The Best is Yet to Come—Decades of Rich Possibilities

60 or over?   As you live now and look toward the later decades of your life I encourage you to live them with confidence, expectancy and enthusiasm.

It’s time for a fresh vision of the coming years. The best is yet to come.

In the 20th century we added an unprecedented number of years to our lifespan, thanks to science, technology, health care and behavior changes, etc.  So we have many more years to look forward to.  The question now is what should these years look and feel like?

Let’s look at some popular myths about aging, fed by the media, marketers and sincere people who just don’t know better:

• Myth: Eventually you’ll end up in a nursing home. This is a great fear among people as they age.
  Truth: Erber and Szuchman in their book 37 Great Myths of Aging report that in 2011 only 3% of people 65 and older lived in institutional settings. Only 11% of those 85 and over did so. Other studies support these finding so the nursing home or other institutional settings is not likely to be your reality

• Myth: Nursing home or not, eventually dementia will get you.
  Truth: Percentages among studies vary, but they generally agree that most people will not develop dimentia.

• Myth: Older people are grouchy, depressed and unhappy about being old.
  Truth: Not so. A 2009 study by the Stanford Center on Longevity, Stanford University concluded that quality of life improves with age. Older people actually experience increased wisdom, expertise, perspective, contentment and overall well being when compared to middle aged and younger persons. Other studies cite better social skills and the capacity for greater empathy.

• Myth: Older people are frail, vulnerable and easily victimized.
  Truth: This picture is greatly exaggerated. Notice that the presentation of older people in the media, if they appear at all, is slanted toward helplessness and dependency. (“I’ve fallen down and I can’t get up”) Like all stereotypes there is some limited truth, but it needs to be balanced by a picture of older people who are mentally astute, assertive and physically fit.

• Myth: Brain power declines with age. Truth: While it is true that some cognitive functioning declines with age (such as tests that require speed), it is not true for verbal ability and knowledge. A study from researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of Texas concluded that older people are more likely to use higher order reasoning to look at issues from multiple perspectives and see opportunities for compromise and conflict resolution.

Clearly the landscape is not bleak and gloomy!  It’s important that you challenge these misconceptions and that you do not let others stereotype you.  Most importantly, pay attention to your self talk as it relates to aging.

Now that the myths have been debunked what are the rich possibilities of aging for you?

• A time for self discovery—to look inward and know and appreciate who you are, who you have become, and who you can be.

• A time for self renewal and pursuing your dreams. New beginnings can occur at any age.

• A time for fun, play, laughter, adventure and travel Explore the internet for ideas and opportunities. Check out the interest groups,” meet ups”, senior travel groups. Explore the offerings of your local senior center. They can really “rock”.

• A time to get physical! Avail yourself of fitness programs and centers. “Keep it moving”. Get excited about your exercise and physical activities as part of your physical, mental and emotional health program.

• A time for exploring new relationships and re-igniting existing ones—it’s never to late for love.

• A time for learning and discovery Keep that brain agile. Keep learning and stretching. Brain research says that mental stretching is a front line defense against mental decline. Do an internet search for Nola Ochs and you will find that she became a college freshman at the age of 95. Henry Ford wisely said “anyone who stops learning is old, whether 20 or 80”.

• A time to be the change you want to see. Engage in the affairs of your community, city, state, and nation. Share your greater ability for building consensus, building community and resolving conflict. Let your experience and wisdom impact the world.

• A time to serve. Volunteers make an important difference with the monetary and social value of their service for the general well being of the community. Many a nonprofit could not function without them. What you do matters. Serve as your interests and passions lead you.

• A time to build your legacy, share your values, and life lessons learned. Your family and the world need to hear from you. Be intergenerational; marvelous things happen when generations share, learn and empathize with each other.

So join me in embracing decades of possibilities.  It excites me.  I hope it excites you.  I encourage you to create and live out an empowering vision for your later years. Bring it on with your “sass and swagger”, with wisdom and grace.

These are your years to be all you can be.  To quote the poet Robert Frost, "Come grow old with me for the best is yet to come."

©Sheila Stevens, 2018