There's debate on whether the trend towards postponing old age reflects more positive views on ageing or a perception of old age as an undesirable state. Delaying consideration of old age might leave individuals ill-prepared for the challenges of later life.
I was just thinking about this the other day, wondering when the world would consider me old. According to your article, I'm a Y-Old and I can live with that. Mostly I worry that once I begin to consider myself old, my body will comply. On the other hand, I don't want to run so hard through life at a time when I can enjoy a slower pace. Enjoyed this. Thank you.
I'm so glad that you enjoyed this. much of how we age is related to the voice in our head. Staying optimistic and being open to new ideas will help enormously. Also for me, with age comes the wisdom that we don't need to work flat out.
Thanks for commenting, so many interesting things happened and I love that you were still writing music but sorry you can no longer play at gigs. You are now back to work and found a voice here ... yay. I've just attended 4 days/nights of gigs ... interesting on Saturday night there were 3 mobility scooters outside, love how gig goers don't let mobility issues stop them out to a rock night (of original music).
I am aged 82 and am still active, as can be seen from the title of my Substack - yes, I do still stand on my head once a week or so. I saw all the discussion of what is 'old', and I can understand why the researchers asked the question (I, too, was a researcher in my day - qualitative in health and social care in the UK), but my one-woman mission is to reclaim the word 'old'. If it isn't pejorative, then there isn't an issue. I use the word 'old' a lot to describe myself, but just as I would use the word 'short' or 'married'. People are always telling me I should use the word 'older', but I prefer to call a spade a spade and change the mindset.
Thanks for commenting, I'm happy to be called old or any other description. I think many of the generation coming up behind me (I'm 66) fear ageing so much and they are now extending midlife to 75 ... and clearly chronologically that isn't true. I intend to remain youthful in spirit and to accept any changes in my body. Good on you for using what feels right for you. And if it gets people talking, all the better! :)
I’m in my late forties and have been fascinated of late by the change in general perception of what is “old” and what certain ages look like. I think the Golden Girls who played women similar age to Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Aniston. On one hand, I worry that it points to an unhealthy obsession with youth, an unhealthy belief that old is bad. On the other hand, a dear friend from my cycling community who is in her early 70s and an out ride many of us younger riders any day of the week is an inspiration. And the Golden Girls and the Jennifers are all gorgeous and doing fabulous work they love. I think in the end, I don’t have to worry about anything but what feels good to me about my own aging and embracing where I’m at and evolving. Thank you for this thought-provoking piece, Denise. Looking forward to delving into more of your work.
I want to encourage younger people to not fear ageing and see it as another life stage. We have the option to 'fight' ageing but I would rather embrace it. I have grey hair and love going to gigs, this means I stand out and younger people will often come and talk with me so I might be a bit of a role model! I'm so glad you enohyed this article.
Indeed, I want to stay active and youthful. Being creative and exploring new helps. I recently got back from living with a Maasai tribe, article to be published soon. It was physically and mentally challenging but how much did I learn. How much have I grown, and this is not typical for someone on my age ... but I don't want to be typical.
One test I took recently identfied that the brain starts to shrink after the age of 60 although in my case it seems to have starred around 65 so not an absolute benchmark. In addition IQ increases as we get older.
But a factor is certainly about when we start to slow fown or the affect is significant.
Having retired at 66 I noticed how the influences affected my mind set. "You've contributed in your working life now its time to take it easy" I often heard and welcomed. But it took longer to change my mindset that wanted to grapple with a project.
The wider system has a different view and the excuse of the shortage of money leaves me wondering about government policy.
65 has been retirement age since superannuation was brought in the late 60s or earlier. At the time less than 50% of the population were expected to live and receive a pension. Which turns state pension I to a lose excuse for direct taxation. This has been deftly sidestepped by changing the designation of pension into a benefit, suggesting its no longer earned but gifted by the state provider loser control to the general publiv
publicc.
What I've found helpful is to designate post retirement as the Third Age period for the distillation of wisdom from experience. Useful it could be if thee is the listening fir those who might benefit.
Thanks for commenting. The difference types of intelligence between younger and older people is interesting (fluid and crystallized) and this is a great prompt for my next article – out tomorrow.
I’ve studied a lot on mindset, and how very powerful our mind can be …many older people feel they can no longer do something because of their age and it becomes a reality.
We have so many years ahead of us, after receipt of the state retirement pension and I agree that this is a time for us older people to share more wisdom, and offer more listening than telling. Indeed, that is the focus of my next research project and book.
Very interesting, Denise! I am 61 and don't think of myself as old. Maybe young old. But I am retired, and I somewhat equate retired with old, even though I know that's not true.
So much is a state of mind … and retirement can mean different things. I now have my state and occupational pension so could class myself as retired, but I remain active and wouldn’t use that as a description
I don’t see myself as old … but I’m older than many of the people I know. For research purposes I like young-old and indeed would be happy to say I’m a yold! I don’t want my younger friends to fear ageing.
Yes, retired but active. It is a state of mind, and my mind is younger than my body. Perhaps I'll just start referring to myself as a writer rather than retired. No age implied with, "writer!" Thanks, Denise!
I was just thinking about this the other day, wondering when the world would consider me old. According to your article, I'm a Y-Old and I can live with that. Mostly I worry that once I begin to consider myself old, my body will comply. On the other hand, I don't want to run so hard through life at a time when I can enjoy a slower pace. Enjoyed this. Thank you.
I'm so glad that you enjoyed this. much of how we age is related to the voice in our head. Staying optimistic and being open to new ideas will help enormously. Also for me, with age comes the wisdom that we don't need to work flat out.
My ages
Born 1945 aug
1995 age 50 finally finish BA at FAU.
2000. 55. Start at FAU
2003 begin regular music gigs
2010 65
2006-2012 6 CDs original music
produced
2012 67 retire from FAU July
2017 72 rapid onset neuropathy, now old
Lose 50% strength in arms, legs
No more gigs though still writing
2022 76 Apr THR, Sept kidneys.
Now older
2023 77 May back to work
2023 78 Nov start Substack.
Thanks for commenting, so many interesting things happened and I love that you were still writing music but sorry you can no longer play at gigs. You are now back to work and found a voice here ... yay. I've just attended 4 days/nights of gigs ... interesting on Saturday night there were 3 mobility scooters outside, love how gig goers don't let mobility issues stop them out to a rock night (of original music).
I am aged 82 and am still active, as can be seen from the title of my Substack - yes, I do still stand on my head once a week or so. I saw all the discussion of what is 'old', and I can understand why the researchers asked the question (I, too, was a researcher in my day - qualitative in health and social care in the UK), but my one-woman mission is to reclaim the word 'old'. If it isn't pejorative, then there isn't an issue. I use the word 'old' a lot to describe myself, but just as I would use the word 'short' or 'married'. People are always telling me I should use the word 'older', but I prefer to call a spade a spade and change the mindset.
Thanks for commenting, I'm happy to be called old or any other description. I think many of the generation coming up behind me (I'm 66) fear ageing so much and they are now extending midlife to 75 ... and clearly chronologically that isn't true. I intend to remain youthful in spirit and to accept any changes in my body. Good on you for using what feels right for you. And if it gets people talking, all the better! :)
I’m in my late forties and have been fascinated of late by the change in general perception of what is “old” and what certain ages look like. I think the Golden Girls who played women similar age to Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Aniston. On one hand, I worry that it points to an unhealthy obsession with youth, an unhealthy belief that old is bad. On the other hand, a dear friend from my cycling community who is in her early 70s and an out ride many of us younger riders any day of the week is an inspiration. And the Golden Girls and the Jennifers are all gorgeous and doing fabulous work they love. I think in the end, I don’t have to worry about anything but what feels good to me about my own aging and embracing where I’m at and evolving. Thank you for this thought-provoking piece, Denise. Looking forward to delving into more of your work.
I want to encourage younger people to not fear ageing and see it as another life stage. We have the option to 'fight' ageing but I would rather embrace it. I have grey hair and love going to gigs, this means I stand out and younger people will often come and talk with me so I might be a bit of a role model! I'm so glad you enohyed this article.
I love that! I don’t plan to fight aging. But I much want to stay active and able to follow the pursuits of my heart for as long as possible.
Indeed, I want to stay active and youthful. Being creative and exploring new helps. I recently got back from living with a Maasai tribe, article to be published soon. It was physically and mentally challenging but how much did I learn. How much have I grown, and this is not typical for someone on my age ... but I don't want to be typical.
One test I took recently identfied that the brain starts to shrink after the age of 60 although in my case it seems to have starred around 65 so not an absolute benchmark. In addition IQ increases as we get older.
But a factor is certainly about when we start to slow fown or the affect is significant.
Having retired at 66 I noticed how the influences affected my mind set. "You've contributed in your working life now its time to take it easy" I often heard and welcomed. But it took longer to change my mindset that wanted to grapple with a project.
The wider system has a different view and the excuse of the shortage of money leaves me wondering about government policy.
65 has been retirement age since superannuation was brought in the late 60s or earlier. At the time less than 50% of the population were expected to live and receive a pension. Which turns state pension I to a lose excuse for direct taxation. This has been deftly sidestepped by changing the designation of pension into a benefit, suggesting its no longer earned but gifted by the state provider loser control to the general publiv
publicc.
What I've found helpful is to designate post retirement as the Third Age period for the distillation of wisdom from experience. Useful it could be if thee is the listening fir those who might benefit.
Thanks for commenting. The difference types of intelligence between younger and older people is interesting (fluid and crystallized) and this is a great prompt for my next article – out tomorrow.
I’ve studied a lot on mindset, and how very powerful our mind can be …many older people feel they can no longer do something because of their age and it becomes a reality.
We have so many years ahead of us, after receipt of the state retirement pension and I agree that this is a time for us older people to share more wisdom, and offer more listening than telling. Indeed, that is the focus of my next research project and book.
Best wishes, Denise
Very interesting, Denise! I am 61 and don't think of myself as old. Maybe young old. But I am retired, and I somewhat equate retired with old, even though I know that's not true.
So much is a state of mind … and retirement can mean different things. I now have my state and occupational pension so could class myself as retired, but I remain active and wouldn’t use that as a description
I don’t see myself as old … but I’m older than many of the people I know. For research purposes I like young-old and indeed would be happy to say I’m a yold! I don’t want my younger friends to fear ageing.
Yes, retired but active. It is a state of mind, and my mind is younger than my body. Perhaps I'll just start referring to myself as a writer rather than retired. No age implied with, "writer!" Thanks, Denise!
Writer is a great description and true ... and it opens up a conversation when you tell people. I'm so glad it helped