Don, great piece! I'm also an "exception" at age 73. I don't have to take any prescription medications, although I do take some additional vitamins and minerals to boost my immune system. I get regular checkups and stay physically, socially, and spiritually active. My memory isn't what it once was, but I heard a great answer if you lose track of what you were saying and there is that inevitable long pause. You didn't forget what you were saying - you just lost interest in it. LOL
I want quality and try to ensure good health. I have osteoarthritis and have had a new hip
and new knee, but need one more of each eventually. Thank goodness for parts replacement ass it keeps me moving……quality of. Life, health, etc.
I am lucky enough to have a pcp who focuses on prevention without being preachy….she knows I know I need to lose some excess weight and as long as I say it first we are all good. …and I do make periodic progress there.
We live in an over 55 active community in Maine and I watch a lot of folks creep up that number line…..most are committed to staying active and pretty independent as long as possible. Good role models when I see the 80 year olds out cross country skiing.
Dear Don, I am sceptical of Dr. Choskhi's claim that global health statistics have a bearing on American health after age 65. But I can see us skew the health statistics of the world for better and for worse at the same time. We spend by far the most money, and get both the best and the worst care.
I may have given an inaccurate reading of his thought. He reviewed global stats, including U.S. stats, and noted that Americans average hitting bad health by age 66. Several European countries average healthspans up to four years longer.
It seems to me that there has to be a happy medium between paying no attention at all to one's wellbeing in old age...and becoming fixated on the lima beans. This is a very contemporary and perhaps a very American preoccupation which denies the value of pleasure. Not a good way to go, in my opinion.
I've been hearing about the Attia book for awhile and just added it to my Kindle collection. My goal is to live to be 100 - 15 years to go. But as you say, I have to do everything I can to help myself do it in a healthy - physically and mentally way. That's interesting about exercise. I've just begun playing pickleball - very carefully and safely - it's great for building stamina, movement, hand-eye coordination, and a fun way to exercise.
Everytime I'm back in the UK, I'm struck by how little Brits stress about longevity. My granny made it to 99, all marbles intact, and thought it "ridiculous". She'd outlived all her friends, and while she stayed cheerful, she'd had enough.
Great piece, as always. My mom, who died 2 weeks short of her 99th birthday, said that late 90s are very different from early 90s. My financial advisor is assuming that I'll make it to 93 (and then run out of money, presumably), so I'm in your club, Don!
My mom, who was Director of Nurses in a nursing home for many years, talked a lot about quality of life during her career. But in her nineties, bedridden, she had this to say: “It looks different when you get here.”
Or as Leonard Cohen put it, “Ring the bells that still can ring / Forget your perfect offering.”
Watching this play out in real time as my father, 92, has hit a sudden, sharp decline, changing his quality of life dramatically. This raises questions about longevity--and the price paid for extra years.
Would I have traded some years off of my lifespan if we could've been spared the horrendous and lingering miseries of Sept 11, Jan 6, Oct 7, and Covid? You bet.
Don, great piece! I'm also an "exception" at age 73. I don't have to take any prescription medications, although I do take some additional vitamins and minerals to boost my immune system. I get regular checkups and stay physically, socially, and spiritually active. My memory isn't what it once was, but I heard a great answer if you lose track of what you were saying and there is that inevitable long pause. You didn't forget what you were saying - you just lost interest in it. LOL
Jim, you're obviously doing something right.
I want quality and try to ensure good health. I have osteoarthritis and have had a new hip
and new knee, but need one more of each eventually. Thank goodness for parts replacement ass it keeps me moving……quality of. Life, health, etc.
I am lucky enough to have a pcp who focuses on prevention without being preachy….she knows I know I need to lose some excess weight and as long as I say it first we are all good. …and I do make periodic progress there.
We live in an over 55 active community in Maine and I watch a lot of folks creep up that number line…..most are committed to staying active and pretty independent as long as possible. Good role models when I see the 80 year olds out cross country skiing.
Great role models! Keep moving.
Great question here Don. I’d go with quality. But hopefully quality quantity if possible? 🤓
Dear Don, I am sceptical of Dr. Choskhi's claim that global health statistics have a bearing on American health after age 65. But I can see us skew the health statistics of the world for better and for worse at the same time. We spend by far the most money, and get both the best and the worst care.
I may have given an inaccurate reading of his thought. He reviewed global stats, including U.S. stats, and noted that Americans average hitting bad health by age 66. Several European countries average healthspans up to four years longer.
It seems to me that there has to be a happy medium between paying no attention at all to one's wellbeing in old age...and becoming fixated on the lima beans. This is a very contemporary and perhaps a very American preoccupation which denies the value of pleasure. Not a good way to go, in my opinion.
There must be a medium, and I hope you find it.
I've been hearing about the Attia book for awhile and just added it to my Kindle collection. My goal is to live to be 100 - 15 years to go. But as you say, I have to do everything I can to help myself do it in a healthy - physically and mentally way. That's interesting about exercise. I've just begun playing pickleball - very carefully and safely - it's great for building stamina, movement, hand-eye coordination, and a fun way to exercise.
You seem to be everything right, Janice. I hope you make your goal in great health.
Everytime I'm back in the UK, I'm struck by how little Brits stress about longevity. My granny made it to 99, all marbles intact, and thought it "ridiculous". She'd outlived all her friends, and while she stayed cheerful, she'd had enough.
I guess we're just bred to be competitive.
😂
Great piece, as always. My mom, who died 2 weeks short of her 99th birthday, said that late 90s are very different from early 90s. My financial advisor is assuming that I'll make it to 93 (and then run out of money, presumably), so I'm in your club, Don!
Looking forward to lining up my rocker next to yours.
Such an important conversation! Thank you, Don.
My mom, who was Director of Nurses in a nursing home for many years, talked a lot about quality of life during her career. But in her nineties, bedridden, she had this to say: “It looks different when you get here.”
Or as Leonard Cohen put it, “Ring the bells that still can ring / Forget your perfect offering.”
Perspective changes everything, doesn't it? Thanks!
Watching this play out in real time as my father, 92, has hit a sudden, sharp decline, changing his quality of life dramatically. This raises questions about longevity--and the price paid for extra years.
Sorry to hear about your father.
Quality. Thanks for another thoughtful and informative piece.
Thank you, Alice!
Would I have traded some years off of my lifespan if we could've been spared the horrendous and lingering miseries of Sept 11, Jan 6, Oct 7, and Covid? You bet.
A pity we can't edit as we go.
You had to mention potato chips? 😂 Another smart, thought provoking post, Don. Thank you 😊
Absolutely! In the best case.