The Older I Get, The Younger I Feel

Here is a wonderful post by Marian Banker which was post June 5, 2013 by Marian Banker

If you were asked how old you feel, what would be your answer? Several studies have shown that as age increases, the tendency is to feel younger than our years.

We know that life expectancy has increased dramatically in the last 50 years. This social and demographic phenomenon now taking place within our generation is the topic of quite a few studies. How old we feel seems to have a strong bearing on how we live our platinum years.

Pew Research Center Social & Demographic Trends Surveyasked 2,696 Americans from 18 to 85+ a few questions in a 20 minute interview.  The findings seem to match up with other, older such surveys.  How do you think you would respond to these questions?

When does old age begin?

18-29 ages = “60”

30 – 65 ages = “70”

65+ ages = “74”

The average of all Pew participants… 68!

How old do you feel?

50% of those 18 – 29 say they feel their age; the other 50% are split evenly between feeling older and feeling younger than their age.

60% of those 65 and over say they feel younger; 32% of this age group feels their age; and only 3% feel older.

More specifically, 50-65 years old feel 10 years younger; the majority of 65- 74 aged folks feel up to 20 years younger!

How does the quality of life figure in?

45% of those over 75 say their life was “better than expected!”

Good news: younger and middle age participants have high expectations of encountering “old age symptoms” (forgetfulness, serious illness, sexual inactivity, sadness/depression, loneliness, inability to drive, etc. ) at the beginning of “old age”, and this just isn’t a fact for many of us at this age.

Even when these symptoms do become an issue, most of us make peace with the situation. This is often helped along by spending time with family.  Religion or spirituality also seems a factor in helping keep our positive outlook.

What age would you like to live to?

Average Pew participant answer is 89!

Are older adults happy?

Not any more or less so than anyone else.  It seems things like actively maintaining good health, good friends and family, and financial security don’t change much as we get older.

In the Successful Aging Evaluation study, optimism and resilience seemed to have the most lasting effect on folks who consider themselves to be “aging successfully”; even when they had physical liabilities or limitations.

So, what we have known and continue to prove is that feeling young is more about our state of mind and heart than the state of our body, and even our health.

If you are interested in some of the other surveys check out:

The Max Planck Institute touts “70 year olds feel 13 years younger”. 

A study by Dr. Jacqui Smith (detailed in the NY Times) touts, “Seventy is the new 57.”

Results of the Successful Aging Evaluation (SAGE) study deduces: “It was clear to us that, even in the midst of physical or cognitive decline, individuals in our study reported feeling that their well-being had improved with age.”