topic Re: Old At 65?? in Wellness

Old At 65??

Puzzle Piece — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 20:59:21 GMT

I recently spoke with a friend who reached 65 years of age. They tell me they are old. It's like snap, they turned old in a day. I said it's merely a number and that they don't need to feel old. They responded that they are now a senior citizen so that makes them old. I don't feel that they are old in heart or spirit and in most ways have more youth in them than much younger individuals - no health problems either. Any advice or statement you can share would help as I will pass it along to them to help them get out of their rut and embrace life.

Re: Old At 65??

duclane — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:05:54 GMT

Stop dwelling on the number!! Get off the sofa, turn off the TV/news (too much negativity) take a walk if you can---take a class in something. Update your wardrobe a bit. Wear makeup and smile. Don 't talk about ailments or problems in the family. Listen to fun music (50's 60's music will get you dancing) say a thank you everyday that you wake up. Join a fun club. Gee I could go on all day. Gotta go now and dance in my living room!!!!!!!

Re: Old At 65??

brewhaha — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:06:53 GMT

It's how you feel inside.

Re: Old At 65??

Buck-i-Nana — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:09:34 GMT

I don't see a problem with someone saying they are old as based on physical age. What's wrong is thinking just because we are old, we can't act young anymore. I do everything today at 60 that I've done all my life, with the exception of heavy lifting when my arthritis is flaring.

I think the problem here is that somehow, old has become a bad thing and that's just silly.

Re: Old At 65??

chrystaltree — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:14:11 GMT

You can't change how people think and you shouldn't even try. Your friends are who they are. Respect that. It's exactly the opposite with my friends. I'm 54 but I tended to have older friends. My bff is 73 and another good friend turns 72 next month. Both women belong to they "you are as young as you feel" club. They are fit, active, happy, youthful. If you looked at them, you would believe that they are in their late early 60's, even late 50's. My friends just never got old. Sure, they years have gone by but they just never stopped being themselves. I work with a few women who are like that too. They never put on that "old lady" cloak. I have great role models when it comes to aging happily, aging well physically and mentally.

Re: Old At 65??

chrystaltree — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:18:44 GMT

On 7/14/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:
I don't see a problem with someone saying they are old as based on physical age. What's wrong is thinking just because we are old, we can't act young anymore. I do everything today at 60 that I've done all my life, with the exception of heavy lifting when my arthritis is flaring.

I think the problem here is that somehow, old has become a bad thing and that's just silly.

Now you made me laugh....out loud.....and people think I've lost it. I don't think many people think of 60 when they discuss age. 60 is middle age, whatever you did at 40, you can still do at 60.

Re: Old At 65??

Nana5 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:19:03 GMT

I'm several years older than your friend. I qualify for senior discounts, am on Medicare and collect Social Security so I guess I could be considered "old." Some days I feel old; most days I don't. When I'm running out the driveway to get the mail, I sometimes mislead myself into believing that I'm decades younger. Age is just a number.

Re: Old At 65??

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:21:18 GMT

I think people fall into the "old" trap because, let's face it, none of us knows how long we have! ... So how can you gauge where you're at on the time line?

Here's another way to look at it ...... Due to medical advances and emphasis on health, more and more are living to be ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD. .... Right now, we have more than 105,000 Americans that are 100 years old, or older.

So, it's not unreasonable to think that yes, your friend could live to be 100 years old ... or older. If they lived to be 100, they now have THIRTY FIVE YEARS left!

They should think about that for a while .... and ask what they plan to do with their next 35 years ...

Re: Old At 65??

151949 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:46:12 GMT

tinkrb44- what an excellent post. And , yes, many of us who are in our 60's now will see 100. 35 years is still a long way to go.

What a sad thing that our society so worships youth and disdains the older person.

Re: Old At 65??

Buck-i-Nana — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:54:30 GMT

On 7/14/2014 chrystaltree said:
On 7/14/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:
I don't see a problem with someone saying they are old as based on physical age. What's wrong is thinking just because we are old, we can't act young anymore. I do everything today at 60 that I've done all my life, with the exception of heavy lifting when my arthritis is flaring.

I think the problem here is that somehow, old has become a bad thing and that's just silly.

Now you made me laugh....out loud.....and people think I've lost it. I don't think many people think of 60 when they discuss age. 60 is middle age, whatever you did at 40, you can still do at 60.

I still do what I did at 20, if that matters to you. No matter how you slice it though, 60 is not middle age unless we will be living to be 110-120, and I don't see that in my future! Someone else posted about people living to be 100, and yes, some do, but the majority don't. My family history is long productive lives, with most of the women living into their 90s and being self-sufficient until the last few months. At 60, I'm 2/3 of the way there.

Re: Old At 65??

straykatz — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:59:14 GMT

Old is a matter of perception....old does not have to mean feeble or frail....just like being feeble or frail does not mean you are old.

Re: Old At 65??

Kathlen — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 22:11:10 GMT

That's odd! How can someone be old at 65 ... when I'm not old and I'm 72?

Re: Old At 65??

violann — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 22:23:51 GMT

I've finished better than half of an Associate's degree in a Fine Arts field with a 4.0 grade average, that has been my dream since I was 15. I'm gracefully accepted by my peers, most of whom could be my grandchildren. I've lost 80 pounds, greatly improving my health and activity level. All this since I turned 65. Life is VERY GOOD!

Re: Old At 65??

motherinlaw — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 22:26:38 GMT

I have a sister-in-law that has been doing this for years before she was even 65! It's mentioned in almost everything she says and does.

Not my cup of tea. Guess this is how she deals with aging.

Re: Old At 65??

DoneTryin — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 22:31:00 GMT

"Old" is just a word, the same way that age is just a number. 66 here. Some days I feel "old" & other days I just feel "normal" if there is such as thing as normal. As much as I dislike it, I've had to admit to myself that I now do have some physical limitations because the machine's parts do exhibit wear & tear over time. The memory's still pretty good, but recall isn't quite as fast as it used to be. So what, I'm still here in the world & I still have things to do. BTW, I get bright, metallic purple highlights in my hair & wear paisley-design clogs, both of which are always complimented upon by "young" people.

Re: Old At 65??

fancy pantsy — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 23:27:10 GMT

honey, when i got that medicare card in the mail i JUMPED FOR JOY

it has taken me 65 years to get where i am today and i am one mighty happy, healthy person. my hair is grey, i've packed on those post-menopause pounds, and after a night out dancing (YES!) my legs can feel the pain. i would not go back for nuthin!

Re: Old At 65??

Marienkaefer2 — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 00:34:01 GMT

On 7/14/2014 chrystaltree said:
You can't change how people think and you shouldn't even try. Your friends are who they are. Respect that. It's exactly the opposite with my friends. I'm 54 but I tended to have older friends. My bff is 73 and another good friend turns 72 next month. Both women belong to they "you are as young as you feel" club. They are fit, active, happy, youthful. If you looked at them, you would believe that they are in their late early 60's, even late 50's. My friends just never got old. Sure, they years have gone by but they just never stopped being themselves. I work with a few women who are like that too. They never put on that "old lady" cloak. I have great role models when it comes to aging happily, aging well physically and mentally.

Bingo! I think that is the key.

My grandparents lived to their mid nineties, and up until the end, they lived life as they always had.

My grandfather always said, don't think about the number. They were both youthful looking and acting, and everyone always remarked on it.

I went hiking, yes hiking, with both of them in the Adirondacks, when they were in their 80s.

Like someone here said, turn off the tv and do the things you want to do.

Re: Old At 65??

Sooner — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 00:46:54 GMT

It never ceases to amaze me how people in this country are so terrified of admitting they are old. Is it a crime I don't know about? Do they send you to jail for this? I am 60. I am old. I am not young for darned sure, and I sound out-of-touch saying I am middle aged unless I truly believe I will live to be 120. I am officially entering old age, and happy to be there!

I still do a lot of things--most things, but no, I at least can't do all the things I did at 20, and not some of them without paying the price. Health wise, things start to happen now as you age.

It's ok. Nothing to moan and groan about and nothing will keep you from getting old except death. So old ain't so bad after all!

Re: Old At 65??

Marienkaefer2 — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 00:51:39 GMT

On 7/14/2014 Sooner said:
It never ceases to amaze me how people in this country are so terrified of admitting they are old. Is it a crime I don't know about? Do they send you to jail for this? I am 60. I am old. I am not young for darned sure, and I sound out-of-touch saying I am middle aged unless I truly believe I will live to be 120. I am officially entering old age, and happy to be there!

I still do a lot of things--most things, but no, I at least can't do all the things I did at 20, and not some of them without paying the price. Health wise, things start to happen now as you age.

It's ok. Nothing to moan and groan about and nothing will keep you from getting old except death. So old ain't so bad after all!

I'd say if you are happy and living the life you want, then you are not terrified of anything.

Re: Old At 65??

bluheart — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 02:11:58 GMT

It is a state of mind, an attitude. I will be 59 in a few months. Have some health issues. Some days I feel 90, other days I feel about 30.

I also think it depends on where you live. What you have done throughout your life. I live in a conservative area though I am not and it does seem some of the people I've gotten to know here seem very old for being in their mid 60s. They often act much older. Have old-fashioned ideas. Then there are those people in the community who are busy, make an effort to act more youthful and they are many years older than I am.

You can't deny your age but you don't have to act your age or look your age. Maybe some people want to act their age or older. It's very easy to let the momentum of the aging process take you with it.