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I think your fear is healthy if it motivates you to fight the effects of aging. I know many people in their 60s and 70s and it's amazing the effect lifestyle ha

I think your fear is healthy if it motivates you to fight the effects of aging. I know many people in their 60s and 70s and it's amazing the effect lifestyle has on where you end up. I know 60-year-olds who are senile and frail after a liftime of recreational drinking, poor eating, and inactivity. I also know 80-year-olds who are sharp as me, learning new things, and biking, hiking, or running more than ever to stay young. My 70-year-old mother just got her PhD and teaches nursing thanks to a liftime of healthy eating and intense exercise. Those are the seniors I think of when I go to the gym and choose salad over my craving for burgers and fries when out to eat.

Xcelerate 10y ago
> My 70-year-old mother just got her PhD and teaches nursing thanks to a lifetime of healthy eating and intense exercise. That's really impressive!
drone 10y ago
Sadly, even exercise and good living doesn't always work. I have a family member living with dementia right now who lived a model life as far as diet (vegetarian), exercise (daily for life), no drinking or drugs, and an overall focus on doing everything possible to be as healthy as possible. Conversely, my own grandfather watched all of his coworkers die from cancer due to the chemicals they worked with, was generally sedentary, and lived into his nineties with no major degenerative diseases. That said, I agree that one is more likely to have positive late-life outcomes if one chooses to live more healthfully in younger life.
- ideonexus 10y ago
  Thank you for pointing this out. I almost went back and edited my original post to add this qualification. There are absolutely exceptions to the trends, and just because someone is having health or cognitive issues in their senior years, we should not assume it's because of their lifestyle. I think you stated this fact very well and I appreciate it.
kilroy123 10y ago
I'm convinced, endlessly watching TV has a lot to do with it as well. Not only are you not active, but you're mindlessly not using your brain. The average older adult, watches 33 hours of TV a week! That's insane to me. http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/average-american-watches-5-hours-tv-day-article-1.1711954 http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/average-american-watch...

Xcelerate 10y ago

> My 70-year-old mother just got her PhD and teaches nursing thanks to a lifetime of healthy eating and intense exercise. That's really impressive!

drone 10y ago

Sadly, even exercise and good living doesn't always work. I have a family member living with dementia right now who lived a model life as far as diet (vegetarian), exercise (daily for life), no drinking or drugs, and an overall focus on doing everything possible to be as healthy as possible. Conversely, my own grandfather watched all of his coworkers die from cancer due to the chemicals they worked with, was generally sedentary, and lived into his nineties with no major degenerative diseases. That said, I agree that one is more likely to have positive late-life outcomes if one chooses to live more healthfully in younger life.

ideonexus 10y ago
Thank you for pointing this out. I almost went back and edited my original post to add this qualification. There are absolutely exceptions to the trends, and just because someone is having health or cognitive issues in their senior years, we should not assume it's because of their lifestyle. I think you stated this fact very well and I appreciate it.

kilroy123 10y ago

I'm convinced, endlessly watching TV has a lot to do with it as well. Not only are you not active, but you're mindlessly not using your brain. The average older adult, watches 33 hours of TV a week! That's insane to me. http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/average-american-watches-5-hours-tv-day-article-1.1711954 http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/average-american-watch...