks over age 65 tend to wake up during the night, most said they got a good night’s sleep.”
· BYE-BYE MIGRAINES:
Once you hit your 70’s, those migraines you may have had much of your life may go away. Only 10% or women and 5% of men over age 70 still report migraines. If you do have a migraine, it may not come with a headache. As people age, some may experience migraines as visual or sensory disturbances without pain!”
· DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB:
“Early retirement might not be the best thing for your health---unless you have a fun second career. A study called the “Longevity Project” found that people that work hard at a job they enjoy live the longest. The above, along with good friends and family, could be the keys to sticking around for a while.”
· FEAR IS NOT YOUR FRIEND:
You may worry more about breaking bones as you age. One study found that about 1/3 of adults over age 65 (me) have that fear. And it’s understandable, because falls are the leading cause of injuries for older people.” The sale of senior walkers is increasing daily in the United States and other countries.
· WEIGHT OF THE WORLD:
“The longer that you’re alive, the more gravity brings you down. The spaces between the bones in your spine-called vertebrae-get closer together. That can make you about an inch an inch shorter as you get older.” In my 40’s, I was 5’7” tall. Today, age 68, I am 5’5” tall. I don’t know where the two inches are now hiding.
· STRENGTH IN NUMBERS:
The graying of America may be a good thing for you. Those 60 and over tend to cast ballots more than any other age group. And, they’re the fastest-growing block of voters in the U.S. This means more voting power on topics that matter as you age, such as Medicare, Social Security, and health care.”
· LESS STRESS:
“Baby boomers and older adults report less stress than their younger counterparts. This doesn’t mean it goes away. Health and money problems still crop up. But, nine out of 10 older adults say they’re doing enough to manage it.”
· SELF-CONFIDENCE:
“Self-esteem soars as you age, studies show, and increases with wealth, education, good health, and employment. But it takes a dip after age 60. This may be because people begin to have health issues and start searching for a new sense of purpose after retirement. With increasing life spans, healthier lifestyles, and working to an older age, we may see that change.”
In conclusion, actress Goldie Hawn, age 77, stated, “What happens with aging is serious cognition – thinking and understanding. You have to truly grasp that everybody ages. Everyone dies. There is no turning back the clock. So, the question in life becomes: ‘What are you going to do while you’re here?”
My late mother-in-law, Macon Judkins, always emphatically told our family: “You’re born to die” when discussing personal advancements.
True, but while I am here, I want to live a fully productive life from birth to death!
