The ‘New Normal’ has been the buzz word since MCO began in March. People are getting used to what the term encompasses and have adjusted to it quite well. There is another buzz word going around too. It hasn’t quite gained viral traction yet but it’s just a matter of time. Some of you would have noticed the rise of a new generation of older people – the baby boomers, born between 1946 to 1964. They are now aged 56 to 74. They have had the benefit of education, a career and are now approaching retirement or are already enjoying their golden years.
We fell in love with Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal in the 1970 movie ‘Love Story’. She was so pretty and he was so handsome. She was 30 then, and Ryan 28. They are now 80 and 78 respectively. They have both aged remarkably well.
Which begs the question – why do some people age better than others? What do they do that is different? Is it the genes they inherited? Ageing well goes beyond looking youthful. It is also being fitter, more energetic and feeling positive. It’s a total trinity of physical, mental and psychological wellbeing.
Thanks to advances in medicine, science and technology, the New Old are fitter, healthier and looking much younger than their chronological age. No one epitomises this more than the new wave of older models that are strutting the city streets in Beijing, China. They are breaking all the rules in the Ageing Handbook.
There are outliers too in their 80s who are breaking the old mould of how octogenarians should look. Take for example another Beijing sensation – Wang Deshun. Hard to believe he is 84 this year. A bare-chest picture of him walking down the catwalk turned him into an overnight household name in China, and thanks to social media, his fame has spread worldwide. Read about Deshun’s journey to being fit and in top physical form. One key trait to note is his passion. When we have a burning passion for something in our lives, it becomes the driving force for us to want to age well.
It’s not just about looking fabulous. It’s also about having the stamina and energy to run a marathon, to cycle cross-country, to climb mountains. Or boogie-woogie and outlast and outclass younger competitiors on the dance floor. Meet German couple Dietmar, 73, and Nellia, 67. Their dance videos are trending on YouTube. Their dancing leaves us breathless and wondering how they can be so flexible and energetic when most people their age would be feeling aches and pain in their joints. The secret? They have been dancing since they were teenagers. It’s all about getting an early start to being active and maintaiing a daily regime of exercise. Dancing is definitely a very enjoyable form of exercise.
We have our own crop of new age grandmas and grandpas too. Here are some of them. Don’t they look fabulous!
First up is this youthful couple, Mr and Mrs Jagjeet Singh. He is 87 and she is 80. Mrs J, as she is fondly referred to, has just published her first book. She wrote it in all of two months during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now isn’t that excellent use of stay-home time? Mrs J is also our SeniorsAloud inspiring senior of the month for November. We can’t wait for her to reveal her seven secrets to staying young.
Another awe-inspiring New Old is Yusuf Hashim, 75. He retired at 53 and has been living life to the hilt since. When you listen to how he has been spending his retirement years (see video below), you can’t help but feel a tad envious. A gypsetter (his own word for who he is), his love of adventure has taken him to all corners of the world. He has visited remote and exotic places that we can only dream about or appreciate vicariously through the beautiful photos he has taken of his travels. I had the opportunity to interview Team Strong Silver three years ago in Singapore. Formed in 2013, TSS comprises three core members Ng Bee Kia, 71, Ngai Hin Kwok, 68 and Ng Siu Chi, 58, who was away at the time of the interview. Three years on, they are still working their muscles and doing daily calisthenics – gymnastic exercises that use one’s own body strength, If there was a Seniors edition of Men’s Health magazine, TSS would be a shoo-in for the cover. Their well-toned sculpted bodies are the envy of men decades younger than them, and I bet also secretly admired by the ladies. Check out the interview and photos here.
And there is Judy Chong-Lee. Would you believe she is a 67 year-old grandma? She could easily pass for a university student. For happily married couples, Judy has this to say, “If there’s a formula for looking and feeling good in addition to a healthy diet exercise and sleep, it is also doing our best to look good for our spouse and give each other TLC in words, thoughts and deeds. And if there is any arguments or quarrels, the remedy is instant forgiveness and reconciliation.” Excellent advice.
So what is the fountain of youth that we can take a sip or two from? Where is it? It’s right here, within ourselves and in the great outdoors. There are no secrets to ageing well. It’s been out there in public space, in books, on social media and in inspiring role models around us. The challenge is applying what we know. Easier said than done for most people, right?
When our health is at stake, we don’t have much of a choice. “If you want to be healthy at 80, you have to start by 50, says Dr Norman Lazarus, 84, an endurance cyclist. “Ageing and slowing down is inevitable, but disease and infirmity is not.” His advice – “Eat less, and eat smart. Exercise more, and regularly. And pay regard to your mental health. Cut out the snacks. Get out the door.”
The mantra for the New Old is to enjoy longevity in good health, adding more good years in middle age, with a few years of frailty at the end or none at all. With easy access to information on healthy living and prevention of lifestyle diseases, this goal is certainly achievable.
So, let’s just do it.
Nursing Care for Seniors 