Aging Begins at 30

Live Your Life Without the Fear of Death

Was Bismarck wrong? He asked the average age at death of civil servants? The answer was 55. So he decided to pay pensions at 65! That's the origin of "old begins at 65." If everyone worked until 70, the balance of dependent children and oldsters to working adults would match. But the average United Automobile Worker retires at 46. Is the labor heavy enough that retirement is necessary, or is this a retreat from reality? Companies now are prohibited from setting a retirement age. Are women programmed to live longer or does their lifestyle keep them active longer?

What caused this life lengthening? First, the drugs and so many modern medical miracles. The control of high blood pressure comes to mind, then bypass operations, then carotid vessel operations and aspirin to prevent stroke. Artificial hips and knees prevent bedridden invalidism.

Has stress (coping with change) lessened? An investigator listed and rated stressful happenings. Death of a spouse or divorce is the worst. A mortgage of more than $10,000 or trouble with in-laws is intermediate. Christmas stress and minor brushes with the law are scored low. He gives a score of 100 for death of a spouse and 11 for minor law violations. Added up, they predict illness. Under 200 a moderate risk, less than 300 a medium risk and more than 300 points in one year a severe risk of physical or psychological illness. Some cope, others don't.

How can we avoid being thrown away? I have kept my license to practice medicine and enjoy assisting at the free clinic. My interest in research is kept alive by service on the Institutional Review Board that surveys human volunteer research for safety. I love to continue to learn by reading about two books a week and learning from travel. My weekly column writing as an amateur journalist keeps me in touch with new medicine. I am struggling with the computer. I think most people can keep active at the edges of their profession or by developing a strong hobby.

To live in fear of dying is wasteful living. Survey the obituaries. On two recent days, the deaths in the local paper were 101, 82, 78, 92 and next day 84, 82 and 27, but he was an automobile casualty.

If you add up retirement, interest on your savings, social security and can find a part-time job, you might be able to travel in the three to six months you are not working. You now can earn on a pension. Are many of the old now "slightly" wealthy instead of "slightly poor"? Unfortunately, many single women are poor. Working elderly are being paid more because they are worth more. They are diplomatic, steady workers who can spot problems and correct them before they blow up. On average, 19 percent of new businesses survive, but 70 percent of those started by people over 55 survive, according to the Economist! Go to it!

Section Top | Title Page

See related Patient Topics Preventing Disease and Staying Healthy, Seniors' Health, Seniors' Health--General or Wellness and Lifestyle.

See related Provider Topics Preventing Disease and Staying Healthy, Seniors' Health, Seniors' Health--General or Wellness and Lifestyle.

All contents copyright © 1992-2004 the Author(s) and The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.

http://www.vh.org/adult/patient/internalmedicine/aba30/2001/fearofdeath.html