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8 Ways to Grow Old Gracefully

22-05-2009

“Time may change me, but I won’t change time”. D Bowie, 1974”

“John, don’t stop this train”. John Mayer, 2007

Being Older

I have a clear recollection of waving goodbye to my parents as they departed on a trip, and suddenly realising they looked frail.

I have no recollection of waking one morning to the stark realisation that I was suddenly “old”. There is an element of subjectivity to this, as I am nearly of pensionable age. It has something to do with the seemingly rapid progress of time once childhood is over. After all, when you are 10 years old, one year constitutes 10% of your worldly experience. Not so when you are 60 years old.

New Retirement Age!

During the recent budget speech (12th May 2009), the treasurer announced an extension of the official “retirement age” to 67 by 2012. People have been “old” at 65 years since the National Age Pension was introduced in 1909. Until then the individual “colonies” (which became the states) provided for their aging populations. Pensionable age was set at 65 years, and pensions were set at 25% of the “basic wage”. It was means and asset tested, even in 1909.

By 1910 34% of those over 65 years received the pension, but average life expectancy was only 55.2 years for men and 55.8 years for women (today it is 77.6 years for men and 83.5 years for women). In 2004, 72% of those over 65 years received a pension, but of course many more people were now surviving past pensionable age.

So, relative to the dramatic change in life expectancy, the change of only 2 years in pensionable age over the last 100 years is relatively small.

Are today’s over 65’s healthier than previous generations?

The question is whether today’s people over 65 years are a healthier lot than their equivalents at Federation. It is likely that illness did away with many more in those days, with the survivors being a possibly hardier bunch genetically. Modern medicine has presumably enabled more people to live to an age where they can develop dementia. There is a close relationship between advanced age and dementia, especially in women. This has dramatic implications for health expenditure for the foreseeable future.

We live in a culture which admires human beauty, naturally the province of those in the prime of their lives. Advertising usually promotes its products using images of attractive young people. The explosion of cosmetic medicine in its surgical and non-surgical forms is evidence of the value we place on youthful appearance. After a bike ride in Centennial Park, I was having coffee next to 2 males, in their 60’s by the look of them. One mentioned how well his mate looked. His mate said “I’ve got a good panel beater”! A prime selling point for any product (especially for skin care or vitamins) is its “anti-aging properties”.

The sporting arena will always be in the ownership of the young, especially at its elite levels. However, there has also been an explosion in “age group” levels eg. Masters’ Games. This is indicative of the value placed upon physical activity by older sections of the community, and the market this creates. 10,000 will participate in the half marathon I am doing in Sydney next week-end. I would think a significant number will be of pensionable age.

Great Achievers Who Have Defied the Clock!

There are many examples of human achievement which occur later in the life cycle. Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1940 at age 66 years, and remained in this position until 1946. He was re-elected in 1951 and retired from the Prime Ministership aged 80 years in 1955. He remained a Member of the House of Commons. He wrote his epic “History of the English Speaking Peoples” over the next 2 years. All this whilst consuming many cigars and copious amounts of alcohol each day! Mind you, he’d not spent much of his life in manual labour.

Eisenhower began his 2 terms as United States President aged 61 years. Ronald Regan’s presidency was between ages 70-78 years. Nelson Mandela was elected President of South Africa aged 76 years. Other names that spring to mind in this context are Rupert Murdoch and Warren Buffett. Judges in Australia retire at age 70 years. In the United States Supreme Court judges are elected for life.

Does ‘Retirement Date' Mean ‘Use by Date’?

The notion of “retirement” is linked to that of pensionable age. The implication is that one’s “use by date” is up.

Both concepts are relative to the “paid work” phenomenon. This really got a move on following the Industrial Revolution in the mid 1850’s. The growth of industry necessitated a supply of labour, which produced a population of people working “regular hours” and dependent upon wages to survive. Presumably there was a time when these people either died or were not physically capable of work. Initially they were cared for by families or charitable organisations in their later years. As their numbers increased by the 20th century, governments (Germany and New Zealand were amongst the first) had to step in to provide some financial support, due to increasing numbers of people over the age of 65 years.

Of course there is a huge variation in the nature of “work” (from hard manual labour to taxing intellectually-based occupations) and our enjoyment of it. Emeritus Professor Sol Encel UNSW says that for the vast majority of people (75%) work as a chore ie. a way to make ends meet. These people have less choice by way of whether they remain in the workforce or not. For that majority, retirement is a much more enticing option than working in a less satisfying job past retirement (Sydney Morning Herald 14th May 2009).

Why the Baby Boomers Are Staying in the Workforce

Since 1998, more workers have remained in the workforce until retiring age (up from 42% to 52% in the 60-64 year age group). This is said to be a response to financial circumstances. The baby boomers have realised that they don’t have enough money to retire, especially those with aged parents and dependent children.

One iniquity, according to Julia Perry (author of Too Young to Go for the NSW Government) is that less-skilled workers, who are also less well paid, are under more pressure to keep working than those who are more highly-skilled (and paid). This less skilled group also has more health problems (SMH 14th May 2009).

The recent economic downturn has had adverse effects upon everyone’s retirement savings, irrespective of skill or income levels.

Self employed and wealthier people have always had more discretion regarding their retirement age.

A lot of recent concern amongst Australian policy makers is about the so-called “baby boomers”. This group constituted the second great wave of growth in the middle classes. This occurred after World War II, mainly in first world economies. They were born between 1945 and 1960 and are about to hit their mid 60”s. This wave will continue for 15 years. Much is made of the “drain” this will impose on the public purse, but it should be remembered that these people have been paying taxes for the past 45 years or so. They also provide a huge potential market (where can I buy some shares in Botox?!)

Peak Performance With Age

Humans are at the peak of their acquisitive powers around 16-18 years. This is a time at which the human brain is most able to acquire new information. After that, life experience becomes as important as the acquisition of new knowledge. Most “careers” are seen as being in their prime during the 4th and 5th decades. There aren’t that many 20 year old CEO’s, political leaders, generals or university professors.

The idea of a retirement age or “the old age pension” hints at diminution of intellectual and well as physical powers with age. This is not always apparent. There is in fact some improvement in integration between the right and left hemispheres with advancing age. This has implications with regard to our analytical ability and creativity.

The link between neurological health and general health is so close as to be indistinguishable. The brain receives 18% of the heart’s output. Oxygen is necessary for brain function. It can only burn glucose with any efficiency. Oxygen is delivered to the brain via the blood vessels. It comes as no surprise that brain function is better when cardiovascular and neurovascular health improve.

The focus on preventative strategies for health over the past four decades has been prompted by the rush of early heart disease deaths in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Luckily, the spin-off is an improvement in the blood vessels supplying the brain.

Recent research looks at how to moderate cognitive decline using the extraordinary abilities of the brain itself to adapt to challenge. This property is called “neuroplasticity”. It has been shown by workers such as Dr M Merzenich of UCSF and Dr Gene Cohen that presenting the brain with novel tasks slows cognitive decline.

Brain exercise or training programs are now readily available on the internet. Other undertakings which improve neurological function include learning a new language, crosswords or sudoku. These activities should be fun to perform, and should take minutes rather than hours.

There are some important “stage of life” psychological processes experienced after middle age. The task is to address the issue or our mortality. As we enter the 50’s our brain does a crucial calculation. Twice times fifty is one hundred and the chances of living that long are very small. We are therefore well into the latter half of our existence.

A non-productive response to this reality might be to bitterly rue the rapid passage of time, and yearn for another chance to “do things better”. Nor does it help to compare ourselves with those whose beauty, energy and health befit someone 30 years younger (as they should).

The Meaning of Life

This phase brings into sharp focus questions about the “meaning” of our existence. It is no great surprise that humans have developed various religious dogmas to help them solve this dilemma. For some, the attraction of life everlasting and the reward for “good works” is compelling and understandably so. What is important to acknowledge is that these psychological gymnastics are normal and human. The truth or otherwise of the matter is up for debate.

These questions will be all the more difficult for those who have developed a sense of self-worth centred on our physical beauty or prowess. A value system which accounts for humanity and kindness might stand us in good stead at this stage. These value systems are not mutually exclusive. We are all a mixture of values and priorities.

8 Ways to Age Gracefully Without Costing you a Fortune!

No matter where one stands on these existential issues, a recurrent theme stresses the importance of the “here and now”. With this in mind there are some guidelines which might be of value.

Do something about your physical health. The jury is back and it says that improved physical health improves cognitive function. Regular physical exercise heads the list. The accent here is on “regular”. Do whatever you enjoy, plan it carefully and ideally do it with someone else and reward yourself at the end. Pay some attention to your nutrition. If you don’t know what a healthy diet is by this stage, you haven’t been reading anything. Consider antioxidants. Good international research indicates that safe consumption of young wines of the Merlot and Pinot Noir varieties has powerful antioxidant effects. Some might prefer a regular intake of vitamin supplements with known antioxidant properties. Have that regular physical check-up. Take advantage of medical technology. Paying attention to mobility and flexibility will simplify and reduce the difficulty of performing just about every simple everyday task.
Challenge your intellect. I have already mentioned this. The key here is to try something new. Consider a language. Consider a musical instrument or some new field of intellectual pursuit.
Wealth of experience which should have resulted from 45 years in the workforce might well be put to some use. One of the ways that this can happen is in a mentoring role. This could be done on a voluntary basis.
It is no accident that we have invented art, music, literature, film and theatre. For most they provide great enjoyment. This involves positive action and a specific organisation.
Consider helping others less fortunate. Altruism (the ability to put the needs of others before your own) is healthy psychologically. This could make productive use of the experience gained over many years. Everyone’s a winner.
I have made passing mention of existential issues. Some involvement in the spiritual side of one’s existence is important for some people. It often helps them deal with the psychological tasks at this stage of life.
The decision to continue in some type of work is often based on practical issues (the physical ability to do a particular kind of work) and the desire to contribute or be stimulated. As mentioned previously, for most people these luxuries do not exist. Work is a necessity rather than a joy. Large numbers of people in their 60’s continue to work, but on a part-time basis. This could well be a reasonable compromise.
The single most important determinant of psychological wellbeing is the quality of our social supports. For that read “Relationships”. It is important to be in connection with your contemporaries. It is here that you can experience “universality” (the sense that a lot of human experiences are common to many). It is also important to remain in connection with the two generations that follow you. They are probably the ones who are most effected by you and your approach to life. They will be more effected by this than is usually apparent at the time.

Jim Taylor is a retired Psychiatrist with 38 years experience in Medicine. He is now an Executive Coach who specializes in change management including careers, relationships, sea changes, and other major life decisions.

If listeners would like a free copy of this report including the 8 Ways to Age Gracefully Without Costing you a Fortune, then go www.workfitanalysis.com.au for your free download.

This article (along with many others) is available on my website – workfitanalysis.com.au.