Studying old age in social work 619 this week. I’m curious, what age do you consider “old”? How do you want to spend your remaining time when you reach the age that you view as “old”?
@luftballooneyegouge I already had my mid life crisis. I had mine when my kids were almost grown. What I learned from that experience was that when you want to change something, thats ego. that doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t change it, but be aware its ego. When I was in high school, cody wild musk, and exclamation were popular.
Well, old age always was the number that was 20 or 30 years away from me, but each time I hit one of those milestones; I’m like …”This isn’t old.” Age is just a number. It’s all how you treat your body and mind. When I get out of shape, my body tells me how old I am; but once I get back in shape, I feel young again. My mind is always telling me I am younger.
Check out the first video, and see if you notice anything different….then watch the 2nd one and you will see why I am posting these in this post.
-Grandma Moses was still paining at 100.
-Dr. Michael Debakery obtained a patent for surgical innovation at 90
– frank Lloyd Wright designed the Guggenheim museum at 90
– Daniel Shore was a public news analyst until he was 93
-Angie Maclean of Bridgeport Connecticut is 98, and has been bartending for 81 years.
I remember the first time I saw my parents acting old. Mom was 79 and Dad was 89. Dad helped Mom climb on a kitchen stool and stand on the dining room table to change the light bulb in the chandelier. I didn’t consider them old until that day. Heck, Mom had just singlehandedly built a new guest bathroom and extra bedroom onto their house. She framed the walls, did the electrical wiring, and put roofing on the addition by herself. Dad said to leave her alone, it was her hobby and she wanted to do the work alone. The finished rooms were beautiful! I worried about the electrical, but Mom had years of being an electrician and putting in the wiring on the doors to space capsules, and space shuttle in the Apollo Space Program, she did a good job on the bathroom and bedroom. Perhaps 79 wasn’t all that old.
This month, I turn 71. I am feeling age come on. I have a giant living with me to change the light bulbs. He is 8 years younger than I am. If there is any building to do, he does it. I noticed when I was crossing the street, a car was coming and —– I cannot run anymore. I am reduced to slapping the skidding car on the hood and yelling, “Stop, asshole!!!” I don’t care what the driver called me in return. At my age, I can now pretend to not hear them.
My Mom did not get old until she was 89 and a little dementia set in —— which she called “dimension”. She asked me, “Honey, do you think I have dimension?” I thought she was talking about cable TV and I said, “No. I don’t think there is Dimension here. I have Charter, but I think you have Cox.” To that, she said she did not have a cock. She is a female!!! What we had was a failure to communicate.
I watched as she lost her memory between 89 and 95. We put her in hospice at 95 and they put her on drugs. She lost memory of who her family was. She was constantly on a “high” and those were the happiest days of her life. She died two months ago just 3 months shy of turning 100. I wonder if I will make it to 100. What a challenge.
I can’t wait until the day I ask Immortal Pirate if I have dimension and he tells me, “Yes. And you seem to be getting more and more dimension every day.”
@ladybarbara i Enjoyed reading this! I think you will be 100 or beyond! I live with a younger man, as well. I guess I thought he would have more energy, but he doesn’t seem to. Makes me believe in age as a number.
There are a couple things at play here, and since you’re discussing it in your social work class, I think especially so.
First, there’s “old” in relation to the average age a person is going to die.
Second, there’s “old” in terms of societal milestones like being financially self-sufficient, and being able to live out the rest of your life without being financially burdened or feeling like you need to return to work to make a buck to pay the bills.
Third, there’s “old” in terms of ability. At some point people’s bodies start to deteriorate to the point that they have trouble doing things, or aren’t as able to do things as well as they may have previously been able to.
If I look at it terms of dying, if someone is old, greater than 85 is up there. They’ve gone past the average life expectancy, not just for the US but for the world average.
In terms of a societal norm or milestone, we say 65, although this age seems to be going up since people are getting dumber and don’t know how to plan for tomorrow. Everyone lives in today, and doesn’t have the financial ability to provide for themselves. This means they’re reliant on things like social programs, and all the different things you’re studying for.
Regarding “old” as it relates to ability, the body generally starts going downhill at about 45. After 45 it’s hard to accomplish things you were able to do, or could have done had you applied yourself. This applies to mental abilities as well as physical.
@Weenis You said: “In terms of a societal norm or milestone, we say 65, although this age seems to be going up since people are getting dumber and don’t know how to plan for tomorrow. Everyone lives in today, and doesn’t have the financial ability to provide for themselves. This means they’re reliant on things like social programs, and all the different things you’re studying for.”
That is one of your major flaws Weenis, you think you are the only one who does the right thing in life, and everyone else is a fuck up.
No, that’s actually not it. Our laws actually say as much. 401k or IRA contributions are higher over 55. All our laws assume retirement at 65.
It’s not that I think I’m the only one that does the right thing in life, it’s that I’m considering laws, society as it is today, society as it was yesterday, and what it means for people to be financially independent. This has nothing to do with me in fact, since I’m not financially independent, I’m a millennial, and I have at most another 30 years of work ahead of me.
That being said, I attempt to be responsible with my resources, planning for the future. Purchasing valuable assets, investing money, 401k, IRA, savings, estates, land, and passive income.
This isn’t about being the only one who does right things in life, it’s about being a responsible adult.
Take this article titled “63% Of Americans Don’t Have Enough Savings To Cover A $500 Emergency” for instance-
So, if you’re in that “63% Of Americans [Who] Don’t Have Enough Savings To Cover A $500 Emergency”, then yes, you’re a fuck up, as you so eloquently put it.
OK, let me rephrase, you are not the only responsible adult in this country.
I never assumed I was.
I stated as much because of things like this-
Most baby boomers can receive the full amount of Social Security they have earned at age 66. However, retirees who will turn 62 in 2017 need to wait an extra two months to collect their full Social Security payments. Starting this year the retirement age begins a gradual increase toward age 67. Here’s how the older retirement age will impact how much you receive from Social Security.
@Weenis This is actually nice of you to post this information. I am getting close to retirement age, and I am very well aware; but others might not be. I was also lucky to work in companies that offered 401Ks and shares. I started a 401K at a young age. We are doing fine, and we will live a good old life. I give you kudos for you doing the same. Lot’s of younger people don’t think about the future.
You can tap into your 401K before you retire without any penalty at age 59 1/2.
I’m not sure what age I feel is old. What I do know is I fear 50 and over, personally. I just fear my body breaking down. Maybe it happens before, maybe later. That is when I will feel officially old. As for others, I’m not sure. Maybe a 65-70 area?
@yin in the mid 30’s is when most people start noticing physical decline. 50’s is still considered middle age. Not everyone’s body breaks down. Lifestyle plays a big role. Primary aging happens to everyone, so there is some slowing for everyone, but secondary aging occurs only in those with unhealthy lifestyles.
@Scarlett Yea, that is the main reason I considered maybe before. My family line has issues by itself on top of me being super unhealthy. I guess we will see where it takes me.
@Scarlett Cheeseburgers, fries, cokes, pizzas, chili cheese dogs, corn dogs, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, chimichangas, tacos. Very little to no water, vegetables, fruits. When I get Little Caesars, I eat a large by myself. With Pizza Hut, I eat a medium by myself. Ate a whole large once. I was in too much pain after that though to try that again. I don’t smoke, but I live with a smoker.
26 responses to “Old age”
Without thinking on it too much, 60?
@luftballooneyegouge I find that number incredibly low. When I was growing up, I thought every adult was a dinosaur.
Now, I see old as maybe 90 or so?
In our culture, we do not value the age as other cultures do. We see them more as a nuisance. What about the age of 60
Seems old to you?
@Scarlett
It’s my stereotypical-rule-of-20!
0-20 Youth
20-40 Young Adulthood
40-60 Middle Age
60+ GET OFF MY LAWN
@luftballooneyegouge actually, there has been a paradigm shift. Young adulthood doesn’t end until you’re 40. Are you there yet?
@Scarlett
I’m in my middle-age mid-life-crisis!
The other day I bought a bottle of Polo so I could smell Jr. High!
@luftballooneyegouge I already had my mid life crisis. I had mine when my kids were almost grown. What I learned from that experience was that when you want to change something, thats ego. that doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t change it, but be aware its ego. When I was in high school, cody wild musk, and exclamation were popular.
I’ll go with the lifespan of the elves – 500+ years.
A more realistic number would be 85
@Jear77 I was thinking along the same lines. How do you envision your own old age?
@Scarlett hopefully as good as or better than my parents
Well, old age always was the number that was 20 or 30 years away from me, but each time I hit one of those milestones; I’m like …”This isn’t old.” Age is just a number. It’s all how you treat your body and mind. When I get out of shape, my body tells me how old I am; but once I get back in shape, I feel young again. My mind is always telling me I am younger.
Check out the first video, and see if you notice anything different….then watch the 2nd one and you will see why I am posting these in this post.
@Gina I found this interesting:
-Grandma Moses was still paining at 100.
-Dr. Michael Debakery obtained a patent for surgical innovation at 90
– frank Lloyd Wright designed the Guggenheim museum at 90
– Daniel Shore was a public news analyst until he was 93
-Angie Maclean of Bridgeport Connecticut is 98, and has been bartending for 81 years.
@Scarlett Gina at close to 60 still buys General Admission tickets to concerts because when you dance the whole time, you don’t need a seat.
Gina’s mom who is 86 joins her at concerts and dances with her.
I think when we stop doing things, that’s when we shrivel up and die (not counting any terminal diseases that can hit people at any age.)
I remember the first time I saw my parents acting old. Mom was 79 and Dad was 89. Dad helped Mom climb on a kitchen stool and stand on the dining room table to change the light bulb in the chandelier. I didn’t consider them old until that day. Heck, Mom had just singlehandedly built a new guest bathroom and extra bedroom onto their house. She framed the walls, did the electrical wiring, and put roofing on the addition by herself. Dad said to leave her alone, it was her hobby and she wanted to do the work alone. The finished rooms were beautiful! I worried about the electrical, but Mom had years of being an electrician and putting in the wiring on the doors to space capsules, and space shuttle in the Apollo Space Program, she did a good job on the bathroom and bedroom. Perhaps 79 wasn’t all that old.
This month, I turn 71. I am feeling age come on. I have a giant living with me to change the light bulbs. He is 8 years younger than I am. If there is any building to do, he does it. I noticed when I was crossing the street, a car was coming and —– I cannot run anymore. I am reduced to slapping the skidding car on the hood and yelling, “Stop, asshole!!!” I don’t care what the driver called me in return. At my age, I can now pretend to not hear them.
My Mom did not get old until she was 89 and a little dementia set in —— which she called “dimension”. She asked me, “Honey, do you think I have dimension?” I thought she was talking about cable TV and I said, “No. I don’t think there is Dimension here. I have Charter, but I think you have Cox.” To that, she said she did not have a cock. She is a female!!! What we had was a failure to communicate.
I watched as she lost her memory between 89 and 95. We put her in hospice at 95 and they put her on drugs. She lost memory of who her family was. She was constantly on a “high” and those were the happiest days of her life. She died two months ago just 3 months shy of turning 100. I wonder if I will make it to 100. What a challenge.
I can’t wait until the day I ask Immortal Pirate if I have dimension and he tells me, “Yes. And you seem to be getting more and more dimension every day.”
@ladybarbara i Enjoyed reading this! I think you will be 100 or beyond! I live with a younger man, as well. I guess I thought he would have more energy, but he doesn’t seem to. Makes me believe in age as a number.
There are a couple things at play here, and since you’re discussing it in your social work class, I think especially so.
First, there’s “old” in relation to the average age a person is going to die.
Second, there’s “old” in terms of societal milestones like being financially self-sufficient, and being able to live out the rest of your life without being financially burdened or feeling like you need to return to work to make a buck to pay the bills.
Third, there’s “old” in terms of ability. At some point people’s bodies start to deteriorate to the point that they have trouble doing things, or aren’t as able to do things as well as they may have previously been able to.
If I look at it terms of dying, if someone is old, greater than 85 is up there. They’ve gone past the average life expectancy, not just for the US but for the world average.
In terms of a societal norm or milestone, we say 65, although this age seems to be going up since people are getting dumber and don’t know how to plan for tomorrow. Everyone lives in today, and doesn’t have the financial ability to provide for themselves. This means they’re reliant on things like social programs, and all the different things you’re studying for.
Regarding “old” as it relates to ability, the body generally starts going downhill at about 45. After 45 it’s hard to accomplish things you were able to do, or could have done had you applied yourself. This applies to mental abilities as well as physical.
@Weenis You said: “In terms of a societal norm or milestone, we say 65, although this age seems to be going up since people are getting dumber and don’t know how to plan for tomorrow. Everyone lives in today, and doesn’t have the financial ability to provide for themselves. This means they’re reliant on things like social programs, and all the different things you’re studying for.”
That is one of your major flaws Weenis, you think you are the only one who does the right thing in life, and everyone else is a fuck up.
@Gina
No, that’s actually not it. Our laws actually say as much. 401k or IRA contributions are higher over 55. All our laws assume retirement at 65.
It’s not that I think I’m the only one that does the right thing in life, it’s that I’m considering laws, society as it is today, society as it was yesterday, and what it means for people to be financially independent. This has nothing to do with me in fact, since I’m not financially independent, I’m a millennial, and I have at most another 30 years of work ahead of me.
That being said, I attempt to be responsible with my resources, planning for the future. Purchasing valuable assets, investing money, 401k, IRA, savings, estates, land, and passive income.
This isn’t about being the only one who does right things in life, it’s about being a responsible adult.
Take this article titled “63% Of Americans Don’t Have Enough Savings To Cover A $500 Emergency” for instance-
https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2016/01/06/63-of-americans-dont-have-enough-savings-to-cover-a-500-emergency/#3f4cfa4e0d97
So, if you’re in that “63% Of Americans [Who] Don’t Have Enough Savings To Cover A $500 Emergency”, then yes, you’re a fuck up, as you so eloquently put it.
@Weenis OK, let me rephrase, you are not the only responsible adult in this country.
“Fuck Ups”, I am sure those are the words you think. I happen to like the word, fuck. It has such power.
@Gina
I never assumed I was.
I stated as much because of things like this-
@Weenis This is actually nice of you to post this information. I am getting close to retirement age, and I am very well aware; but others might not be. I was also lucky to work in companies that offered 401Ks and shares. I started a 401K at a young age. We are doing fine, and we will live a good old life. I give you kudos for you doing the same. Lot’s of younger people don’t think about the future.
You can tap into your 401K before you retire without any penalty at age 59 1/2.
I’m not sure what age I feel is old. What I do know is I fear 50 and over, personally. I just fear my body breaking down. Maybe it happens before, maybe later. That is when I will feel officially old. As for others, I’m not sure. Maybe a 65-70 area?
@yin in the mid 30’s is when most people start noticing physical decline. 50’s is still considered middle age. Not everyone’s body breaks down. Lifestyle plays a big role. Primary aging happens to everyone, so there is some slowing for everyone, but secondary aging occurs only in those with unhealthy lifestyles.
@Scarlett Yea, that is the main reason I considered maybe before. My family line has issues by itself on top of me being super unhealthy. I guess we will see where it takes me.
@yin define super unhealthy
@Scarlett Cheeseburgers, fries, cokes, pizzas, chili cheese dogs, corn dogs, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, chimichangas, tacos. Very little to no water, vegetables, fruits. When I get Little Caesars, I eat a large by myself. With Pizza Hut, I eat a medium by myself. Ate a whole large once. I was in too much pain after that though to try that again. I don’t smoke, but I live with a smoker.
258000 and counting…but I stopped counting a long long time ago. Growing old is for mortals…lol