Changing Aging

An interesting new study on China’s “oldest old” has been released by Duke University researcher Dr. Matthew Dupre and is available in the American Journal of Public Health.  (note: you have to have a paid subscription to access it)  He did the research while at the University of North Carolina and is now at Duke University Medical Center. 

Highlights of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study, which included a sample size of more than 13,000 people include:

- Fewer than 1 percent of of Chinese 80 and older are living in nursing homes.

- Most are free of chronic disease and not disabled or cognitively impaired.

- For urban men and women, living in larger households was associated with longevity, suggesting that residing with one’s children, or grandchildren, might extend lifespan.

- Most study participants said they “looked at the bright side.”

- Rural women - likely the most disadvantaged group in China - showed the greatest longevity benefit from being optimistic.  Most people in the survey have a positive outlook.

- Most also eat veggies, and a lot of them are poor, have little education and drink and smoke, challenging some of the advice we get in regard to living a long time.

I dig these videos by Aging Services of California, the association that represents California’s non-profit aging services companies. They all come under the theme: Age is Just a Number.. They’re right. This is the kind of positioning and creativity that gets people excited about aging. It underscores that aging is all about living . . . even at the end of life.

You have to have a certain degree of confidence to wear a Speedo (this blogger doesn’t have it).  But we have customers, such as the one above, who do.

We are fortunate to serve a lot of people who have found a great deal of contentment in their life, people who are comfortable “in their skin.”  In talking with them you’ll find authenticity, straightforwardness and happiness. 

A new study by the University of Chicago confirms what many in our profession know already . . . many Americans grow happier as they grow older.  Interestingly, the next generation of seniors - the baby boomers - don’t score so high in the happiness study.  Any thoughts as to why that’s the case?

Have you seen any plays where the leading actor or actress is over 70?  I can’t think of any.

The Mixed Blood Theater in Minneapolis is changing that.

Minneapolis Star Tribune entertainment writer Graydon Royce calls Mixed Blood’s ”Exit Strategy” a theatrical Ocean’s 11 . . . a classic risk/reward scheme as a means out of a dump (In this case, the dump is the type of senior housing that makes us cringe.)

The mean age of the three actors is just shy of 76.  Exit Strategy producer and writer Bill Semans, 71, wrote and directed “Herman USA,” a film from a few years ago about a small Minnesota town full of bachelors who advertised their availability and drew women from 37 states and four nations.  I love  his quote in Graydon’s story:

“I hope this is the best thing I’ve ever done.  And if it’s not, I’ll keep trying.”