HOW OLD IS OLD?

 

 HOW OLD IS OLD?

That probably depends on your generation and your current age.  In my awkwardly aging mind, old is ten years older than me.  So it changes every year.  My husband was 18 years older than me so back then, old was 10 years older than him.  It’s all relative.

The U.S. population age 65 and over grew from 2010 to 2020 at fastest rate since 1880 to 1890 and reached 55.8 million, a 38.6% increase in just 10 years.  Many researchers have said those statistics break down as shown below:

• Young-old: (65–74 years old)
• Middle-old: (75–84 years old)
• Old-old: (over 85 years old)
• Oldest-old: (85–99 years old)
• Centenarians: (100+ years old

I’m hoping for Centenarian as long as I have good health.  But middle old will suffice for now.  Social Media has come up with “generation” categories as well.  This household has a Baby Boomer, two Millennials, one Generation Z and one Generation Alpha.  Very diversified!

• Lost Generation – 1883-1900.
• Greatest Generation – 1901-1927.
• Silent Generation – 1928-1945.
• Baby Boomers – 1946-1964.
• Generation X – 1965-1980.
• Millennials – 1981-1996.
• Generation Z – 1997-2012.
• Generation Alpha – 2013-present. 

My husband used to compare his aging self to that of a vintage car.  Lost a hubcap here.  Had to replace a headlamp.  Bought a battery replacement.  Needed new windshield wipers.  And so on.  Just inconveniences that needed tending.  Still better than buying a new plastic disposable car.

So change your mindset about knee replacements, cataract removal, prescription drugs.  Keep that car going.

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. 

It’s the life in your years.”

– Abraham Lincoln