Why It’s Good to Be Old, Even in a Pandemic

Why It’s Good to Be Old, Even in a Pandemic

That aging can make us better than ever may be the biggest dirty little secret of all time.

By Bob Brody

Eight out of every 10 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic reported in the United States have happened to adults 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(prəˈven(t)SH(ə)n). So you could be forgiven for concluding this is a lousy(ˈlouzē) time to be over 65.

But at age 68, much to my surprise, I find it to be decidedly wonderful.

How, you ask, could this possibly be true? Old means you’re history. Old means you’re falling apart. Old means your days are numbered. Taking such a sunny attitude flies in the face of the facts, especially now.

Granted, old age is often associated with negatives — growing frailty(ˈfrā(ə)ltē), declining(dəˈklīniNG) independence, the loss(lôs) of loved ones and the approach of our own death. Covid-19 has rendered life especially hellish(ˈheliSH) for almost everyone old. We’ve quarantined(ˈkwôrənˌtēn) ourselves with singular(ˈsiNGɡyələr) rigor(ˈriɡər), largely marooned(məˈro͞on) from others. We’ve skipped routine(ro͞oˈtēn) checkups and screenings with our family physicians(fəˈziSHən), potentially aggravating(ˈaɡrəvādiNG) our chronic(ˈkränik) illnesses(ˈilnəs). We’ve gone months without coming face-to-face with our families, much less hugging our children and playing with our grandchildren. We’ve lost friends and colleagues, suffering not only grief(ɡrēf) but also despair about when it will all end. I, too, am running scared, afraid of losing everything I hold dear.

Still, and perhaps against all odds, I’m having the time of my life. That aging can in so many respects make us better than ever may be the biggest dirty little secret of all time. Research shows that older individuals are less prone(prōn) to experience unpleasant(ˌənˈplezənt) emotions and to retain(rəˈtān) negative memories. “Older people are better positioned to cope with stresses, including this pandemic,” says Patty(ˈpadē) David, director of personal fulfillment at AARP.

In response to the pandemic, I’ve upped my game when it comes to my health. More often than ever now, I walk through parks, pause to admire flowers and listen to birds singing, and eat fresh fruits and vegetables to boost my immune(iˈmyo͞on) system. I rewatch videos of my toddler granddaughter, Lucia, and try, though seldom(ˈseldəm) successfully, to limit my daily intake of hard news.

…
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/28/well/live/aging-benefits-pandemic.html