As Americans live longer than ever before and the ones born today could expect to celebrate their 90th birthday and beyond there are questions they need to ask themselves.
The University of California, Irvines Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI Mind) has studied elderly individuals as part of its 90+ Study since 2003, analyzing the ways in which nearly 2,000 participants go about their lives in their 90s and 100s, as well as what may have contributed to that longevity and underlying cognitive disabilities they may or may not know they have.
60 Minutes met with a few participants including a World War II veteran and a ballroom dancer six years apart and recently reported that many continued to thrive. Some participants had an iPhone and were on Facebook, and others were exercising in any capacity they could. While a few of the participants were losing their cognitive abilities, others were mentally agile, able to answer questions and formulate calculations at the tops of their heads.
They also remember vivid memories one participant said he recalls buying his first car, a 1931 Chevy convertible, for $18 in a pool hall because the seller needed the money to shoot pool. When asked how old the 99-year-old feels, I always say 69, he told CBS reporter Lesley Stahl.
While these golden agers might seem uncommon now, the future will see many more. Half of children born this decade can expect to see their 103rd or 104th birthday, Claudia Kawas, co-principal investigator of The 90+ Study, told CBS. And if other Americans expect to follow suit, living well into their 80s, 90s or even 100s, theyll need to think carefully about the time ahead of them.
Here are a few questions they can consider:
See: Want to solve the retirement crisis? Invest $7,500 for every baby born in America
How many things will I be when I grow up?
Parents and teachers used to ask children what they wanted to become when they were older, but the question will likely need to change to what jobs as in, plural will people want to take on as an adult, said Joe Coughlin, director of the MIT AgeLab and author of The Longevity Economy. You are seeing in this pandemic a propellant of what education will be like, he said. Theyll have to continue learning.
Some older Americans may already be seeing that, as they switch jobs or advance their careers as technology pushes society forward. There are now social media analysts, data scientists, even remote learning consultants positions that did not exist only a few decades ago. Nancy Schlossberg, an author and former counseling professor, said shes experienced it herself moving from a job as a professor and author to a consultant for Zoom programs on transitions in life.
Workers will need to stay adaptable, Coughlin said, meaning they will need to brush up on the latest skill sets and be ready to grow as their fields change.
Not only can people expect to change jobs and career fields numerous times in their lifetimes, but even what they do in retirement, Schlossberg said. There are six types of retirees, she found in her research, including ones who choose not to have any big plans in retirement and those who start a hobby theyve always longed to try.
With whom will I live this long life?
Choosing a significant other to share lifes journey with may become an even bigger commitment than it already is, especially if you marry in your 30s and expect to live into your 90s, Coughlin said. Were not talking about 25 years or the rarity of 50, he said. Celebrating a golden anniversary, or longer, could become commonplace. But that also depends on if the marriage will last. Of course, many Americans divorce even in their older age and some may choose to stay single, date or find another spouse with whom they can spend their later years.
Not everyone needs a spouse, but when thinking about a long life ahead, individuals do need to think about who may be around them in that time. They should plan for how they expect to interact with children, grandchildren, other family members, friends and even neighbors. A crucial question to get sorted out is this: Who will take care of you when youre old or sick? This may be a significant other, it may be a relative or a family friend, or it may be a health care professional but knowing that answer and discussing it at length with the other person is important to ensuring your wishes are met, as are theirs.
There are also social clubs, online communities and other ways to strike up new friendships. Socializing is an important part of living a long, happy life.
Can I afford it?
Longevity is a blessing, but it can also become a burden if an individual is not adequately prepared financially for this long life. Because of the pandemic, about half of workers over age 55 will be poor or near-poor at 65 years old, defined as living on less than $20,000 a year, according to the New School.
The COVID-19 crisis may make it harder for some Americans to live comfortably in old age perhaps because of a job loss, brief but significant investment losses or the need to withdraw money from a retirement account but even without the pandemic, workers need to think about how their money will last them for decades, not years, in retirement. A healthy 65-year-old could expect to live at least 30 more years in retirement, which means every dollar they have saved and invested will count. Because of this increased longevity, some Americans may choose, or need, to work longer to make ends meet.
You have to worry about getting unlucky and living to 100, Richard Thaler, the 2017 economics Nobel Prize winner, said during a Brookings Institution event last year. Theyll need to focus on saving and preserving those assets, as opposed to spending them down in retirement.
Also see: How robots and your smart fridge can keep you pit of a nursing home
What should I do with all of that time in old age?
What will fulfill you during this next phase of your life? Thats one major question to ask yourself, said Thomas Malone, author of Superminds: The Surprising Power of People and Computers Thinking Together. You can say wisdom is not just the ability to achieve your goals, but to work toward the right goals, he said.
For some, this may be leaving behind a legacy. It sounds philosophical, but one way to determine a persons next steps is to think of what provides the greatest good for the greatest number of people, Malone said. What gives people fulfillment is working toward something bigger than yourself, he said. Finding the answer might become easier as a person ages, because theyll have experiences they can rely on.
But retirement is also a chance to enjoy yourself and take up a hobby or interest you couldnt do in the earlier parts of your life, Malone said.
Coughlin said your life can be broken up into 8,000-day intervals: from birth to college is 8,000 days; from college to midlife is 8,000 days; from midlife to retirement is 8,000 days; and then retirement itself can be another 8,000 days, he said.
How do we want to live life tomorrow? Coughlin asked. Its not just about planning but preparing. We need to physically put things in place about where we live, get around, give and receive care. This is more than putting enough money in the bank its about living longer and better.
View post:
4 questions to ask yourself about living to 100 because there's a chance you will - MarketWatch
- 107 Years of Grace: Mary Pilgrim on love & longevity - WFLA - May 5th, 2024
- A 100-year-old musician shares the secrets of his longevity - Business Insider - May 5th, 2024
- I tried the longevity regime and felt its benefits in days - The Telegraph - May 5th, 2024
- Winter Haven woman celebrating 107th birthday shares her secret to longevity - FOX 13 Tampa - May 5th, 2024
- Livermore Falls woman, 96, says the key to her longevity is living a healthy life - Lewiston Sun Journal - May 5th, 2024
- Why ovaries are so crucial to women's health and longevity - National Geographic - May 5th, 2024
- How to lead a meaningful and positive second half of life. - Psychology Today - May 5th, 2024
- A longevity revolution is coming. Heres how those over 100 are making the most of their lives - The Guardian - May 5th, 2024
- Jeff Bridges credits wife, 48-year marriage with his longevity - Business Insider - May 5th, 2024
- Rare Longevity Mutation Linked to Unexpected Cardiovascular Benefits - SciTechDaily - May 5th, 2024
- We should stop using the term 'reverse aging,' scientists say - Business Insider - May 5th, 2024
- Expert Opinions on Inflammaging and Aging Rapid Effects, Soothing Benefits, Longevity, Anti-senescence and More - Cosmetics & Toiletries - May 5th, 2024
- Are We Talking About Health and Longevity All Wrong? - InsideHook - May 5th, 2024
- The importance of longevity literacyand managing the risksin retirement - Insurance News Net - May 5th, 2024
- Inside the longevity lab that aims to help people live longer - TODAY - February 27th, 2024
- I'm a longevity expert these are the 4 supplements I take every day to fight aging - New York Post - February 27th, 2024
- The Longest Living People In the World All Abide by the 'Power 9' Rule - GQ - February 27th, 2024
- Im a longevity expert and there's six things you should do daily if you want to live longer' - Daily Record - February 27th, 2024
- Reducing the metabolic burden of rRNA synthesis promotes healthy longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans - Nature.com - February 27th, 2024
- Presidio Federal's Thad Anderson Receives WashingtonExec's Longevity Award - WashingtonExec - February 27th, 2024
- Faces of wealth, intellect and longevity, as revealed by veteran face reader - The Korea Herald - February 27th, 2024
- I'm a longevity expert here are the best foods to eat for a long and healthy life - New York Post - February 27th, 2024
- Danny Care: 'Pilates Has Helped with the Longevity of My Career' - Men's Health UK - February 27th, 2024
- Give Me This Mountain | Tips for Spiritual Longevity - Harvest.org - February 27th, 2024
- Chris Hemsworth did a 4-day fast to reverse aging. His trainer played a cheeky joke to test his willpower. - Yahoo Canada Shine On - February 27th, 2024
- Pet longevity is a spark about to turn into a wildfire - Longevity.Technology - February 27th, 2024
- The Longevity of Bitcoin's Bull Run; Polkadot and Up-and-Coming Memecoin Draw Crowds - Analytics Insight - February 27th, 2024
- 'This is weird': Experts 'shocked' by record-breaking longevity of Death Valley's phantom lake - Livescience.com - February 27th, 2024
- Understanding the Longevity of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Responses to Infection and Vaccination - Medriva - February 27th, 2024
- Experts agree: The fasting-mimicking diet may be the key to longevity - Longevity.Technology - February 27th, 2024
- Daily habits of a longevity expert : TED Radio Hour - NPR - December 30th, 2023
- Why does fruitcake last so long? Ingredients and preparation of the dessert play into its longevity - Fox News - December 30th, 2023
- Interviews of 2023: the longevity companies - Longevity.Technology - December 30th, 2023
- Nancy Wilson Discusses Longevity of Heart & Family Drama Within the Band Ahead of New Year's Eve Show in Seattle - American Songwriter - December 30th, 2023
- What Will It Take To Make Super-Aging Not So Super-White? - Well+Good - December 30th, 2023
- Arteta on Moyes and longevity in coaching | Quotes | News - Arsenal.com - December 30th, 2023
- New Years resolution guide: 5 steps to a healthier 2024 from a longevity expert - Fox News - December 30th, 2023
- Interviews of 2023: the longevity visionaries - Longevity.Technology - December 30th, 2023
- The Top 11 Longevity Tips Of 2023, From The mindbodygreen Podcast | mindbodygreen - mindbodygreen - December 30th, 2023
- Why LeBron James' longevity is unmatched in the NBA | Good Word with Goodwill - Yahoo Sports - December 30th, 2023
- Short vs long fasts: What is the ideal length for longevity? - Longevity.Technology - December 30th, 2023
- Centenarians share the secrets to living a long, healthy life - Fox Business - December 30th, 2023
- Rob Lowe on Turning 60 Soon & His Secret to Career Longevity (Exclusive) - Extra - December 30th, 2023
- Investigating the longevity and diversity of South Asian miniature traditions - STIRworld - December 30th, 2023
- The Silent Threat of Hypochondria: Impact on Longevity and Health - Medriva - December 30th, 2023
- Longevity: What lifestyle habits could help you live to 100? - December 22nd, 2023
- Aiming for longevity - Harvard Health - December 22nd, 2023
- How Long Can We Live? - The New York Times - December 22nd, 2023
- This Was the Year of Obsessing Over Longevity - GQ - December 22nd, 2023
- Menopause Age Looms Over Women. Efforts to Prevent it Could Extend Fertility. - Bloomberg - December 22nd, 2023
- Longevity: Is exercise the key to a longer, healthier life? - Medical News Today - December 22nd, 2023
- The #1 Sign You'll Live to 100, According to Longevity Experts - Gwinnettdailypost.com - December 22nd, 2023
- Cowboys Take On Dolphins, How Longevity Factors Into Hall of Fame Election and More - The 33rd Team - December 22nd, 2023
- Longevity Hacks Are Coming to Your Gym - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - December 22nd, 2023
- 106-year-old woman shares hobbies, habits she says helped longevity - Business Insider - December 22nd, 2023
- Tips to Improve Your Health & Longevity in the New Year - KATU - December 22nd, 2023
- NN Group gets 13bn longevity risk transfer with Prudential and Swiss Re - Reinsurance News - December 22nd, 2023
- A fresh perspective on longevity - savannahmagazine - December 22nd, 2023
- Este Lauder targets age reversal with Stanford Center on Longevity partnership - Cosmetics Business - December 22nd, 2023
- Longevity means taking a proactive approach to prevention - Longevity.Technology - December 22nd, 2023
- Decoding Longevity: Centenarian Traits and Aging Research - BNN Breaking - December 22nd, 2023
- Brain Age: The Science of Cognitive Longevity - BNN Breaking - December 22nd, 2023
- The Role of Exercise in Longevity: A Holistic Approach to Health and Fitness - Medriva - December 22nd, 2023
- Get interventions to market and to people faster and cheaper - Longevity.Technology - December 22nd, 2023
- Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests - May 17th, 2023
- The ingredients for a longer life - BBC Future - May 17th, 2023
- Life Expectancy by State 2023 - World Population Review - May 17th, 2023
- About Us - Fountain Life - May 17th, 2023
- Longevity: The Keys to Slow the Aging Process - Dr. Axe - March 29th, 2023
- "I got a 20-year contract. Giannis is going to play for 20 more years" - Mike Budenholzer on the longevity of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the... - January 23rd, 2023
- "I think Nadal has been doing a great job of that in the last four or five years": McEnroe believes Murray needs to shorten points for... - January 23rd, 2023
- Jon Voight is 'blessed' to have had such a long Hollywood career - Yakima Herald-Republic - November 7th, 2022
- USD Index to sink to 103 by end-2023 amid greater certainty and longevity of Dollar downtrend Westpac - FXStreet - November 7th, 2022
- Retirement Calculator | Northwestern Mutual - October 15th, 2022
- The Longevity Investors Conference Gstaad brought together longevity experts and deep-pocketed investors - Cointelegraph - October 15th, 2022
- Do you think ageing can be reversed? Here are 12 longevity startups to watch - Sifted - October 15th, 2022
- 'SNL' Gig Was a Risk Rob Lowe Credits for His Longevity: 'I Had People in My Life Telling Me - TheWrap - October 15th, 2022
- Wellness and longevity brand Serotonin Centers to open in Nashville - Tennessean - October 15th, 2022
- Lesley Stahl on longevity of '60 Minutes': 'That clock is still there' - USA TODAY - October 15th, 2022
- 4 Recipes With Corn, Beans, and SquashThe Three Sisters Ingredients That Blue Zone Centenarians in Costa Rica Eat Every Day - Well+Good - October 15th, 2022