The Old Man of Today and Tomorrow
by Some people say that old age is merely a state of mind. That’s great, but why do we still associate old guys with grumbles, aches, and pains. Is this really how it is, and what can we expect of the “new” old man?
Still, contrary to the idea that old men complain endlessly about their health, most actually rate their health as good or excellent. What makes this impressive is the fact that most old guys are actually diagnosed with at least one chronic illness. The physical health of the old man is strongly affected by their health behavior when they were younger. The promotion of healthy lifestyles in older men is another largely neglected area of research. Some local initiatives are helping to remedy the situation but we really need a broader understanding of the older man’s lifestyle and increased medical recognition of nutritional needs.
Stereotypes Live On
Some men firmly believe and live by the old man stereotype. At the age of 65 they believe they should stop working, learning and living. They sit, watch TV and wait for time to pass and their time to come. Perhaps what they don’t realise is they could be doing this for 20 years! There are no rules about rigid thinking, wearing cardigans and putting on tartan slippers. A popular misconception is that men can’t adapt because they are set in their ways and get depressed the older they get. There is good evidence that this is not the case; in fact depression rates in the old man can be half those of women. Also, whilst the old-old man probably reflects the expectations of a society and age now passing, the next generation have no excuses not to get involved in life.
Growing Old Disgracefully
There is an old maxim that states we are what we do. If this is the case it means if we do nothing, we are nothing. What a grim thought. Successful approaches to ageing starts with retirement planning. This helps men to reorientate expectations and life goals. Poor health takes its toll and it can lead to a downward spiral but aches and pains can be factored in to planning and plans can be adapted to circumstances. Successful ageing is a combination of factors. It can involving going against the grain of other people’s expectations. It can involve getting other people to help you achieve new goals. we’re all heading towards becoming an old man, so its never too early to map out what you might like to see and do in what could be nearly a third of your life span.
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