WHY WE SHOULDN'T DREAD GROWING OLDER

How does one refer to folks who have lived past the retirement age and are moving on into their 70s, 80s and even 90s? This huge demographics defy labelling. To lump everyone born between 1900 and 1952 as 'senior citizens' is to over-generalize. Senior citizens are not all the same. Many people my age (I am 64) would object to being referred to euphemistically in Malaysia as 'warga emas' or 'golden citizens'. Call them 'elderly' and you can be sure of rubbing them the wrong way.

So we have terms like 'the young old', 'the middle old' and 'the old old', which are just as inadequate and clumsy. If we divide age into numerical units, we have the following age categories:

Helen Mirren - a sexygenarian at 67

between 60-69:  sexagenarian
between 70-79:  septuagenarian
between 80-89:  octogenarian
between 90-99:  nonagenaran
between 100-110: centenarian

But if numbers don't matter, and chronological age is not an accurate indicator of physiological age, what are we left with? How would you like to be referred to? 'Older people' seems to be the least disparaging and most neutral. With people now living much longer, there is a need to come up with new labels for the old (pun intended) that do not smack of ageism, and that is acceptable to all.

If this retired teacher can cycle all the way to London, what excuse do I have not to cycle round my apartment block to stay fit and healthy? (Photo grab from The Star)

Hats off to Eva Ho, 71. Pole dancing is not for me. I'm learning to dance Gangnam Style - much safer! (Photo grab from The Straits Times)

If the 60s is the new 40s, you can understand why labels like 'old', 'elderly', 'frail' no longer describe the active, independent and fun-loving baby boomers of today. By the time we reach our 70s, 80s and 90s, we will be re-defining the face of ageing.

With plenty of inspiring role models to show the way forward, growing older doesn't sound so dreadful after all. There is a world of difference between growing old and growing older. And it's a lot to do with how we look at ageing - positively or negatively, with anticipation or dread.

The Rolling Stones (from left) Charlie Watts, 71, Keith Richards, 68, Ron Wood, 65, and Mick Jagger, 69. They have just announced their concert dates for November and December 2012. Still going strong after 50 years.

Related articles:

TIME FOR NEW LABELS FOR THE 60+

AGE-DEFYING ROLE MODELS

A LIGHT-HEARTED LOOK AT BABY BOOMERS

Stumbled upon these videos on AARP Youtube channel. It's a light-hearted look at the funny side of growing old. Enjoy a good laugh at ourselves.



With inflation driving prices sky high, and unemployment (and retrenchment) heading the same way, don't be surprised to find your adult children moving back to the family home to save on living expenses. Pray that he doesn't have his whole family in tow. Bye-bye, privacy. Bye-bye, peace and quiet.



For more videos, visit AARP (American Association of Retired Persons).

BABY BOOMERS = THE ALZHEIMER GENERATION

What diseases do doctors fear most for themselves? I posed this question to my mom's cardiologist at his clinic last week. Without hesitation he said "Stroke and dementia."

I don't have direct experience taking care of a stroke patient. But caring for my mother who has dementia has given me a first-hand look at what the disease does to a person. I agree with the doctor. I too pray I won't suffer this debilitating disease in my old age. A family member went as far as to say (and I quote from his text message) "Wouldn't wannna stay in body if brain functions impaired".

One of the most common forms of dementia is Alzheimer's Disease. It is a progressively degenerating disease that has no known cure at the moment. In Singapore, dementia is a time bomb that is waiting to explode. By 2020, an estimated 50,000 Singaporeans will have some form of dementia.

Several days ago I received an email from Diana Wright of Alzheimer's Association. Here's what she wrote:

"The good news is that death rates for many major diseases - HIV, stroke, heart disease, prostate cancer, and breast cancer - are declining. Sadly, we can't yet say the same about Alzheimer's. This year, the first of the Boomer Generation turns 65. To bring urgently-needed attention to the risk facing the Boomers, Alzheimer's Association recently released a groundbreaking study - Generation Alzheimer's: The Defining Disease of the Baby Boomers.

We'd love your help in getting the word out on SeniorsAloud about the important information in Generation Alzheimer's, so we can make sure the public understands what can be done to conquer this devastating disease."

While Alzheimer’s is not normal aging, age is the greatest risk factor for the disease. This report conveys the burden of Alzheimer's and dementia on individuals, families, government and the nation's healthcare system.

Do check out the related videos and links. Knowledge empowers, so please pass on the information to others. Let us help make a difference.

"Alzheimer’s Is Devastating, Deteriorating and Debilitating. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's."

THE 37-YEAR ITCH

Gray divorces are on the rise, and I'm not surprised. We've all heard of the 7-year itch - that's when after seven years of marital bliss, husbands start to have roving eyes and wives start to roll their eyes and beat their hearts in helpless frustration.

That was a generation or two ago when most wives didn't have much of an education and had no means of fending for themselves and their young children if they left their husbands. For them divorce was not an option. So they remained the faithful, long-suffering wife while their husband went AWOL night after night.

Not anymore. These women have been bidding their time waiting till the children are all grown and on their own before filing for divorce. This is the 37-itch, and this time it's the women who are getting the itch, to split, that is.

Being divorced is no longer a social stigma for older women in their 50s and 60s. They are not willing to settle for less or second best anymore. Why should they? They can't see themselves remaining in a boring, loveless marriage, having to share space 24/7 with someone whom they have little in common with. Financially independent, college-educated and empowered by those who have already taken the bold step, these women are ready to move forward to a new chapter of life without their men by their side. And the future looks promising and exciting. For many, it's Freedom At Last!

Gray Divorce Statistics

According to the 2008 U.S. Census, 25% of new divorces were among couples married at least 20 years and 51% of those divorced were Baby Boomers (born between 1946-64).

The Gores split in 2010 after 40 years of marriage.

Of the more shocking statistics, a study by American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reported that 66% of the divorces studied were initiated by the wife.

Age-specific divorce rates in Singapore (Source: Statistics Singapore)

There are no available statistics of gray divorces in Malaysia. In Singapore, the numbers are still low, but if global trends are anything to go by, it's a matter of time before we see a spike in gray divorces in these countries.

 

Pay heed to these warning signs if you want to make your marriage last a lifetime.