Features
Aging has its minuses but pluses can be extracted
Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength – Betty Frieden
This period in one’s life of ageing which the Japanese have pushed to beyond 90 years recently, but usually considered as past the Biblical age of three score and ten, can truly be a time of opportunity and being stronger psychologically and emotionally, particularly for women. As a Buddhist I say that ageing like death are inevitable and thus fighting against either or refusing to accept them as realities is foolish and detrimental. What needs to be done is accept change as a sure thing in life and listening to the wisdom of the Buddha, cultivate and improve upekka or equanimity. (Not at all easy to do, but effort must be persistent)
Reading the final chapter in Nerve by Martha Piper and Indira Samarasekera, I find my ideas are much in agreement in what they write in Chapter 16 – Super-aging: the joys of old age.
They begin their chapter thus: “Current research suggest that women may anticipate several decades of a vibrant physical and intellectual life after retiring.” They reiterate that much research is on living longer but they “believe the goal should be how to live better regardless of the length of time you have.” (I commented on the book and wrote about Indira in a previous article).
Yes, of course it is quality of life that has to be targeted and not years of survival. And I need no backing of medical or geriatric experts and researchers when saying this depends on each person.
On the other hand women have so many avenues to walk down although growing greyer; having much more time on their hands and far less family responsibilities and none career-wise. They will lose the eager bounce in body and legs, but with mind alert and determination to make the most of the rest of their lives, they can go on happily. Of course this positivity needs mighty effort and determination.
Those who did no career jobs but were housewives, accept easily old age and are supported morally and materially by grown up children. Their emotional sustenance is through seeing their grandchildren develop.
As anyone ages, family ties and friendships take on more significance and the more time one spends with people one favours, the better for the psyche and even physical well being. A strong bit of advice is to broaden interests and start a new hobby or pastime. Religion plays a very significant role here.
Personal tidbits
Speaking for myself, giving up jobs came gradually. When I was made to retire from my regular job due to age, I was invited to do a part time job and that eased the goodbye to professional work. I also continued teaching would-be librarians. But the greatest fillip I had was helping a friend who was teaching English to foreign Buddhist monks. They were from Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Thailand. I had told her that when I retired I would join her. Classes were on two weekdays and I loved it. I benefited much more than the monks or my friend in having a willing assistant. A Burmese meheni joined my class which was not a beginners’ class. My friend taught the basics of English while I mixed English literature with comprehension and speech. I particularly remember three pupils: the ten preceptor nun – Ven Annyasi – and two monks from Cambodia and Bangladesh. We helped the latter two with renewal of their annual visas; the Myanmar nun was affluent.
This ten preceptor was in Sri Lanka to read for her Masters in Buddhist studies. Even after we discontinued the teaching in a temple close at hand, she continued coming to me and I assisted her in her research and thesis writing. I was the greater benefitter as I learnt much more of Buddhist philosophy and it was delightful associating with this lovely, lively person. She once in a while brought Chinese food to share with me and the Bangladeshi monk to whom she was an older sister cum mentor. The Cambodian monk returned to his village once he got his BA and helped his mother. He gave up robes as home responsibilities increased.
The Bangladeshi Bhikkhu – Ven Shanta, 18 years then, wished to sit the OL English literature paper. I tutored him through the syllabuses of language and literature and he obtained a credit pass. So, inevitably, he and I decided he attempt the AL English paper. It was delightful leading him through Shakespeare’s Othello and sonnets; Jane Austen and other texts and poems. No problem discussing sexual love and all that. He was able to get to underlying themes and meanings and a favourite expression of his which I hear in my head even now was ‘Mindset of the author/poet’. He is researching for his PhD in Buddhism in Hongkong and sends me essays to go through. He even applied for a scholarship to Harvard Divinity School. He did not succeed last year but that will not stop him.
I have written personally since I want to share the good fortune that came to me. If we oldies can avoid mental problems, we are well on the way to enjoying senior citizenship. However, it needs must be mentioned that hazards are more present to the older. Accidents are always a danger, like taking a toss. One could be ever so careful but one can miss a step or tumble over a stone on the road. Infinite care is necessary; good luck or karma too, I believe.
Thus while ageing can be very undemanding emotionally, physically much care has to be taken.
Best news for oldies
I quote from an article in the New England Journal of Medicine. “The director of the George Washington University College of Medicine argues that the brain of an elderly person is much more plastic than is commonly believed. At this age, the interaction of the right and left hemispheres of the brain becomes harmonious, which expands our creative possibilities. That is why among people over 60 you can find many personalities who have just started their creative activities.” The brain slows down, but as is said, it gains flexibility. That is why with age, in most cases, the right decision can be made and a person is less exposed to negative emotions. It has been found that the peak of human intellectual activity occurs at about 70 years of age. Imagine that! The brain works at full strength then.
“Over time, the amount of myelin in the brain increases, a substance that facilitates the rapid passage of signals between neurons. Due to this, intellectual abilities are increased by 300% compared to the average. Also interesting is the fact that after 60 years, a person can use two hemispheres at the same time. This allows you to solve much more complex problems.
Professor Oury Monchi from the University of Montreal believes that the brain of an elderly person chooses the least energy-intensive path, cutting unnecessary and leaving only the right options for solving the problem. A study was conducted in which different age groups took part. Young people were confused a lot when passing the tests, while those over 60 made the right decisions.”
The article listed features of the brain of an elderly person, of which the more easily understood I pass on.
The neurons of the brain do not die off, connection between them simply disappears if a person does not engage in mental work.
Absentmindedness and forgetfulness appear due to an overabundance of information. Thus there is no need to focus on trifles.
The conclusion is that if a person leads a healthy life style, moves, has physical activity and encourages full mental activity, intellectual abilities do not decrease with age, but only grow, reaching a peak by age 80-90 years.
Isn’t that most encouraging to us older folk?
A study in the US found that:
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The most productive age is from 60-70 years
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The second most productive human stage is from 70-80 years
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The third most productive stage is from 50-60
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The average age of the Nobel Prize laureates is 62
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The average age of presidents of 100 largest companies in the world is 63
Hence we of the older generation should be comforted by all this and determine to lead fulfilling, quality lives.