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Reflections October 2013

Aid for Age

Different Strokes for Older Folks

By Tait Trussell

Seniors today are “comfortable using technology. They cite its importance in keeping them connected with “family, friends and the wider world.”

Just because we’re all growing old doesn’t mean we’re all alike.

John, age 70, sensing early signs of dementia, says, “I hope I have a stroke. It will mean a quick death.” Some seniors hope for such a speedy death, rather than burdening their family with the long, ghastly stretch of Alzheimer’s disease.

Bob G., 85, whom I have known since childhood and still correspond with regularly, reads at least two books a week, does manual labor at the backwoods Tennessee acreage he and his wife bought 25 years ago. He had sold his airplane, retired as a wealthy orthopedic surgeon and told me he expects to live to age 100 or more.

Dick, a retired General Motors design engineer, plays golf at least twice a week, always walking the course without a cart and keeping a very respectable l6 handicap at age 71. He studies the Bible faithfully much of the rest of the week.

Bob B. 87, an oncologist and former H.S. frat brother, retired from his practice near Washington, D.C. in 1996. But he still volunteers twice a week to treat patients, 95 percent of whom are Hispanics.

Hank, a retired school superintendent, at 70 just returned from three weeks in England and Scotland, where he and his University of Michigan band played a couple of concerts a day. He drives veterans to the VA offices 60 miles away twice a week and serves on two local civic boards.

Bill, a Navy fighter pilot in World War II was my golf companion at a club outside Washington, D.C., for many years. Bill is now confined to a wheelchair. He hasn’t had the courage to go in his wife’s room since she died three months ago.

Pat is a Gideon. He and his wife, Bonny, both 70, have traveled in their camper to 45 states. He sails his boat on Lake Michigan.

Andy, 80, a more ambitious sailor, sails regularly from Natchez, Mississippi, to Mackinac Island, Michigan. He and his wife, Jeannie own a bed and breakfast in an old mansion in Natchez. Andy once owned a small airline. He’s an inventor.   
Only 18 percent of seniors exercise at least 30 minutes a day. For many it is just walking.

But there are commonalities among many seniors. For instance: The United States of Aging Survey conducted by the National Council on Aging, UnitedHealthCare, and USA Today explored what underlies seniors’ perspectives on aging. Questioned were 4,000 Americans 60 and older.

In general, seniors maintain “a positive outlook on their future and the aging process.”

Although 6 in 10 seniors describe their health in the past year as “normal,” 65 percent acknowledge having at least two chronic health conditions, and 60 percent expect their health to glide along the same path during the next 5 to 10 years.

Seventy-five percent of low-income seniors face “at least one barrier, such as lack of energy or money.”

More than half of the seniors polled are “very or somewhat concerned” about whether their savings and income will be enough to last the rest of their life.

Seniors today are “comfortable using technology.” They cite its importance in keeping them connected with “family, friends and the wider world.”

Prescription drug prices are still “a big issue” for most seniors, despite the advent of the Medicare prescription, Part D, enacted in 2003. Choosing among the variety of plans offered, through it provides choice, still is confusing to some. Many seniors pay more out-of-pocket expenses than they expected.

Among the biggest concerns is the uncertain future of Social Security and Medicare. The complexity of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and its many future taxes and regulations is also of considerable worry to seniors, surveys show.

Finally, seniors, like those of all ages who keep up with world affairs, fret long-range about the possibility of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease, which close to half of those living to age 85 are predicted to get.

Younger seniors almost universally are bothered by arthritis, vision problems and hearing loss. Many others have bouts of depression, heart problems and osteoporosis.

Long-term care is a concern that faces most seniors. According to Long-termCare.gov the monthly cost of a private room in a nursing home averages $7,000 a month. The cost of residence in an assisted living facility averages $3,300 a month.

Finally, seniors, as well as those of any age, with an interest in world affairs are frightened about the long-range the goals of Islamic jihadists, who are increasing their population in practically every country except Japan, where Muslims are banned. Others fear the U.S. has lost its leadership role in the world.

 

Tait Trussell is an old guy and fourth-generation professional journalist who writes extensively about aging issues among a myriad of diverse topics.

Meet Tait