None of us want to end up rolling down a nursing home hallway in a wheelchair, right?
If that’s how you feel, it raises a question…
What are you doing about it?
The reality is that the decisions you make now have a direct correlation with the odds of you ending up in that wheelchair. Are you making conscious decisions to improve your longevity, while you still can?
Today, I’m presenting Longevity Lessons from an impressive 91-year-old.
The guy you’re about to meet is fit, and a long way from rolling around in that dreaded wheelchair.
What can we learn from him?
More importantly, what can we apply in our own lives to improve our chances of being as healthy as he is in our 9th decade?
For those lessons, and others I learned while doing research for this article,
Read on…
If you want to maintain your mobility in old age, the key is to make the right decisions now. Today, longevity lessons we should all heed... Share on X
Longevity Lessons From A 91-Year-Old
Edward Thorpe (NOT the man in the photo above) is 91 years old and can do 2 pull-ups and 15 push-ups (can you?).
I get motivated by seeing “old” people doing things that many people (often decades younger) struggle to do, and I wonder “What’s their secret?” Is it purely genetic, or are there longevity lessons we can learn from older role models living the lives we hope to live when we reach their age?
I came across Edward in this article in Fortune (paywall, article summarized below), shared by my friend Joe Casey of Retirement Wisdom. In studying Edward and the longevity lessons he’s learned, I’ve realized the importance of applying those lessons now to reap the rewards in my later years. I also recognized their value for you, the reader, so I wrote this post to share the lessons for your benefit. Summarized below are the longevity lessons from Edward Thorpe, followed by some additional findings from my research on the topic.
1. Set A Goal For Longevity: In his own words, “The goal is to have a long life that’s also a healthy, productive one. As opposed to being in assisted living somewhere.” Edward has a goal that I can relate to.
2. Exercise Regularly: Edward states that “exercise is one of the magic bullets”, and “jogs and works out at the gym regularly.” He points to the benefits of exercise not only on lifespan (living longer), but on healthspan (healthy years). He focuses on aerobic (walking, short jogs), strength (particularly core strength), and flexibility (reduces your risk of falls, and “old people die from falls at a very high rate.”)
3. Study The Topic: “He analyzes scientific literature and manages his regimen carefully” (I found this impressive for a 91-year-old). His focus on flexibility, for example, comes from his research into the loss of flexibility and the resulting increasing risk of falls. He urges people to “think for themselves” and focus on things with a “preponderance of evidence in favor of them.” He tries to “be his own doctor” as much as possible (a related lesson I’m learning is the importance of listening to your body, you’re the only one who can truly “hear” it).
4. Diet: In his own words, “What one eats makes a huge difference. And the typical American diet is not very good.” He’s proud to point out that he weighs only 2 pounds more now than he did as a 17-year-old.
5. Minimize Risks: Edward speaks of going “through the list of main killers and seeing which things require the most attention.” He tries to “eliminate weak links” by focusing on the risks that can negatively impact life and doing everything possible to reduce them. Risks he’s identified include alcoholism, accidents, cardiovascular disease, and health-related issues. He has regular physical exams to catch any of the potential killers as early as possible.
6. Nutritional Supplements: Edward had a bone density test done in his mid-60’s, and discovered he had osteopenia (bone density loss). He’s reversed that loss by taking Boniva for three years, then shifting to Fosamax. He also takes calcium, magnesium, vitamin K, vitamin D supplements, and has solved his bone density issue. In addition, he takes Finasteride, a supplement for enlarged prostates.
7. Buy A Wearable Fitness Tracker: Edward uses an Apple Watch and Oura Ring and loves the statistics they provide. (On a related note, I wear a Fitbit and also love all of the stats!).
8. Read: Edward highlights a book I recently reviewed, Outlive, by Dr. Peter Attia. Again, I agree with his recommendation to read books and educate yourself on the importance of fitness and longevity.
He speaks of having both an “Offensive” (exercise) and “Defensive” (minimize risks) approach to longevity and focuses effort on both areas. It’s an interesting way to think about longevity, and it’s something that I’m applying to my life as a result of reading his profile.
When asked if he had an “edge” in his thinking about health, he responded with a great quote, which I’ll use to conclude this section (bold emphasis added by me):
“So if I have an edge, it’s that I try to think things through for myself, look at the empirical evidence, manage risks and work hard at making the necessary changes.”
The Role of Genetics vs. Lifestyle
Reading the profile on Edward got me thinking, so I did a bit more research on the topic of longevity. One of the first questions I wanted to answer was whether longevity is driven by genetics. If so, how much impact can we have by focusing on our lifestyle?
I came across this article in The Guardian, which states a “healthy lifestyle may offset genetics by 60% and add five years to life.” In addition, “people with unhealthy lifestyles have a 78% increased chance of early death, regardless of their genetic risk.” Further, “participants with high genetic risk could prolong approximately 5.22 years of life expectancy at age 40 with a favorable lifestyle.”
Sure, genetics matter. But there’s nothing we can do about our genetics, whereas there is a lot we can do about our lifestyle. Focus on the things you can control, which includes your lifestyle. Based on The Guardian article, the “optimal lifestyle combination” for a longer life was found to be:
- Never smoking,
- Regular physical activity,
- Adequate sleep duration and
- Healthy diet.
The Bottom Line: Lifestyle matters, and it’s within your control. Think of yourself at age 85, and ask yourself how much you’d value five more years of healthy living.
Start focusing on your lifestyle now.
Your future self will thank you.
9 Longevity Lessons From The Blue Zone
As my research continued, I came across a great article from Peter Diamandis titled “9 Lessons From The World’s Oldest People.” In the article, Peter summarizes the findings of researcher Dan Buettner, author of the famous Blue Zone books (Amazon affiliate link), which analyzes regions of the world where folks routinely live beyond 90. The findings are relevant for today’s article, so I included them below:
1. Incorporate Physical Activity into Daily Life: You can gain 3 years of life expectancy by simply going from zero to 20 minutes of physical activity a day. Building and maintaining muscle is crucial for folks over 60.
2. Find Your Purpose: “Having a purpose in life can add up to 7 years of extra life expectancy.” There’s a reason I focus so much on Purpose in my writing here on The Retirement Manifesto (and in my book). I’ve discovered Purpose in my retirement and have experienced how much it enhances my life. The added life expectancy is a bonus.
3. Downshift: “Downshifting means finding ways to unwind and reduce stress daily.” For me, spending time in the woods walking my dogs is a great way to unwind. What’s yours?
4. Aim to Be 80% Full: “This principle comes from an Okinawan adage to stop eating when your stomach is 80% full.” It’s based on the reality that there is a time delay between when you eat versus feeling full. (I’ll admit I need to work on this one…)
5. Eat a Whole-plant Diet: In studying Blue Zones, Buettner found residents consume about 20 pounds of meat annually (vs. 240 pounds for the average American). They also eat a cup of beans daily. Combined, making these changes in your diet “is associated with living about 4 years longer.”
6. Alcohol Intake: This one is interesting. While there are contradicting opinions, the research found that Blue Zone residents often drink 2 glasses of wine per day. Others feel the known risks of excessive alcohol consumption are too significant to risk. Make your own call, but keep it moderate if you choose to drink.
7. Spirituality: “Participation in faith-based services 4 times per month is associated with 4 to 14 extra years of life expectancy.” Yes, there’s more to Spirituality than attending church, but there is hard evidence of the value of worshiping with other believers.
8. Keeping Family Close By: In Blue Zones, folks don’t send their parents to nursing homes. Sure, it may be more convenient to the children, but living in a retirement home can lead to “a 2 to 6-year drop in life expectancy.”
9. Importance of Community: It’s important to choose your friends wisely. As Buettner states, “We know that if our three best friends are obese or overweight, there’s about a 150% better chance that you’ll be overweight.” Foster your relationships, and choose people who are as interested in their longevity as you are in yours.
In closing, Diamandis writes about the importance of having a “Longevity Mindset,” which he defines as “having a positive motivator stronger than the immediate gratification of unhealthy choices.” That reminds me of the same mindset we used while saving for retirement.
Finally, Diamandis adds that in a study of over 70,000 people, it was found that “optimistic people live as much as 15% longer than pessimists.”
Further Reading:
- 8 things Centurions Have in Common – an interview with 19 people between the ages of 100 and 107.
- “Healthy Aging Tips For Older Adults” – an article from the National Institue of Health
Conclusion: What About You?
You’ve read a lot of articles about the importance of fitness and diet. Today, you read another one. The findings are clear. Having a positive mindset and keeping a Longevity Mindset as you make daily decisions to live a healthy life WILL increase your lifespan.
The one question for you is this…
Are you making longevity an area of focus in your life? Are you making changes to your lifestyle to improve your odds of a longer and healthier life? I hope I don’t come across as “preachy,” but the reality is that I feel strongly this topic is too important to ignore as we age. Let’s face it…
…It’s time to stop making excuses. (after all, we don’t have THAT much time left)
The one thing worse than being in that wheelchair is rolling down that nursing home hallway with regrets, knowing you could have done something about it…
While you still had time.
Your Turn: Are you thinking more about longevity as you’re getting older? I’ve made it a focus in my life (especially in retirement) and I’m proud of the steps I’m taking to keep myself as healthy as possible. How about you? What lessons most resonated with you? What changes are you planning as a result? Let’s chat in the comments…
Great food for thought and have to do. 81 and going strong, thanks.
A mere 81 and already reading a retirement blog? Wink. Best of luck on your next 20 years, happy to have you on The Retirement Manifesto team!
Great one, Fritz! Couple items to add:
1. Work in balance exercises ( a wobble board is inexpensive and great for balance, core and more)
2. Add resistance work outs 2-3 times a week. As we age many folks switch from weights to stretchable bands ( a set is under $15). Protect ( and add to) skeletal muscle!
3. Protein. Would encourage readers to look at the benefits of a higher protein diet ( especially as we age).
Bravo, and thanks for your blog, Fritz!!
I remember when my Dad had to move into assisted living. I was waiting for him that first day as he was being transferred from the rehab center. He was about 2 hours late. So, I was a guest sitting in the lobby. There were about 10 residents in the area in wheelchairs. No one was talking to each other. Just sitting there, many nodding off. Probably just due to boredom. I had always told everyone that my goal was to live to 100. After watching this lifestyle, I told my wife, if this was living to 100, then I wanted nothing to do with it!
Your piece reminds us that we can act now to make better then. As Jim Saulnier says, your older you will thank your younger you. Thank you for the oiece
Jack,
I just moved my mom into assisted living after my dad died, and had the same feeling. So the things now for a healthy lifestyle and “health style” and we won’t regret it.
Also, love Jim and Chris’ podcast, too!
Do you have a link to the podcast?
It’s called https://www.theretirementandirashow.com/
You will like it
Jack – thanks for sharing your story (and the podcast link). I spent a lot of time in a nursing home in my Dad and Mother-In-Law’s final years, and became motivated to do everything within my power to reduce my chances of ending up there. If it happens, it happens, but at least I’ll have no regrets for trying…
Thank you!!! Need to watch myself when I am out and about. I just snack to much when I am bored of the outing or the conversation. Also I have to learn Do I really need to eat two doughnuts? Why am I standing while I am eating?
Snacking is a tough one. I used to have ice cream almost every night. A few years ago, I made the switch to frozen grapes, and haven’t had ice cream in a long time. Doughnuts…well, that’s another story. 😉
I recently did the Camino Santiago with a group of folks from a CCC – I was one of the youngest walkers at 70, the three oldest were 85. We regularly had fellow pilgrims come up to congratulate us on the strength of the oldest walkers. When I returned home, I realized that the very best part of the 85 mile experience was the wisdom shared by the older women who were positive, energetic, flexible in expectations and extremely well read and well traveled. They gifted me a vision of the future that did not include sitting in a nursing home.
That walk sounds amazing! Glad you were able to do it, to see new sights and meet interesting people. Walking with others can sometimes lead to very interesting conversations, seems like the rhythm of the walk can be perfect for more meaningful discussions or listening to longer tales at a slower pace.
MdH, oh to have been a fly on your shoulder during that walk. I can only imagine the wisdom you gained from your inspirational elders. No doubt, older people who are living great lives can be inspirational to us all, you’re fortunate to have spent quality time in their presence.
Yay you❣️ One of my Vedic Sattva yoga teachers lives there and holds retreats. I would love to do that walk.
A topic that has moved way up my priority list since retiring! Attia talks about medicine 2.0 not being sufficiently proactive to provide us data required for long and healthy life. As an engineer, I admit a bias for meaningful data and my annual physical was not cutting it. So my wife and I recently paid for our own Dexa scan and VO2 max test as insurance does not cover. My wife was in the top 5% of all scores, and me….well not even average! She goes to the gym every day, I’m busy on the farm and thought that was sufficient. It is not! So we have work to do. Thanks for highlighting!
Attia motivated me, as well. I’ve not taken the plunge yet on the Dexa or VO2 max test, but I’ve been considering it. Definitely a great metric to know where you stand, and highlight the fact that farm work alone isn’t getting you where you need to be. Time to add in some cardio and weights!
Tending to mental well-being is also important. There’s a psychosomatic link to many of the chronic illnesses that follow us into old age.
Spot on, Mona. Thanks for adding that important element to Health Span! I’ve probably written more articles on mental attitude than any other topic, and agree with you that having a healthy mindset is a critical part of a life well lived.
I agree that bad lifestyle choices can reduce your lifespan, but I’ve seen way too many friends die young to think they are more than just incrementally beneficial. Two of my best friends died in their fifties just last year. They were athletic and had purpose and they still died. My wife and I are very athletic, very slim and have joyful lives. Maybe we’ll live to 100 or maybe we won’t make it to lunch time. That’s not in our control. What is, is finding purpose in each day we are given. Something you do a great job at and something we are attempting to do as well.
I agree 100%, Steve. There are certainly a wide variety of things outside our control, and when it’s “our time,” it’s time. That said, we might as well do as much as we can with the elements that are within our control to tilt the odds in our favor. I hope you have a nice dinner tonight (and, for the next four decades!).
I watched the Blue Zone series, I believe on Netflix?. Very interesting insights.
My parents lived to 97(Dad) and 95(Mom) and they weee ALWAYS on the move. My Dad attended coffee club every morning, my mom had 3 or 4 bridge clubs, PEO and church circle. In summers, they live at the lake cabin where my Dad was on the go all day long, “putting around”. Cabinmlife had them at happy hour many evenings before dinner for a “bump” and visiting. Their diet wasn’t great, but 3 square meals a day. They lived in assisted living for 3 years in their home town before moving to a facility near my siblings, which was much better as they could spend more time with family.
Their life is what I strive to achieve.
Nice post, Fritz
It sounds like you have some genetics on your side, Dave. I hope you achieve the same in your life as they were able to achieve in theirs.
PS – I had to laugh…I read your Dad attended coffee club and was ALWAYS on the move…I wonder how much coffee he drank during those club meetings? 😉
I do these things since losing 35 pounds 12 years ago. Another significant advantage to this lifestyle is how much it improves your PRESENT. You are able to move better, feel lighter, run up steps, clothes fit better. I am 61. I definitely have the goals of staying active for a long time.
Great addition to the discussion, Mark. I was going to make a point about how much being health improves your PRESENT as well, but the article was too long as it was. Thanks for sharing your personal example to highlight the reality of the benefits being healthy brings to life. And, congrats on losing 35 pounds, and keeping it off. Impressive.
Most of this is just good advice for anyone, especially seniors, but I have a couple of comments.
My mother-in-law passed away this week at age 84. She had advanced Alzheimer’s but died from a sudden cardiac arrest. She was always thin and ate healthy, never smoked, barely ever drank, and walked several miles a day. There is no family history of Alzheimer’s. Stuff happens even when you do everything “right.” That’s not to say that you shouldn’t do everything within your own power to have a long, healthy life. But it doesn’t mean that you “failed” if you don’t. (I think also of several friends who died in their 60s despite healthy lifestyles.)
Also, the “nursing home” item needs to be considered further. My mother-in-law moved into a memory care facility earlier this year. It was not a step anyone wanted to take, but she was not safe at home, and her 80-something husband wasn’t able to keep caring for her properly. Hiring in-home care is prohibitively expensive and not as reliable as people think. It wasn’t about “convenience” for her kids (my husband and his sister). We live 400 miles away and are still working. If one is aging and expects their kids to care for them, they should move closer to their kids and also be sure that those kids are able and willing to provide the support the parents hope for. (When my MIL’s cognitive decline was becoming obvious, we urged my husband’s stepfather to move them close to us so that we could help them, but he was comfortable where they were.) Families can be complicated. For that matter, not everyone has kids.
“Families can be complicated….”
Great points, Dana, and a great addition to the discussion. No doubt, doing what we can to increase our odds isn’t foolproof. So sorry to hear about the loss of your mother-in-law, a perfect example of “stuff happens even when you do everything right.” That said, I do believe there’s value in doing what we can to increase the odds in our favor.
As for nursing homes, I couldn’t agree more. My mother-in-law lived with us for four years, but the time came where she was simply too dependent for us to give her the best care, and (based on a Doctor’s recommendation), she did move into a nursing home for her last few years. That was in spite of the reality that we lived in the same town. As you so eloquently state, the problem becomes much more severe when the nearest family is miles away (and even more difficult when there are no children in the family).
Thanks for adding balance to the article, much appreciated.
Dementia is Type 3 diabetes. Only the US continues to call it dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Nonsense. Where did you get that idea? It’s called dementia worldwide.
Going on 60 in January and have an adult special-needs son that still lives with me. My financial advisor just cleared me to buy a house instead of renting post divorce. I hope to die in place because I can’t afford nor want long-term care and he has no one else to rely on.
I have a daily Vedic Sadhana practice, walk 3-4 miles every day and increasing since the move to this new location, eat well but can’t get out of pre-diabetic state. Keto and fasting raises cortisol = weight gain. Meat puts on wt.🤷🏻♀️
So my goals are getting out of this pre-diabetic state and finding purpose since the pandemic killed my business and ageism is real.
Another thought-provoking read from you! I’m preparing to retire at the end of the year, and taking steps to improve my health. It’s not that it’s bad, but I’ve had a desk job for almost my entire career, and my bones and muscles (or lack of) are bothering me. I want to stay off the pills and get into a regular exercise program instead of once in awhile. So much to do, and I’ll have the time! Thanks for all you write, it provides so much good to think about.
Thanks for your kind words about my writing, and congratulations on your rapidly approaching Starting Line, and the much needed freedom to MOVE!
Fritz~ Another GREAT article and you are right on target with advice for longevity. I try and limit my TOXICITY, junk on TV, in newspapers and social media. My recommendation on taking care of your wellness: 1. EXERCISE 30 MINUTES A DAY 5 DAYS A WEEK (That’s low for me!) 2. AVOID OR LIMIT ALCOHOL (Moderation) 3. WATCH YOUR WEIGHT (scale near bathroom mirror) 4. A LOW SALT DIET (No table salt for me for 45 years!!) 5. READ TO FEED (Grow until you go) 6. PRAY EVERYDAY (Replace worry, with prayer).
GREAT!? All capitals?! Wow, I’m honored. Wink. I love your 6 recommendations, spot on. Thanks for your continued loyalty to my work, much appreciated.
Ed Thorpe is a very interesting dude. Check out his book “A Man for All Markets”. He developed a method for winning at black jack, then became a very successful early hedge fund guy. “Fortune’s Formula” is another interesting book.
Sabine, the breadth of your knowledge never ceases to amaze me. Are there any books you HAVEN’T read? Wink. Also, thanks for the recent Freedom For Fido donation – that means more to Jackie and I than you’ll ever know (and, hope you don’t mind, but you deserved a public “Thank You” for that one!).
One thing about Ed Thorpe is that I get the impression that he’s not all that happy. I think perhaps it’s because his self-image doesn’t match the public’s view of his legacy. In some ways just letting the body get old and slowly transitioning from this life to whatever comes next as we enter old age is important. Perhaps a “good death” is one that is gradual, rather than abrupt: the physical world recedes as our senses weaken and we turn inward, moving on to a more spiritual perception of reality.
Insightful comment, Sabine. I agree a “good death” is the better goal, embracing the reality of aging gracefully and enjoying every day we’re blessed with. That said, I’ll still keep the focus on longevity, too! 😉
Great Article!!! My wife and I (mid 60’s) were talking about longevity this morning as we logged a 4 mile walk before going to the gym for a boot camp class. We are both in good shape and look forward to a long productive and purposeful life.
I would encourage readers to take a positive view on independent/assisted care facilities. My 97 year old mother moved into a facility 7 years ago and she loves it. She swims 3 days a week, attends book club, art classes and a weekly Bible study. She has a group of friends that play cards with her during the week and they eat dinner together most evenings. She also runs a small ministry that she started by visiting residents that are in the full blown nursing care unit at her place every few days.
There are some really nice facilities out there, so you have to do your research. These are not cheap options, but if has worked great for her. The crazy thing is…we know of others who’s parents moved to the same facility and hated it. They just sat around and dd not want to meet people or engage in activities. This is a great reminder that we can chose to live a happy and involved life with purpose, or we can sit in a corner and be miserable.
Keep these articles coming….
Interesting story, Robert. I believe your attitude about a situation in many ways becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. My intention is to be content, wherever my journey takes me. Glad to hear your mother is enjoying the facility, sounds like she’s taking full advantage of it. I hope to do the same, if my path leads into a nursing home hallway at some point…
If I hadn’t read the results of my last DEXA scan, I would never have known I have osteopenia. Doc hasn’t said a word about it, and I don’t know if that’s because of inattention, or if it’s just expected in a mid 60s person and they see no need to intervene. I don’t want to be like my mother and suffering from spontaneous spinal fractures when I’m in my mid-80s.
I am concerned, and will be broaching the subject at my next checkup. Thanks for this article, and all your other writings too. I really do enjoy reading them.
You’re taking a play out of Ed’s playbook, Lynne. Kudo’s for “being your own doctor” and understanding what’s important. Shame on your doc, too. 🙁
Yoga! It’s never too late to start. And ad yoga is not just stretching. It’s the breath with movement, it can be spirituality- if you dive into yogic text and its community.
My mom is 94 and amazing… she has a full and beautiful life. I’m working on the same!
I’ve got to admit, Betty, yoga is one thing I’ve not done yet. My wife and I were taking a Barre Above class for several years, which is a variation on yoga with a lot of stretching. Enjoyed it, but the instructor retired and the class is no longer available in our small town. 🙁
Fritz, enjoyed the post. Agree that exercise makes a huge difference in a person’s emotional state and ability to perform efficiently.
Have you tried pickleball yet? I’ve run, walked and biked for years but playing pickleball for the last year and a half has been much more enjoyable. Great exercise and social interaction.
Thanks for your time posting.
Aubrey, is there anyone left alive who hasn’t tried Pickleball yet? Smiles. We actually have “Fido Family” (members of my wife’s charity) courts reserved 2 days a week, and random members of the charity show up to get involved. I agree it’s a great game, and there’s good reason that it’s become so popular among retirees.
One of the most inspirational people I’ve met is Clarence Boesenberg of Iowa who is now 98 years old. I met him in 2017 when he rode his bicycle 400 plus miles across the state of Iowa in one week during the RAGBRAI bike ride. His bicycle was parked unattended and the “license plate” on his bike said “91 and having fun”.
I told myself I need to hang around and meet the person riding this bike. He returned to his bike and we chatted for a few minutes. Clarence is an amazing man. It’s worth a few minutes to watch this video. Google his name and you will find many articles and videos. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdgIFohcFEQ
YES, YES, and YES! I’m happy to now know, officially, Jim and I on the right track. Love you Fritz!
Fritz,
My step dad lived until the month before his 94th birthday. He had a goal to make it to 100. From the late 1960s until the late 1990s, he ran 5Ks, 10Ks, Half marathons and Marathons, every year. From 1974 to 1984, he ran in 10 Consecutive Marine Corp Marathons, in Washington, DC. He was in the US Army for 24 years and a US Capitol Police officer for 16 years. He retired in 1985 and died in 2018. He had a stroke on Mother’s Day, 2017 and spent his last year of life in assisted living. From 2011 when my mother died at 81, he lived with my wife and I. Until he went into the assisted living facility, he was still on an elliptical machine daily, and he did pushups and setups daily, as well, right after his daily nap from 12:30 until 2:30.
I retired in January, 2024, at age 73 and 4 months. Since February 7th, I have been going to the Gym three days a week, 45 minutes on a treadmill and 20-30 minutes on various weights and weight machines. I just celebrated my 1 year anniversary on the Carnivore Diet. I lost 61 pounds in that year, and lowered my A1c from 6.4 to 5.5 during the same period. I still have a ways to go, but I am committed to the diet and exercise for the next year. One day, and one year at a time.
I am still in my honeymoon phase of retirement, just enjoying the fact that no one but me decides anything in my life, dear wife excepted, of course. I remember the day in March when I became aware, for the first time, that I no longer had any “weight on my shoulders.” I was actually FREE. What a tremendous feeling.
When the honeymoon is over, I will begin my quest to find that retirement purpose we are all supposed to have. I will most likely use my 54 years of financial services experience to assist seniors with taxes and retirement planning issues, like Social Security and Medicare Planning. I spent the last 15 years of my life as a college professor, teaching those skills, after practicing them for over 38 years.
Love your Site and your regular articles.
Fritz,
I don’t know what it is about your articles that hit a nerve in me. I’m a consistent reader – you’ve got that, but I just feel like sometimes you’re writing to a limited set of readers. Let me just say this: I won’t be forwarding this article to my disabled friend who is getting ready to retire and may be interested in retirement topics. This has had to hit a nerve with someone other than me. I’m just trying to keep it real and feel like more sensitivity is needed in the role you have.
Bob, my next door neighbor, passed away a few years ago at the age of 91. He was a lifelong aviator who flew combat missions in the Korean War. After a full career in the Air Force he flew commercial for Saudi Arabia starting with DC-3’s on desert landing strips and ending with 747’s to Hong Kong. A heat attack forced him to retire, but he continued to fly his own airplane for years. The last few years of his life I would visit regularly. We’d sit on the porch and talk about flying while he smoked a cigarette, or two. His daughter wouldn’t let him smoke in his house. He was sharp and mostly active until the end – it’s most important to live and not worry about all the do’s and don’ts…
If it is possible as one gets older…
1. Work hard to revert back to your child hood personality
2. Or hang around young personalities (Half Full mindset)