The Effects of Aging on the Over Fifties

Over the hill? Were you born in or prior to 1958?

Now you are really going to experience the effects of aging or are you?

There is definitely a lot of fear and concern about becoming fifty. Imagine being fifty years old! What about the effects of aging after fifty?

For some people, turning fifty proves to be a wonderful experience. A lot of people see this as having reached a milestone, in their lives. A goal has been achieved.

Others perceive this, as a major turning point in their lives or as a time when something important has been accomplished. It is a time of celebration for them.

Yet others may feel like becoming fifty is the end of the road or the beginning of the slippery slope to old age. It is a time of fear, anger, suspicion and depression, with a foreboding of illness or pending gloom and doom.

There is not a lot of difference between being forty nine and becoming fifty. Being forty and becoming fifty, did not bring about a lot of change; neither does the fifty to sixty transition. If anything, the changes are gradual, almost imperceptible.

Aging is a natural process that happens to everyone.

It would appear that if your parents or grandparents perceived the age of fifty one way, then you will have the same way of thinking about it. Remember though, that it in previous generations that may have been a time of severe stress and anxiety. There may have been difficult circumstances for them to contend with, as well. Both of these factors would have colored their thinking, at least to some extent. Don't let that color your thinking too. 

Some will argue that once you are over fifty, you are over the hill, so to speak. Is that really true?

There is no hill there, other than the one in a person's imagination. That one might actually be a mountain. It could be a mole hill.

In the year 2008, turning fifty is not a major concern, like it was fifty years ago.

The life span of human beings has been extended since that time. Health care has improved immensely. Life is easier for many people now, because of new technological advances. Change, for the most part, has been for the better, in terms of people getting older, as well as with respect to them living longer and healthier lives.

When you think about your age and aging, take into consideration all of the other factors. Remember that your age is determined, to a large extent by your own attitude. What you do and what you say, reflects you and your attitude, possibly your ancestor's attitude, not just your age. You can be fifty and think like you are fifteen or be fifty and think like you are ninety.

Let me tell you a true story.

How well I remember a couple of men who came into the doctor's office, where I was working as a nurse, many years ago.

The first man who came in was so sad, depressed and despondent, that I almost felt like crying with him.

"How old I am!" he said sadly. His head hung low. He was very unkempt and badly in need of a shave, haircut and a new wardrobe. He seemed almost as old as his brown leather boots. He reeked of cigarette smoke.

"How old are you?" I asked, fearing the worst. He looked like he was going to cry.

"Sixty five," he said sadly. He sat there silently and did not say another word.

The next patient bounced into the room and said, "How young I am!" He was smiling, full of life, waving his arms in the air. He was so chipper that he was almost dancing. This man was clean cut and very well dressed. He wore a wonderful smile on his face.

Pleasantly surprised, I asked him how old he was. "I am sixty five," he said with a big grin.

"Now I qualify for my old age pension!" he said excitedly. "We are having a party tonight to celebrate!"

The difference between the two men was astonishing.

So when you see yourself turning fifty or sixty five or even older and possibly subject to the effects of aging, remember these two men. You may have aged but how you have aged is more important. Attitude is everything.