GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY
Today the average duration of human life in
the United States is just about 70 years for women and a little
less for men. Conservative experts believe that man is really
build to last about 100 years; and that medical advances and
more healthful living habits could bring this about within
a generation or two. What good is it to add years to life
if we do not also add life to years? In fact, unless people
learn to enjoy life and to grow old gracefully, the extra
years may be an additional burden. From 18 to 30 years is
roughly the period of highest physical and mental vigor. The
experiences we accumulate from the day we are born help us
to conserve and to use our physical and mental abilities more
wisely, so that for some time after 30 years we are able to
perform increasingly well in spite of slowly slipping vigor.
After age 50 the increasing accumulation of experience is
no longer able to offset the now more rapidly energy and therefore
aging begins to assert itself noticeably and in many ways.
A number of things may come about gradually such as people
who have not used eyeglasses before may at some time in their
forties need them for reading, and in the fifties they usually
need bifocals. Also in the forties, people are likely to put
on weight because there is a general slowdown in the oxidation
rate of the aging body tissue. Also we tend to do less strenuous
work with no reduction in the amount of food consumed. And
in the fifties there is likely to be some loss of hearing.
Usually the high-pitched tomes go first, so words with the
sounds of F, S, and The are confused. A hearing aid may be
needed in some cases. Aging is generally accompanied by a
loss in physical and mental flexibility. This is noticed in
a tendency to become stiff in the joints; in slower comeback
after a strenuous trip, excessive "night life," or hard work;
in slower healing of wounds, sore muscles, and sprains; in
slower recovery of pep after an illness; and in greater difficulty
to adjust to new people, new places, and new ideas. Men, especially,
will notice loss of muscular strength. There will be increased
unsteadiness and delicate muscle movements will be more clumsy
and the stride in waking will become shorter. The conclusion
now is that the performance and ability of the elderly has
long been underestimated and can be greatly improved by a
proper diet, sleep and exercise along with rest and relaxation.
Many elderly people tend to lose their joy and will to live
and chronic worriers may mope around and withdraw. Medical
authorities now say that laughter is one of the best medicines
for the elderly. You can always keep your sense of humor tuned
up by surrounding yourself with pleasant and interesting people.
Just act your age and don't be afraid to laugh at yourself
even when no else is around. Now that we all know the role
that physical activity plays in our lives, remember to do
something physical every day. The joints must be used or quite
simply they will tighten with age creating that stooped worn
out appearance we so often associate with getting old. Keep
yourself flexible and fit on an exercise program consistent
with your ability.