Do you feel like getting older is just a time of decline? It’s hard not to think so with the ads for anti-aging creams, media portrayals of older adults as frail or clueless. And how often are we told our life’s ambition should be to stay “forever young,” because otherwise you’ll just be … old!
But a recent study showed that aging doesn’t mean decline. People 65 and older can get better with age.
A research study led by Dr. Becca Levy at Yale University analyzed over a decade of data from 11,000 older Americans and found that nearly half of the participants aged 65 and older improved either physically, or cognitively, or both.
One reason this may seem surprising is that much of today’s research on older adults focuses on average outcomes rather than individual outcomes, or the research looks only for decline rather than the possibility of improvement.
What’s not surprising is that her research found that people with positive beliefs about aging were more likely to improve. One cause is the snowball effect. Feeling positive about aging encourages more movement, social engagement, and meaningful activities, which in turn improves your beliefs about aging, which then encourages more movement, social engagement … Well, you get the idea.
As we age, our judgment improves, we become more emotionally intelligent, and we are aware of life’s ups and downs. We have learned that there are pros and cons to every phase of life which include both opportunities and challenges.
Today, we are redefining what aging means, demonstrating the possibility of improvement. So, let’s take time to feel good about ourselves, have fun with friends, and enjoy being silly — even if you get strange looks from your grandchildren!
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Let me close with another joke. I promise this will be my last — at least for a week. It plays on aging stereotypes and the cleverness of older adults.
An older woman is standing at the corner, looking around as if she has misplaced something important.
A police officer pulls up and says, “Ma’am, do you need assistance?”
She replies, “Yes, officer… I can’t figure out how to get home.”
Understanding how forgetful seniors are, he kindly offers her a ride.
A few minutes later, they pull into her driveway.
Her husband rushes out and asks, “What happened? Were you lost?”
She shakes her head and says, “Honestly? I just didn’t feel like walking — but ‘I’m tired’ doesn’t get you a police escort.”
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Brain Tease: Word ladders are simple, clever word puzzles where each step must be a real word, and you can change only one letter at a time.
An example: HAT to CAP.Answer: HAT - HUT - CUT - CUP – CAP
Try these three.
1.) CAT - ? - ? -DOG.
2.) COLD - ? - ? - ? – WARM.
3.) HEAD - ? - ? - ? - ? – TAIL.
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The actor who played Grandpa Amos in the popular sitcom “The Real McCoys” — and who had a ranch near Joseph, Oregon, was Walter Brennan. I received correct answers from Bruce Johnson, Donna Mollet, Judy Kiser, Shelly Hinatsu, Doug Nelson, Rhonda Spies, Lana Tepfer, Eva Summers, David Liberty, Sam Bilyeu, Patti Munk, and Dave Lutgens who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.
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And last week, while being distracted by Alfred E. Neuman (“What me Worry!”) on the covers of MAD magazine, I missed Ron Nelson, Tina Castanares, and Craig Terry.
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In the 1961 Disney comedy Absent-Minded Professor, Professor Ned Brainard, portrayed by Fred MacMurray, teaches physical chemistry at Medfield College. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the substance that Professor Brainard accidentally discovered that gains energy when it strikes a hard surface? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-980-4645, or send it with a picture of the professor’s flying Model T.
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Well, it’s been another week, reminiscing about the past while enjoying the present. Until we meet again, sometimes we need to act like Silly Putty: bouncy, flexible, and slightly wacky!
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“Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t go to yours.”
— Yogi Berra
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Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.
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Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Wednesdays with music on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays; Dufur - Wednesdays at noon at 320 NE 2nd Street;
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Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).
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For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services at the Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068), and in Skamania County, call Senior Services (509-427-3990).
Answers:
1.) CAT-COT-DOT-DOG
2.) COLD-CORD-CARD-WARD-WARM
3.) HEAD-HEAL-TEAL-TALL-TAIL
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