When Does Old Age Begin?

old age

I know that American culture would say that I am old. I turned 72 today. When I think about my chronological age, it seems so unreal. 73 was how old my grandmother was when she died. I am so far away from that that it is incomprehensible that I am considered old.

I work, go to school, go to the gym, garden, bike ride, want to learn how to dance better than I do, and play tennis as well as occasionally walk dogs for other people.I work as a Sign Painter, and have been painting all of my life. As a Sign Painter I climb ladders and haven't noticed any difficulty in carrying ladders or climbing up on them. . I am not overweight. Have absolutely nothing wrong with me physically, and don't intend to ever get sick. I don't know what is going to kill me but it sure a'int gonna be something related to the typical American diet. I don't eat meat because I hate the way the animals are treated and I don't like the fact that cattle are supposed to eat grass and not corn that turns into sugar in their body and subsequently in the person who consumes it. I eat lots of vegetables and fruit, a little bit of fish, and no more chicken. I used to eat chicken until I found out that they fatten up the chickens so much that they can't walk on their own two legs.

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I think one of the main reasons that I feel so young is because I never had children. Maybe I just refused to grow old because I refused to grow up. Maybe I'll just get hit by a truck. Hopefully I won't feel it.

Ellen Korak of CA @ Jul 10, 2009 15:29:11 PM

Old is in the mind of self and others

When I was 41, I pulled out in front of a college kid. She yelled at me "Get out of the way, you Old Geezer". Shock, boy was that shock. I had no gray hair. I then learned it is a tough world. When I was 22 through age 35, I was carded for buying liquor.

Today, I have gray hair, about 25 pounds over my optimum weight and get up in the morning stiff. I think I am aging but still look at girls in bikini's. Still make my heart patter but not much I could do about what I think about.

The financial mess has affected our family, not so much a normal recession or correction, but the Graft, Greed, and Fraud that has taken place with the help of our elected officials. The banks and Wall Street have influenced the judgement of our elected officials with money. Money that our incumbent elected officials use, about 7 million dollars to get re-elected against good challengers that are lucky to raise $250 thousand dollars. And those who are benefiting from this huge re-election war chest will not vote for election reform to make the playing field level.

This happened in our lifetime, since the early 80's, when millions of dollars was poured into an aging US Senator so he could fight a challenger on TV and he got re-elected.

The Fraud, the laws passed in favor of Financial Institutions from Banks, to Credit Card Companies, and Wall Street is killing this country and my ability to retire.

Next year I will reach full retirement age, and still working.

I have no confidence in our government. The cost of health care is killing us. All because of the money being poured into our governemnt and media, like Rush Limbaugh who is paid $38 million a year, for three hours a day, spouting the benefits of having Banks, Corporations, and Healthcare for Profit to his listeners distorting the realities of what is going on in our country.

We better take back this country and do it soon. Have you noticed that the bonuses of Goldman Sach's ($700,000 per employee) has faded from view in the media?

When it comes to old age, I will probably die, on the job thanks to our Government.

Mike of UT @ Jul 09, 2009 07:01:54 AM

Old Age?

Everything mentioned were just examples of states of being.

I think chronological is the way to go.

On average an American lives about 75 years.

We always talk about "the young", "middle age", and "old folks".

Therefore if you are young you should be at birth up to 25 years old.

Middle age: 25 to 50 years old, and

Old Age: 50+ years.

The rest is just how you feel and that can change from moment to moment.

Have a beautiful day at any age.

Kegler299 of TN @ Jul 08, 2009 18:11:24 PM

Old Age

I am 70, look 55, and feel like 45. I have great health, stamina and look great, play golf, run on the treadmill, etc. Old age is more a state of being than chronology. You are old when you need someone to take care of your needs, whatever the number of years you've attained.

Carol of NJ @ Jul 08, 2009 17:48:16 PM

Age is just a number...

...and getting old is a lot better than the alternative. I think it was Groucho Marx that said, "Being old is something you get if you are lucky."

Americans worship at the altar of youth unfortunately, bowing down to the icons of Barbie and Ken. At 61 I am finding that I have more to give now than ever, yet find that employers and other swim in the polluting waters of ageism. Often the very people who would benefit from being mentored by someone older don't appreciate what they missed until they're older and (hopefully) wiser.

We need a real shift in attitudes about getting older, being older and working with people who are older. Because the Third Wave coming is a real tsunami!

'CareerKen' of MI @ Jul 08, 2009 14:43:30 PM

Old Age is Defined by OTHERS Not US...

Age (unfortunately) is defined by how OTHERS perceive us. We can think & feel what we want ala wishful thinking. If you have & wrinkles/lines regardless of health issues or having grandchildren - you are old, Case Closed. gray hair does not necessarily mean one is OLD... The world is today is FULL of Botox & Silicone injections to "fix" old age as OTHERS perceive it so that we can continue to work, compete & thrive in the work force.

Ria Gant of LA @ Jul 08, 2009 13:56:05 PM