Live 'til 100?

Going long on longevity

The question of living to 100 can be considered from several angles:

Can human beings live to be 100 years old? Yes. Through the ages have been numerous examples of people who have lived to 100 – and beyond.

Will human beings live to be 100? They will certainly do their darndest to extend life as long as possible.

Should human beings live to be 100? This raises any number of philosophical sub-questions, far beyond the scope of this essay. Skirting the metaphysics, however, let me note that as long as they can maximize their happiness, humans should live to be at least 100.

WSJ weighs in on longevity

The Wall Street Journal recently ran excerpts from an interview with Laura Carstensen, founding Director of Stanford University’s Center on Longevity.

Stanford’s Center offers a refreshingly positive spin on aging.

For one thing, according to Carstensen, rather than sinking into depression, aging adults “do better emotionally as they get older. This has been so surprising to researchers and to the general public that it’s probably been the most scrutinized finding about aging.”

Why do geezers function better emotionally? Carstensen claims that “older people have shorter time horizons. For many years, people thought that must make people miserable and scared. The interesting thing is there’s a paradox. It actually makes people feel calmer not to have to prepare for this long and nebulous future, to be able to live more in the present.”

“Younger people,” the Stanford Director adds, “are almost always thinking about the future. They almost always have one foot out the door, whatever they’re doing. And older people seem to do better just being able to be in the present and enjoy the moment.”

She continues her explanation of the difference fewer “what-ifs” make to older vs. younger adults: “I think [being able to be in the present, enjoying the moment] is because [aging adults] don’t have to keep planning. As people get older, it’s clearer where they stand in the world and what they’re good at.”

ADAP

Being in the present during games benefits participants in the Age-defying Athletes Project (ADAP) because it fosters focus. As Gigi, a 73-year-old tennis player, describes it: “[Playing is ] athletically, mentally [beneficial]. I have developed focus, have to live in the moment.”

Didn’t keep your eye on the golf ball because you were distracted by planning a get-together with friends? Too bad. You’re not in the moment with that particular swing and you suffer from that lack of concentration.

Didn’t watch your opponent’s tennis racquet in that last shot because you were reliving the conversation you had with your spouse last night? Tsk, tsk.

When it’s all about the here and now, it’s better to be in the present than in the past or future.

Of course, ADAPers are also aiming for longevity, as well as improved sport concentration.

Charles, 63, described just such a later life goal as the key reason he and his wife embraced the links. “A scuba friend encouraged [us] to try golf. We were still working then and didn’t have a lot of time. Greta liked golf, and we discussed it. We thought it would be something we could do into our 70s with confidence.

There were “Key moments,” he states: “- friends injured on ski slopes and we realized we needed to take care of ourselves so we can golf into later ages. Need to do it together.”

Preparing for longer life

The Stanford Center on Longevity website declares: “The 100-Year Life Is Here. We’re Not Ready.”

Maybe some aren’t ready, but Age-defying Athletes are certainly getting prepared for cakes blazing with 100 candles!

Like Charles and Greta, they are participating in sports in later life.

Tyrel is a 76-year-old tennis player who focuses on the camaraderie of the game: “Socialization, talking, being part of a group. Socialization is the the number one thing for longevity. [Plus, there’s the] benefit of physical exercise.”

He continues that “I discovered a pathway to longevity. [My wife] Doris’ 87-year-old Mom and 92-year-old Stepfather played [tennis] until the last year of their lives. [They were an] inspiration.”

In contrast, he goes on, “I look back at my parents - Dad died at 60, Mom, 75. He was fit, but smoked, worked, bowled. Great sailor and water sports guy. Mom not particularly healthy last 15 years.”

Aquamarine, 76, is a golfer whose goal is tied more to longevity than it is to handicap index: “Keep playing as long as I can. Just want to enjoy the sport and stay healthy. Play through my senior years.

“You don’t have to be the best golfer, just get out there and play.”

Polysport Aarya (tennis and golf) is also 76.

She says that “From what I notice, those who play tennis live longer. They move. Socialization. Thinking is enhanced, have to remember scores. Camaraderie, exercise, mental. I’m a stupid kid again.”

Fountain of Youth?

Age-defying Athletes push through the decades powered by the elixir of sport. It’s almost as if they drink from a fountain of youth.They become renewed by fitness, friendship, and fun.

Their renewal is a life reset. Instead of plodding from 60 to 70 or 70 to 80, they propel themselves to some ageless age which makes 100 the new….what? Not necessarily the new 30 (and who wants to be 30 again?), but to some astral plane when they can maximize their happiness, body and soul.

One last thought about the Stanford Center

Director Laura Carstensen is 71. Presumably, her professional achievements plus her age enable her to understand and empathize with older adults.

Could a younger person succeed in this role? Would a 35-year-old whiz kid have the insight to separate societal expectations of geezer depression, dementia, and dullness from the reality of vibrant 75-year-olds whose motto is YOLO*?

Theoretically, irrespective of the number of birthdays collected, anyone with half a brain should be able to see that age is an achievement. So, age shouldn’t matter in the direction of a Center like that at Stanford.

But, ha ha, here are the ironic words I may be forced to gobble down:

Still, I wonder if a younger person could handle it as well. Just sayin’…

What do you think?

WIIFY?

Enhance longevity with the fun, fitness, and friendship cocktail provided by playing sports.

It doesn’t matter how well you play. What matters is that you play. Put yourself out there and see what happens.

Oh, and by the way, better start purchasing candles for your cake…

*You Only Live Once