A question to think about

What is old age? Or - when does old age start?

I have taught life span development many times over the decades and it's a question that came up [and comes] up in college classes and now it's popping up among other populations - even among those who might be considered to be "in" their old age.

I have heard many 20-somethings talk about "those poor senior citizens" who collect social security. The "seniors" are often described as infirm, unable to work and otherwise to be pitied. These same 20-somethings most likely come into contact with those over 65 - who are still working, still active and hardly pitiable...but the 20-somethings do not see those over-65ers as being over 65.

So when are you old? Is it an age determination? or is it something else?

When I was a "young kid" a few years removed from graduate school - many of the local psychology professors were beginning to think and write about aging but few had really started studying it. One such psychologist jokingly said that only when we all got older would psychologists start really understanding older ages. I think she was right.

Studying older and aging populations is relatively new...and defining old age keeps changing...

Me? I hate the term "old age." It has no real meaning. We do not speak of childhood as "new age" or junior - so why label some as old age or senior? I much prefer "old fart" - it stops people in their tracks - annoys some and makes many laugh... I ask for my old fart discount when I go to a particualar store on what I call old fart Wednesdays - when we old farts get a 10% discount.

Ouch

I really have stopped writing to this blog - haven't I?

Spending too much time writing on other projects - but as a comment was left by a reader - figured I'd better get back to adding new content...

Since posting the article about food based vitamins v. synthetic ones, the company I am associated with came out with an even better food-based vitamin than the one I had been taking. I switched over to it as soon as it was available. And no you can't buy it in the stores - you have to buy it from people like me and my friends...I have many in my neighborhood taking this vitamin and other supplements - now we have what we have dubbed: " the Bridgeton vitamin club" and you can join us even if you don't live near me...all you need is a computer - and if you are reading this - you got one of those : - )

The vitamins were developed as most people don’t get the whole-food nutrition they need to maintain optimal health and these
were formulated based upon the fact that the most effective nutrition for human beings comes from plants. This revolutionary new supplement contains:

* A natural source vitamin complex
* Plant-sourced minerals
* Standardized phytochemicals

Just one daily serving of this vitamin, whihc is four caplets, can provide your body with the plant-sourced nutrients it needs to maintain optimal health.

If you'd like more information, I can be reached at 503-477-5550