By Richard Derwald,
Senior Fitness/Wellness
Consultant Erie County

GROWING OLDER HAS
NEVER FELT BETTER

THE GOOD OLD DAYS?

For the past 25 years I have spent most of my days in the many senior centers located throughout the county and have often overheard people talking about the “good old days”. The fact is these are the really good days and getting better as we get older. First let’s look at reality. The Pan-American Exposition held 1901 is warmly remembered as a highlight in history of Buffalo. Photos of well-dressed couples strolling around Delaware (Hoyt) Lake and on the expo grounds conjures up images of an era being kinder, gentler, peaceful and happier. The fact is that in 1901 the average life expectancy at birth for all races and sexes was 47.3 years. In 1935 the average life expectancy was just 63 ½ years. So glad I was not born back then. Woops sorry. I was born then and so far, today I have beat that 1935 average by 25 years. No matter how old you are today you are living longer and better than at any recorded time in human history.

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

When I first heard the term “Age is just a number” I thought to myself this is just a phrase to make older people feel better about themselves. Today at age 88 I have become aware of the profound truth found in this statement. I now see people in their 50s and 60s who are by definition old. A new definition of old is a loss of mental and physical function so the fact is that the term old is no longer based completely on age but rather how people actually function. There are some who are old at age 50 while others in their 90s are older but they are not old. Development of chronic disease becomes more prevalent as the years pass but Dr Walter Bortz, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University (age 93) tells us – “Almost everything we have been taught about growing older has been wrong. Frailty, heart disease, loss of an active sex life, and memory loss, are just a few problems typically associated with aging. All of these symptoms have less to do with chronology (genetics) than with lack of conditioning (Lifestyle) . You can have a long, healthy life.” He also is quoted as saying “At least 80% of all chronic disease is caused by unhealthy lifestyle”

AGE 60 IS THE NEW 40

Yes, another popular saying that is very true today we need only to look at the average longevity of 1935 to prove this saying. Someone age 60 today is basically at the same point of their life as a person in 1935 was at age 40.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR GIFT OF AN ADDITIONAL 20 YEARS?

At this year’s academy awards Brenden Frasier won the Best Actor Oscar. Over this past decade the former action star experienced a drastic downturn in his career but revived in in 2022 with his portrayal of an obese invalid in a movie titled THE WHALE. Frasier’s career comeback was hailed as one of the greatest in the motion picture industry. We are not Hollywood actors or professional athletes whose comeback will be hailed in the media BUT ON A PERSONAL BASIS- Don’t waste the 20 additional years gift you have given. Making yourself healthier, truly alive and happier again is the biggest comeback of all.

AMPLIFING YOUR 20 YEAR GIFT. FEEL BETTER – BE BETTER

A gift is also called a present and there is no time like the present to reap the benefits offered to you here in Erie County. The main focus of the Erie County Department of Senior Services is to enhance and enrich the lives of every county resident over the age of 60. To learn more call 716– 858-8526 or visit their internet site https://www3.erie.gov/seniorservices/ where you will find a complete listing and descriptions of the many programs specifically designed to make you healthier and heighten that exuberant feeling of being truly alive.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL –(716) 858- 8526