Successful Aging: Oxymoron or New Reality?

Ask Boomers what the best years of their lives were and they will tell you that theyamp8217re right here right now amp160Whatamp8217s more many have convinced themselves that theyamp8217re getting better with age and that lifeamp8217s best years are still ahead amp160There are two dynamics at play here The first is what I call the irrational psychology of aging that has people replacing the negative aspects of aging decline morbidity and mortality with a positive scenario thatamp8217s more consistent with their desired view for the future amp160The second is the manifestation of the theories that Rowe and Kahn posited approximately four decades ago amp160If we can understand how the convergence of these dynamics is influencing aging we will be in a better position to successfully market to people who are successfully agingLetamp8217s start with Rowe and Kahnamp8217s innovative theory on aging amp160At the time most gerontological thought centered on the role of intrinsic factors eg genetics in determining how a person would age and how long he or she would live amp160Rowe and Kahn challenged these longheld beliefs by exploring the role of extrinsic factors like personal behavior amp160They concluded that personal behavior could not only control aging but that it was paramount to geneticsHere are the specifics described in the context of a pretty large sample of aging Baby Boomers who have a vested interest in controlling aging for positive outcomes amp160For Rowe and Kahn successful aging consists of three critical componentsBeing free of disability and disease amp160Previous theory held that disease and its associated disabilities were genetically predetermined and were therefore inevitable consequences of aging amp160Rowe and Kahn posited that personal lifestyle choices could actually reduce the risk of disease and help people stay healthy longer amp160Since they published their findings improvements in medical science nutrition and physical fitness have increased average life expectancy to 80 an increase of 10 years amp160Then thereamp8217s heart disease long the leading cause of death which has seen a drop of 20 in the last four decades as people are becoming better educated about the causes and are taking better care of themselves amp160If physical wellbeing is the foundation of successful aging that foundation has never been stronger as the Baby Boomers look toward a long future with optimistic expectationsHaving high cognitive and physical abilities amp160A second essential component of successful aging is the optimization of oneamp8217s functional capability ie the ability to do the things they need to or want to amp160Functioning positively at age requires sound cognitive skills and physical competency amp160While cognition is compromised with age the Boomersamp8217 commitment to continued learning and their decision to stay employed longer are challenging their brains in ways weamp8217ve never seen before at this age stage amp160Physically think also about the diverse array of exercise alternatives that are available today versus what Rowe and Kahn experienced in the amp821680s amp160Pilates Barre and Zumba now the rage with people of age were nonexistent in Rowe and Kahnamp8217s era a time when golfing during retirement was the top physical aspiration for people of age amp160Look at us now with our smarter brains and stronger bodies aging our way to successInteracting with others in meaningful ways amp160Itamp8217s widely accepted that isolation and a lack of connectedness can be unhealthy for all people but particularly those of age amp160Active engagement with the world around you is clearly controllable and if that includes interpersonal relationships and activities that are productive ie they have some value thatamp8217s rewarding then the likelihood of aging successfully is even higher amp160Again if we think about the alternatives that are available to todayamp8217s people of age that werenamp8217t even imaginable four decades ago social media comes immediately to mind amp160Consider the power of these platforms in helping people of age to interact with vast networks of friends or to contribute in meaningful ways by being part of online based causes and organizations amp160People of age are avoiding isolation and engaging with life at levels comparable to their younger years amp160And best of all if youamp8217re still doing the things youamp8217ve always done then you must be agelessLook how far weamp8217ve come in four decades amp160Successful aging terminology that once sounded oxymoronic has become the new reality for people of age amp160Bravo amp160While itamp8217s not clear what the next forty years might bring it is clear we need a new standard to aspire to that feels as audacious as successful aging did all those years ago amp160So here goes nothing amp160Iamp8217m going to suggest that people of age embrace a new goal that I will call amp8220Ageless Agingamp8221amp160 With continued advances in medical science and personal attentiveness to wellbeing age will cease to be measured numerically and will be measured spiritually instead amp160Itamp8217s worth considering and hey itamp8217s even another oxymoron amp160Letamp8217s touch base in four decades to see how well weamp8217ve donePhoto at top provided by BoomAgersClick on the social media tiles above or below to share this content with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this commentary are exclusively those of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated bloggers

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Successful Aging: Oxymoron or New Reality?

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Peter Hubbell

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Successful Aging: Oxymoron or New Reality?

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