The Geezer Boom

But, I can only find out by trying. And, if it turns out I haven't courage enough, we'll soon know it. ~ "The Best Years of Our Lives"

Wow! I was amazed to see that I haven’t blogged since February 15!! What can I say? My life went into overdrive around the second week of March, and it hasn’t let up for one minute since. And, I guess, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have participated in a paranormal investigation, tried four new restaurants, done volunteer work, read three books, and maintained my workout schedule, while working and taking care of normal daily chores, not to mention having to play catch up on yard work after a mild winter and early spring. I am only slightly disappointed that I haven’t lived up to the New Year’s resolution of posting to my blog at least once a month, because the good news is living up to the other resolutions has be the primary reason for failure to keep this one. How are you doing on yours? I’d love to hear about your successes!

As I was doing some reading regarding Baby Boomers aging, I was astonished to find an article in The Gerontologist, titled “Not Your Mother’s Old Age,” that cited 39 different manuscripts on the subject. A community newspaper in Seattle reported about a summit conducted at South Seattle Community College during which boomers were able to voice what they wanted and needed from the community as they age. There can be little doubt that our generation is establishing brand new perceptions on the so-called golden years. An article in InfoWorld stated: I would love to know how you are making the most of the best years of your life.

“The aging of the baby boomer generation will spur technological innovation and change the entire health-care system,” age researcher Joseph Coughlin said Friday, speaking at a panel discussion on health care and technology sponsored by the New England Business and Technology Association.

Get ready world. You are entering the era of The Geezer Boom.

As I recently told a friend of mine who, in true baby boomer form has decided to learn how to pilot a plane, we make growing old look good. And, I personally think the biggest disparity from past generations is with baby boomer women. Martha Nelson, 65-year-old author of Black Chokeberry, a novel about three disparate older women coming together to share a home, said,

"We’re more worldly, stronger, financially savvy and healthier than our ancestors – through no fault of their own – and we know what we want.”

Yes, we certainly do. Have you recently noticed more ads on TV featuring older women with realistic body measurements? That’s because marketers and advertisers know 80% of baby boomer women control 80% of the wealth in the United States. 

The most important thing, however, is that we realize that, just as our demographic has impacted huge societal change through every stage of our lives, what we do as “geezers” will determine the process of aging for our children and grandchildren. We need to be responsible, yet innovative. As a demographic, we wield enormous power. But, with power, in any capacity, comes responsibility. Our descendants will live longer than we do. We need to make sure their “golden years” are just as exciting and fulfilling as we will inevitably make ours. We need to set the standard for aging. Let me know what you’re doing to set the standard for making growing older look good.

Second Childhood

What we do know is that... another awakening took place; that the human spirit is more powerful than any drug and THAT is what needs to be nourished: with work, play, friendship, family. THESE are the things that matter. This is what we'd forgotten — the simplest things. ~from the movie "Awakenings"

So often time it happens, we all live our life in chains, and we never even know we have the key. ~The Eagles, "Already Gone"


As I mentioned in my previous post, my primary objective in writing this blog has been to do something toward setting a new standard on attitudes about aging. I have some friends who spend a lot of time dwelling on the past, moaning about lost youth, remembering the so-called better times when all was new and exciting. Or, worse, there are those who desperately fight the inevitability of growing older, torturing their bodies with plastic surgery and chemical supplements to convince themselves and the world they are just as virile, just as agile, just as young as they want to be... which is really just silly. How can the past be better than the here and now or, more significantly, the future? Why is aging something we’re all supposed to fight off? I think it’s time for us to pull out that revolutionary spirit our generation is so famous for and create the social norm of deliberate aging. George Bernard Shaw said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.”

Grab a pen and paper, put yourself in a positive frame of mind and deliberately think about some of the nice perks you’re experiencing since turning 50. For me, there are quite a few, so I'll get this ball rolling…

First and foremost — and this underscores everything that follows — is an attitude shift with regard to pursuing what makes me happy rather than adopting the happiness formula of others. When all of us are young, peer pressure is so pervasive in our lives that acceptance  becomes one of the most important aspects of existence. I spent an obscene amount of time worrying about whether or not people liked me (I was convinced they didn’t), wanting to be one of the cool kids (I most definitely was not) and trying to stand out by copying exactly what my friends were doing, wearing, saying. Are there any heads nodding in agreement on this sentiment? Around the age of 50, I seemed to develop an attitude shift of, “Sorry you don’t like me, but have a nice life anyway!” And, the end result was amazing confidence in myself, total acceptance of my limitations and unmitigated pride in those little quirks that make me unique.

I’ve noticed, also, that people have become much more tolerant of my straight-forward way of communicating. I haven’t figured out why frank expression is permitted from the moment we begin to speak, even admired as the truth of the innocent, until about the age of 6, when it suddenly becomes anti-social and remains so for the biggest portion of our adult lives. Then, just as suddenly, around the age of 60, it’s OK again. Jump in with any theories on this. Not that it matters. There are few things that are a bigger irritant to me than trying to prove superior intelligence with diarrhea of the mouth, using 50 words to express what could be just as easily understood with 10.

Another plus is that nerdy knowledge, like history (which I love, but found to be such a conversation dud 30 years ago), is now cool. Start spouting off some historical facts to someone in their 20s and they are blown away… seriously. I once corrected someone on the quote attributed to Marie Antoinette, “Let them eat cake,” which she didn’t say, and loved it when the person said, “I didn’t know that,” in a way that suggested I just had to be an incredibly smart person. Or, maybe my head swelled so quickly that I was oblivious to the inference that I was so old I probably had first-hand knowledge. Doesn’t matter. I’ll shamelessly take any credit for intelligence, regardless of intent.

What’s even more recognizable by me is how my own perception of what I consider cool, interesting and fun has changed. For example, I think feeding and watching birds is one of the coolest things in the world to do. There, I said it… think what you like. Truth be told, I could have admitted this years ago. I have no clue why enjoyment in feeding, observing and learning to identify birds is taboo before the age of 50. But, again, it doesn’t matter. I live in the city, but in the spring and summer, I can open up my house and hear birds singing like I’m living in the middle of a wooded park.

Sometimes, I wonder if it’s the chicken and egg paradox, as in my newly found interest in learning about wines. Recently, I participated in a wine tasting during which a European gentleman introduced the wines, describing the processes and providing history for each winery represented. It was extremely informative. And, there’s just something about a man with a charming French accent talking about wines that makes you think, “This man is a FREAKING WINE GENIUS!” Of course, on the subject of wines, it doesn’t take a whole lot to dumb me down. While I’m loving the learning process as it unfolds, I wonder sometimes if this is a latent interest that was suppressed because there was nothing in my life before that would encourage pursuit, or is it the maturity of my years that has prompted the enjoyment of both the taste and the knowledge? Doesn’t matter. I don’t always drink wine with my meal, but when I do, at least I know what I’m doing… kind of.

Which brings me to a personal revelation with regard to my musical tastes… in particular, jazz. I’ve come to realize I’ve always liked it. Steely Dan; Earth, Wind and Fire; Chicago; Blood, Sweat and Tears; Santana; Steve Wonder… all artists I loved in my youth — and still do — and all have musical styles steeped in jazz. But, I never would have acknowledged that fact 30 years ago when I was actually bobbing my head to “Shining Star” or “You Haven’t Done Nothing.” I listened to rock and roll. My parents listened to jazz. Now that I’ve embraced this realization, I've learned so much about the genre. Holy cow! The musicality, the talent, the expertise… it’s like finding the Holy Grail of music. But,  that’s a future discussion.

Summing up, the best thing about growing older is that the perspective on life becomes more realistic. I’ve lived through some heartbreakingly sad times that literally brought me to my knees and emerged stronger. I’ve loved and lost, and the sun still came up every day. I’ve been desperately poor, but survived and prospered. I’ve learned how insignificant, yet precious, we all are. There are some things I wish I had done differently, but I don’t know anyone with whom I would be willing to trade lives, even myself as a 20-year-old. And, as far as I’m concerned, the best is yet to come!

All in all, growing old is an awakening, the realization that work, play, friendship, family… these are the things that matter. Everything else, including regret and fear of aging, is chaff to be winnowed away and forgotten. It’s all in perception, and I plan to deliberately approach each new tomorrow with gratitude, wonder and excitement. How about you? You wanna play? Or, grow old?

Let's Get Physical

Remember when MTV actually was music television? And, soft pop recording artist Olivia Newton John had her first, and only, No. 1 American hit with the song “Physical?” It was one of those situations of a domino effect, wherein the shock of uber virginal Sandy from “Grease” sang the lyrics, “There’s nothing left to talk about unless its horizontally,” causing a collective jaw drop. Add to that the video of Olivia rubbing up against some hard bodies on the MTV video, in a workout costume that covered her from neck to ankle and revealed everything, as well as the ban on radio play in the Bible Belt… well, that’s the perfect recipe for guaranteed platinum, baby! Suddenly, leotards, leg warmers and forehead sweatbands were haute couture.

Prior to this, women wouldn’t be caught dead in a sweaty, smelly gym. Eewwww! Helloooo, Jane Fonda… show us how to feel that burn! Fitness clubs could hear the cha-ching loud and clear and, next thing you know, gyms have female-friendly weights, Jazzercise^® and juice bars. Voila! Birth of a phenomenom.

But, that was then, this is now. Just how much exercise are you getting nowadays?

Before we evaluate the reasons/excuses you might have for not maintaining an ongoing fitness routine, let’s take a look at why it is so important for people over the age of 50 to commit to some form of regular exercise.

·    Loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) increases as we age. After 50, muscle mass decreases one to two percent per year. Muscle keeps us strong, it burns calories and helps us maintain our weight, and it contributes to balance and bone strength. Without it, we can lose our independence and our mobility.

·    Endurance decreases as we age. In one Tufts study (Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment), the participants were frail nursing-home residents whose ages ranged from 72 to 98. After just ten weeks, strength-training improved their muscle strength, ability to climb stairs and walking speed.

·    Balance decreases as we age and, importantly, falling is a major problem as a result. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of every three Americans over the age of 65 falls each year. And, among individuals aged 65-84, falls account for 87 percent of all fractures and are the second leading cause of spinal cord and brain injury. The good news is that physical activity can improve balance and reduce the risk of falling.

·    Bones tend to decrease in density as we age, and for some individuals, it can lead to osteoporosis, resulting in an increased risk of fracture. And, it’s not just a woman’s disease. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately two million men past the page of 50 already have osteoporosis and men in that age group are more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than they are to get prostate cancer. Bone is like any other living tissue, it responds to exercise by becoming stronger.

·    Many aging adults are susceptible to osteoarthritis (the type of arthritis that affects the bone by wearing down the cushion that pads the space between bones). The Arthritis Foundation website lists many studies confirming that exercise can improve function for people with arthritis. Arthritis Today magazine stated unequivocally that people with arthritis must use their bodies or lose their independence.

·    The Mayo Clinic website states risk of high blood pressure (hypertension — the most important risk factor for stroke) increases with age, and is the number one cause of stroke. But, getting some exercise can make a big difference. And, if your blood pressure is already high, exercise can help you control it.

Any questions so far?

Now, let’s look at what it takes to get you on an exercise regimen. Trainers agree unanimously that finding the workout environment that meets individual need is crucial to a successful long-term commitment.

Perhaps you joined a fitness center in the past in your effort to get healthy. How's that working for you? If it's not, did you drop out because of cost or convenience? Or, maybe you just didn’t like the idea of having a audience, especially if you were working out next to a guy who looked like he was 22 years old and could compete in a Mr. Universe contest. Now, you can lose those inhibitions. Just as gyms changed to accommodate a growing population of female clientele, gyms are evolving once more, this time to be senior friendly. “For the first time, we have a cohort of people who are just getting ready to retire and have an expectation of being physically active,” said Wojtek J. Chodzko-Zajko, an exercise scientist and expert in fitness at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Translation, there's a growing number of people your age, and very likely with your body style, hitting the gym. In fact, the challenge will most likely now be getting outdone by someone who is probably 10 years your senior and, yes, I'm speaking from experience.

Many people feel the best way to get in shape is to join a gym. There’s an element of accountability if you work with a trainer and weather is not a factor. There’s also the social aspect of a group, particularly if you choose to buddy up with someone to spot you and cheer your progress. Be sure to choose a location as close to home as possible.

Gyms are not necessarily the answer for everyone. While some baby boomers are able to jog regularly, and love it, it’s important to consider the impact on joints. But, if you love the outdoors and fresh air and have access to a jogging trail, power walking is always an alternative. There is great research about how outdoor exercise can be very calming for the body, as well as invigorating. There’s also the added benefit of uneven terrain, which kicks up the intensity a bit in intervals, perfect for increasing stamina.

DVDs and home equipment are great for keeping you on track when time constraints or weather restricts your ability to get out. While they may not offer optimal results, anything that moves you away from couch potato status is a benefit!

Finally, if you do the same thing all the time, you’ll quickly get bored, your body will plateau and you’ll bail on working out altogether. It doesn't have to be all about treadmills, exercise bikes and free weights. A friend of mine recently discovered the joy — yes, I said JOY! — of learning ballroom dancing.  So mix it up!

There are four main types of exercise and seniors need some of each:

·    Endurance activities, such as walking, swimming or riding a bike build "staying power" and improve the health of the heart and circulatory system.

·    Strengthening exercises, which build muscle tissue and reduce age-related muscle loss.

·    Stretching exercises to keep the body limber and flexible.

·    Balance exercises to reduce the chances of a fall

There is a fountain of youth. Millions have discovered it. The secret to feeling better and living independently longer is staying active. Finding a program that works for you and sticking with it will pay big dividends. Check out the following websites for more information. And, if you’re having difficulty making a decision on a fitness center, check out your local YMCA. It’s inexpensive, has a great social atmosphere and serves the whole community.

Bottom line… unless you’re as rich as Daddy Warbucks and can afford Nursing Home Club Med, I have two words for you… Jack LaLanne, who was 96 when he died. He once said, “Exercise is king, nutrition is queen. With both, you have a kingdom.”

And, who doesn’t want their own kingdom?

http://www.medicinenet.com/senior_exercise/article.htm

http://seniorliving.about.com/od/exercisefitnes1/a/4seniorexercise.htm

http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/activity.htm

http://www.ymca.net/

The Joy of Cooking is Not Just a Book

When I take one of my home-cooked dishes to work to share with my colleagues, I almost always hear someone say, “I wish I had time to cook.” That remark always takes me by surprise. My first flash-thought is, “Umm, what do you eat?” And, then it hits me. Have you ever noticed how many restaurants there are nowadays? In a three-mile radius of my home, I can name 25 without even giving it much thought. TWENTY-FIVE! And, the sad new is, three-quarters of them are fast food, such as McDonald’s, KFC, Little Caesar’s. My next thought is always, why would a person not make time to lovingly prepare a beautiful and healthy meal, enjoying the aromas of cooking and the peace of home; but, choose instead a meal prepared by a total stranger with unknown ingredients, to eat in a noisy restaurant with the prerequisite unhappy child crying somewhere? I totally get that working folks have to deal with a stricter schedule, but do the math. Are those few minutes you save by using the drive-through at KFC worth the risk of losing out on long-term quality, independent life in your later years?

It’s an obvious fact. Everywhere we look there are signs that we Americans are killing ourselves, not to mention guaranteeing obesity and shorter life spans for our children, with our fast-food, damn the calories, full fat ahead eating preferences. Don’t get me wrong… I enjoy eating out. Trying new restaurants is one of my favorite pastimes. And, I love a really good hamburger, but what I make at home makes a Big Mac look like road kill. Plus, I get to choose the soundtrack. 

Maybe it’s just me, but in the time it takes to decide where to eat, drive to the restaurant, wait for seating, peruse the menu, wait for the waiter to fulfill the order, eat, pay the check and drive home, I can cook the food I want to eat, in my jammies, and I don’t even have to comb my hair. I think if everyone were to be brutally honest, it really comes down to the planning and the — dum, dum, DUMMMMM — clean-up. Puh-leeze! Can you say dishwasher? Garbage disposal? C’mon, you know who you are.

So, let’s break it down. Here are some cold hard facts about health issues for older folks:

·     Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. The average age for heart attack in men is 66; in women, 70.

·     Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S., and the American Cancer Society says poor diet is accountable for 35 percent of the cases.

·     Almost 27 percent of people over the age of 65 in the U.S. have diabetes, which is the leading cause of kidney disease. The risk of death doubles for people with diabetes compared to the same age group without diabetes and was the underlying cause listed on 15 percent of death certificates issued in 2010.

·    The Alzheimer’s Association reports that, of Americans aged 65 and older, one in eight has Alzheimer’s, which is the 5^th leading cause of death for that age group.

The Centers for Disease Control has reported that almost all heart disease and adult-onset diabetes is preventable. And, while Alzheimer’s cannot be prevented, its onset can be delayed. And, guess what, folks… a healthy diet is listed as either the number one or number two most effective prevention in each of these late-life diseases. For seniors, the benefits of healthy eating include increased mental acuteness, resistance to illness and disease, higher energy levels, faster recuperation times and better management of chronic health problems. As we age, eating well can also be the key to a positive outlook and staying emotionally balanced. I think we can all agree, there’s not much point in living longer if the quality of life is impaired by a serious disease state. But, for the generation who swore to never get old, it appears to be a no-brainer. You are what you eat. Fill your body with junk, and that's exactly what it becomes... a piece of junk.

Of course, I love to cook and realize this is all a matter of perspective. So, for those of you who have seen too many episodes of Hell's Kitchen, let me see if I can help banish your fears. Here are a few of my Culinary 101 hints:

·    Research on the Internet. Google low calorie recipes. You will be blown away by how many there are in cyberspace.

·   Start with casseroles. They’re easy, practically fool-proof and don’t require a lot of clean-up.

·   Invest in a crock pot. You can cook almost anything in it, even chocolate cake, and it's really hard to burn or overcook.

·    Buy a steamer. It’s a two-fer… a great sauce pot for cooking soups or pasta; add the insert and steam any fresh veggies you want in about 10 minutes. Talk about fast food! It provides healthy cooking with easy clean-up.

·    Measuring cups and spoons are necessary, but don’t go all OCD on getting the measurements exactly right. It’s not brain surgery.

·    A couple of good sharp knives are a must. Starting out, I recommend a chef’s knife and a paring knife.

·    Improvisation is the basis of culinary genius, so experiment!!

·    Relax, pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy getting to know your inner child… Julia Child, that is!

Now, “Get out in that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans."

Upon further reflection...

Old age ain't no place for sissies.  ~Bette Davis

As I was sweating on the treadmill this morning, agonizing over having the metabolism of a walrus and wishing I had eschewed the doctrine of The Beatles and been more a fan of Jack LaLanne, I had the thought that there are two irrefutable truths in our lives on this earth… we either die young or grow old. Assuming the majority of people choose growing old over dying young, you would think that, during our younger years, we would work a little harder at protecting the one, irreplaceable vessel we are given. Instead, most of us reach the point of now or never... either/or… do or die… usually predicted from the mouth of a doctor who is half our age. That's when the oh, so ugly truth of the many, many lies we have fostered from our youth come to light. The thought process is something along the lines of, "What? I'm mortal? Wait, I wasn't supposed to get past 30, much less make it to 60. What the hell happened?" That's the moment you realize your parents lived very long lives, and you start cursing your gene pool. 

So, we are faced with a dilemma. Do we run the risk of gradual decrepitude with the possibility of ending our days in a nursing home with drool coming out of the left side of our mouths? Or, do we  suck it up and start paying the debt of the countless Big Macs with fries, the mindset that grain and hops are vegetables, even in a fermented liquid state, and cruising the malls constituted exercise? 

Simple fact: There is no such thing as too late. That's why they invented death.

Satchel Paige, who was the oldest rookie to play Major League Baseball and played his last professional game at the age of 60, wrote a book, titled "Maybe I'll Pitch Forever," and in it asked a very profound question: How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were? Somedays, I'm startled by a wrinkled face that greets me in the mirror and belies how I feel. Other days, I feel every minute of my 59 years. I know which feeling I prefer. Time to suck it up.

So, I will sweat it out on the treadmill, feel the soreness of the day-after weight training, push myself in aerobics class, feel the burn of yoga. It's not about living longer. It's about leaving this world with a mind and body as healthy as I can make it between now and then and, occasionally, wishing I had known just how much life was like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes.