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America's Gray Liberation Breaks All Age Limits
Seems like America turned gray virtually over night. Doubtful? Don't be. Today, there are 70,000 living, breathing (albeit intermittently), socially active centenarians. And being a Floridian, it seems like they all drive cars in my home town. In fact, where I live older drivers create drive-thru restaurants everyday... by accident, if you get my drift. By the way, a centenarian is a person aged 100 years or older.
Just in case you think I'm talking about a visiting soccer team from the nation of Centaria. No, I'm not kidding. Whenever I watch the Tonight Show's Jay Leno query street people on common knowledge topics, I find their brain power to be ... well ... easily contained. So I'm taking no chances that everyone knows what a centenarian is.
Anyway, the big news is the numbers of centenarians are growing like never before in the history of mankind ("humankind" to be politically correct). For the benefit of my international readers, "politically correct" is an American term used to describe people who wear underwear that is five sizes too small ... by choice. Now back to the centenarian news.
The number of all these centenarians in the U.S. is growing rapidly, according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau. During the 1990's, the ranks of centenarians nearly doubled, from 37,000 ten years ago to 70,000 today. Analysts at the Census estimate that this population of centenarians could range in size from 265,000 to 4.2 million people by mid next century. The middle-range projection is 834,000 by year 2050.
The report, funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), does point out significant problems with information on the true ages of people 95 and older. I find this point rather interesting. People seem to react to their chronological age in four stages.
The first stage is childhood where kids often exaggerate their age by saying "I think I AM old enough" to do so and so.
The second stage is middle age where adults, in Jack Benny-style, keep turning age 39 over and over again. Makeup helps tremendously at this age. Whenever, someone asks your age, just makeup a number (usually younger, so the boss thinks you're still too young to throw out into the retirement pasture). The first and second stage might also be called the "Virtual Age" stages because one's can be virtually anything you want it to be. The next stages, three and four, might be called "Reality and Beyond". For example, the gist of
the third stage is captured by the statement, "REALLY, I get a 10% discount if I'm a senior citizen?". This is an act of acceptance, or embracing one's REAL age.
Stage four, is the BEYOND Stage or "Guess how old I am". Here the person has lived soooooo long, it's an accomplishment. They are so darned proud of outliving their enemies that they exaggerate their age well BEYOND reality. 80 year olds become 90. 90 year olds become "instant centenarians" !
"The growing numbers of extremely old people give us the opportunity to examine their lives in detail. By doing so, we will be able to discover the genetic, medical, social, and behavioral factors contributing to longevity and robustness in very advanced age", says Richard M. Suzman, PhD, associate director of the NIA. While these long-lived elders are a diverse group of Americans, they do share many characteristics that scientists believe help them live to 100 years and beyond. Of course, you'll want to know what these characteristics are. So check out the list below for a description of characteristics shared by centenarians.
- Longevity favors gender
Four out of every five centenarians are women. This difference is expected to continue.
- Diversity is the trend
Approximately 78 percent of today's centenarians are European-Americans (EA). However, scientists project some fascinating trends through the year 2050. For example, while EA centenarians will decrease from 78% to 55%, minority representation will increase. Hispanic-American centenarians will increase from 5 to 20 percent. Asian and Pacific Islander Americans will grow from 3 to 11 percent. African-Americans are expected to remain constant at 13 percent.
- Educational attainment
Since experts believe that educational attainment is a major factor in determining life-expectancy, expect more educated centenarians. I'm not sure but I think that the positive relationship between education and living longer may be due to the fact that when you are sitting in school educating yourself, it is impossible to also be home watching the "Jerry Springer" TV show (a behavior indicative of terminal ignorance .. a longevity no-no).
- Geography of longevity
Right now, 10 percent of all centenarians live in California. I hope they stay there, but you never know ... they could also move to my home town and create even more drive-thru restaurants. Another 8 percent live in New York, and we definitely know they won't leave because everybody "loves New York". In reality, they probably would like to leave but can't because traffic is too bad. The rest are spread throughout our great nation. There are, however, high concentrations in the states of Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota.
So, what will America look like in the new century (you thought I was going to say "millennium" didn't you?). One thing is for sure, there will be lots of older people, and plenty more centenarians. And you know what that means. Yep, more drive-thru restaurants. That's progress.
For those who want to read more about this fascinating group of 100-plus Americans, check out the Census website which is the home of the report, "Centenarians in the United States" (P23-199). The Internet address is: www.census.gov/prod/99pubs/p60199/pdf
There's also plenty more longevity articles in the AgeVenture News Service archives. Just click on the hypertext links listed below.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
100 Birthdays: more than smart genes and dumb luck
Calculate Your Age in Neo-Years
Longevity Fostered by Faith and Friendship
Timing of Childbirth Linked to Longevity
Genes Don't Always Fit Longevity Profile
Gerontologists Seek Longevity Prescription
Is Longevity An Equal Opportunity Event?
Worldwide Gains in Life-Expectancy
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
Boomer Dads Powerful Parenting Partners
Contrary to the "dad's always away at work" myth, the majority of boomer fathers are actively engaged in parenting their children. And it pays off. These engaged fathers tend to raise children who grow up with far fewer problems than the children who grow up in homes where the father is either absent or not actively engaged in the parenting role. So stop wondering why America has so many social problems such as poor school performance, gang activity, and violence. It seems when the family works, so does society. The key to solving many social problems begins at home. Take a look.
In addition to time and money, today's fathers contribute to their children's lives in a wide variety of ways, according to a new University of Michigan study of a nationally representative sample of 1,761 children living in two-parent, intact families. About three-quarters of these fathers say they hug their children or show physical affection to them everyday, reports sociologist W. Jean Yeung, a researcher at the U-M Institute for Social Research (ISR).
One-third of U.S. fathers in the study say they tell their children they love them every day and 60 percent say
they joke or play with their children on a daily basis. Nearly 90 percent of fathers say that being a father is the
most fulfilling role a man can have, and almost as many express a high level of confidence in themselves as
fathers. About 87 percent agree or strongly agree that fathers are just as good as mothers at meeting their
children's needs.
Eighty percent of the dads say they help choose their children's activities, while 67 percent help choose their
children's day care and schools. But only 29 percent say they help their wives select a pediatrician and make
appointments for their children, according to the study.
About a quarter of the fathers have attended at least one meeting of the PTA or similar organizations at their
children's school, and about 22 percent have volunteered at school during the year they were interviewed,
Yeung reports.
More than half the fathers know the first and last names of their children's close friends, and 77 percent say
that when their children aren't at home, they always know whom they are with.
Almost 40 percent of the fathers say they often or very often set limits on how much time a child can spend
watching television, and 60 percent set limits on what shows their children are allowed to watch. Fathers also
report that they often or very often set the following limits: establishing when it is time for homework (62
percent); limiting snacks (63 percent), controlling whom a child spends time with (40 percent), and controlling
how children spend time after school (46 percent).
While 65 percent of the fathers say they often or very often discuss rules with their children, most dads are
not the main family disciplinarian. Only 5 percent of fathers say they are primarily responsible for disciplining
their children, while 93 percent say they share this responsibility with their wives.
Three-quarters of the fathers earn more than half the family income, and 33 percent agree that a man should
earn most of the money while a woman takes care of home and family. After controlling for a variety of
family characteristics, Yeung found that a father's earnings and education are positively related to a child's
math and reading scores.
But no matter how little money a father earns or what his educational level, Yeung found that several
self-reported paternal characteristics are related to fewer behavior problems in children.
Fathers who have a
warm relationship with their children, who monitor what their children are doing in school, and who spend
time with their children playing and socializing with others, are most likely to have children with fewer
behavior problems, Yeung found. Among these behavior problems are lying, being overly active, crying too
much, feeling no one loves them, being fearful or anxious, or having a tendency to withdraw.
"It's important to remember that these findings reflect the situation for children who live with both of their
biological or adoptive parents," Yeung cautions. "About one-third of today's American children don't, and
these children are likely to spend less time with their fathers and receive lower levels of support from them,
both financially and emotionally."
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
Parental Preferences Predict Grandparenthood
Sandwich Generation in Parental Pickle
Grandparenthood Growing on a Grand Scale
Boomerang Grandparents
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
Hong Kong Wellness Tours for Yuppies and Chuppies
Hong Kong is known as a travel destination for Yuppies and their HongKong Chinese counterparts called "Chuppies". The attraction seems to be the city's ancient traditions and beliefs regarding spirituality, health, and wellness. Alternative medicines, herbal remedies, and Eastern philosophies flourish along side modern concepts and practices. Visiting Yuppies and Chuppies learn the secrets to healthy living by taking part in the Hong Kong Tourist Association's "Healthy Living" tours which explore herbal tea shops, the latest techniques of Tai Chi and alternative wellness disciplines.
"Healthy Living" tours consist of many wellness themes. There's the tour for those who want to strengthen the body and spirit. Next, there's a tour focusing on ancient traditions for medicines and food menus. There is also a tour called "Harmony in the Wind and Water" which offers tips for living in harmony with nature.
The "Strengthening the Body and Mind" tour begins with a tour of downtown parks and open public spaces during the morning hours. Participants get a glimpse of masters of Tai Chi, "shadow boxing", as they practice their daily routines of controlled yoga-like exercises. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese regimen, suitable for young and old alike, designed to balance the body and soul and to release energy from within. By "toning up" both mind and body, Tai Chi nurtures self-discipline and a sense of well-being.
Ancient Chinese treatments are plentiful in Hong Kong, such as herbs, teas, acupuncture, and reflexology. Acupuncture, which the Chinese have observed for more than 2,000 years, punctures the body with needles at specific points to relieve pain or cure disease. Reflexology involves pressing areas of the soles of the feet to achieve therapeutic effects. Then there's the concept of Qi which utilizes the health and healing powers of food. Qi advocates the balance of "ying" (cold) and "yang" (warm) foods to maintain health.
Finally, the ancient art of Fung Shui, translated as wind and water, explores the principle of humans living in harmony with nature. "Good" Fung Shui ensures good luck, prosperity, health, and happiness. Chinese landscapes, cities, homes, and temples are constructed in harmony with their environment and exist in symmetry with surrounding trees, hills, and water. In modern Hong Kong, architects and designers take special care to ensure that construction adheres to the principles of Fung Shui, from the angle of doorways to the position of an executive's desk. The Fung Shui tour introduces visitors to examples of the theory in modern buildings and landscapes. More information on Hong Kong's wellness adventures is available through the Hong Kong Tourist Association in New York. 1-800-282-4582.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
Science Continues to Drive Wellness Boom
Gerontologists Seek Longevity Prescription
Will Boomers Start A Fast Food Fast?
Fitness Rite Best Option Left for Longer Life
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
Pfizer - NCOA Partner on Mature Medication Management
Today's health care environment is more complex than ever before. And many people, particularly those age 50 and older, lack basic health skills such as medication management. Oddly enough, the majority of those adults, 86%, want to know as much information about their health as their doctors know. Ironically, only 65% feel adequately informed about their health care.
The inability to understand labels on medicine containers, appointment slips, informed consent documents, and health education materials is a major barrier to proper health care. As much as twenty-nine percent of mature adults report difficulty in understanding a lot of health information they read. That level of "health illiteracy" accounts for more than $15 billion a year in excess hospital costs.
To help meet this need, the National Council on the Aging (NCOA) and Pfizer Inc have developed "Managing Your Medications", a new patient education initiative that will equip individuals with practical, and potentially life-saving, health skills. "Managing Your Medications" addresses such issues as taking prescriptions correctly, managing multiple medications and understanding potential side effects. The goal of Pfizer is to create a program that will provide information which helps people to better manage their health.
Pfizer and NCOA have scheduled 40 medical management workshops, slated to run through July. To achieve maximum effect, four cities with a high concentration of seniors have been selected. The cities are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale. Local professionals and volunteers from each community are trained to serve as session leaders.
"We're interested in hearing from workshop attendees what kind of information they need, and creating additional programs to meet those needs," says Pat Kelly, Senior Vice President of Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals. For more information about "Managing Your Medications", consumers can call the NCOA Consumer Information Network toll-free at 1-887-390-7828. Pfizer Inc is a world leader in the discovery and development of scientifically-based solutions to health care needs. The National Council on the Aging is a non-profit association of 7,500 individuals and organizations dedicated to serving elders.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
OTC Drugs Save Consumers $20 Billion
Monitoring Medicines Makes You Unforgettable
Medicine is Enough to Make You Sick
Getting the Most from Your Medicines
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
New Surgery Rights What's Wronged By Arthritis
Replacing a hip or knee joint is a surgical procedure familiar to most people. But what about replacing finger, wrist, or toe joints that are painful, stiff, deformed or rendered unusable by arthritis?
The use of implant replacement for small joints can relieve pain, improve joint mobility and stability, and allows correction of unsightly and disabling deformities. Since 1969, more than 500,000 implants have replaced finger, wrist and toe joints of people in 86 countries, according to Wright Medical Technologies Inc, Arlington, Tennessee.
The term arthritis refers to a large group of disorders that can cause pain and joint deformities. These disorders, which include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, post-traumatic and gouty arthritis, are the most common causes of crippling in the Western world. Osteoarthritis is caused by damage to the cartilage, afflicting 16 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease related to the immune system, which primarily causes inflammation of the joint lining and around the tendons, affecting 2 million Americans.
Most people can successfully manage the disease with a combination of medication, heat and cold treatments, exercise and a healthy diet. However, about 25 percent of those affected have severe enough joint destruction and deformity to be considered for surgical treatment.
In the early days of arthritis surgery, the small damaged joints were treated by removing the damaged joint surfaces and either fuse the joint in a stiff position, or allow scar tissue to form between the bone ends. These procedures did not give the needed mobility and stability for good function.
Now, thanks to some rather dramatic surgical innovations spearheaded by Dr. Alfred B. Swanson, orthopaedic surgeon and professor of surgery at Michigan State University, many arthritis victims are regaining mobility. Beginning in the early 60's, Dr. Swanson developed silicone elastomer implants for the wrist and great toe joints. Improvements in implant designs eventually included a titanium shield to protect the silicone from damage caused by sharp bone edges. Today, the different medical-grade elastomer and titanium small joint spacers designed by Dr. Swanson are made by Wright Medical Technology in Arlington, Tennessee.
The surgery, which involves bone shaping, implant insertion and rebalancing the surrounding joint tissues, can be recommended and performed by orthopaedic, plastic, and general surgeons specializing in the hand and foot. Small joint reconstruction does not always restore a normal joint, but places the range of motion in a functional zone, allowing people who receive the treatment to be able to carry out most daily activities.
Questions about new surgical techniques should be addressed to a physician or specialized surgeon. Questions about arthritis can be directed to the Arthritis Foundation, 1-800-283-7800.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
Arthritis Prevalence Rises as Boomers Age
Sticking It To Seniors: acupuncture for arthritis
The Arthritis Cure
AGS Launches Pain Management Guidelines
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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