Great post, Ronni. I subscribe to all you are saying. I'll add something, if you are old and healthy, count your blessings, but don't count on it lasting forever. We'll all die one day. And probably of some disease...

The latest journalism here is talking about the first '1000 year old man' already being amongst us. Presumably this won't be achieved by any means other than spare parts - mechanical and genetically harvested. I guess the physical randomness of ageing as you describe it will be largely eliminated and the governing health factor in survival will be enough cash to pay for the treatments.

Imagine going out with your 600 year old toy boy when you get into four figures.

I think you are right that decline is inevitable and that denying the reality of old age change is wrong; but I also think knowing what to do to live as healthy as possible an old age is not necessarily what some are doing. If we are living an unhealthy lifestyle at any age, it's not the result of genes when something goes wrong-- old age just makes it come faster. I have often thought what I could get away with when younger, I can't now. It takes longer to make up for not staying on an exercise regime or eating right.

I believe the point you made is true-- don't judge why someone else is declining faster than you are. At the same time, their decline might be too much sugar, not enough water, not regular exercise, feeling sorry for themselves, etc. The not judging them comes in because sometimes the reason someone stops exercising less is something went wrong inside that they don't yet know (mother-in-law had adult onset diabetes and she had kidney damage as a result which led her to a lot less energy than some her age would have had).

The media seems worse and worse for how their bottomline is always what sells-- not just the ads but the programs. I understand that as business is business; but if people are trusting the media for their information-- buyer beware.

Your post almost made me cry with tears of relief. Thank you for recognising what is obviously a sensitive issue Ronnie.

I wish I was dead now. Thank you for your thoughts, research and obvious compassion. The old hate the young, the young hate the old. There is enough hate in this world to go around twenty universes. I for one am sick and tired and have been since I was about 35. Chronic illness, cancerx2 and mental problems have plagued me, as others, since my early forties. I now longer fantisize about being 21 because I cannot remember what it felt like. Bummer.

I had no idea I would be stereotyped as old and used up so quickly.

Many times during my life I have been chastised for not concerning myself with what others think. I now realize this particular character trait is a true blessing!

Ronni, this is a great post & ohhh so true! I suffered an "old people's disease" at age 31 & it was quite a mental hot foot. It changed my perspective on aging & gave me a new respect for my elders. Now that I'm an elder & still living with the aftereffects
of my illness -- including the discrimination that came with it --I'm as appalled as you are at the mentality as you are. Getting older isn't a mortal sin as some might have us believe. I really get disgusted with those who say
"age is only a number" & "you're only as old as you feel." If those hackneyed phrases are true, why are we discriminated against & discarded as unworthy or useless when that number gets too high? With the rise of the various
"police" abounding in our society-- food, smoke, alcohol, etc.-- it's likely they'll be trying to outlaw old age next & we elders will be the next Holocaust. If that sounds outrageous, then think again. It could happen.

This is one of the very things that has concerned me about getting older...and you are so articulate about it. Our culture emphasizes being forever youthful. My pet peeve is catalogs or advertising that do condescend to depict an older model...they are thin (read emaciated) or simply prematurely grey haired 40 something. Sagging chins, bags under eyes and thick middles are abhorrent, says the media. And the models are always going full speed on bikes or dancing in some romantic setting, even if the advertisement is for an incontince drug.

I'm not a fan of those who try to play God. However, I am a fan of self-healing and I believe you can find that inner self and convince it to heal on its own. I've done it myself. I'm 52 and as far as I know except for a few aches and pains here and there, I am disease-free. So far and knock on wood. My boyfriend has diabetes and I'm always hearing him complain even though he doesn't have it that bad. He still has his vision and he still has his limbs, but the way he's talking, he's going to die any day. I've really got to work with him. But, as far me, I don't believe I'm invincible, but I do believe in mind power to heal one's self. I don't have much faith in the medical profession, sad to say, either, so I prefer to heal myself unless it's something that's out of my control.

I know and believe everything you said here, but if I'm totally honest with myself, darned if it doesn't make me feel good to have fifty year olds express surprise to learn I'm in my seventies. I relish it when they say, "you look and act like us." Keep in mind that's in a work environment, and we're not engaged in a lot of physical activity where in that area a comparison between our age groups would likely show some significant differences.

I recall recently writing on one of your BlogHer posts, I believe, words to the effect "I must be doing something right" with that experience fresh in my mind. I wasn't thinking my actions were fully responsible for the not-heavily-wrinkled status of my skin, as I know many factors contribute to that which you've noted. I also know seventy year olds in much better overall condition than I. For all I know, those fifty year olds (who were assuming I was their age) may have been thinking how young and good they looked compared to my wrinkles. In which case, they must have experienced a great letdown when I told them my age -- now with whom would they compare themselves?:-)I only have to look in the mirror which quickly shows wrinkles that loom large to me, to see how much I've aged.

I do remember feeling fairly smug in my fifties that my mind, body, spirit -- positive attitude -- somehow accounted for my body's state. I still believe they're all important, but into my sixties the realities of physical aging did and do prevail for all of us.

I agree with tamarika as to the significance of what you've written here -- a topic that needs continuous follow-up -- one that has certainly given me pause to think about what I believe, what I say, the language I use, how to bring these thoughts to the forefront of awareness in our society.