We’re Living Longer Than Ever. And?
The life expectancy for Americans is nearly 78 years, the longest ever in U.S. history, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported yesterday. Great, we’re living longer. But, to my mind, if we don’t start earning it by doing more good in the world — stopping war, ending sexual violence, ending poverty, ending environmental damage — then what’s the point? I’m irritable.
Here’s a brief report from the CDC on The State of Aging and Health in America 2007.
September 13th, 2007 at 9:53 am
I’m not sure living longer is always a good thing. I always feel like I want to do something meaningful and great with my life, and then I realize that I AM raising two terrific kids with minds of their own and hopefully will earn some common sense with age and maturity.
Sometimes I feel like the individual needs to do more, and then I think ‘What can I do?’ – ergo, the epidemic
September 13th, 2007 at 10:05 am
“stopping war, ending sexual violence, ending poverty, ending environmental damage — then what’s the point?”
As long as there is mankind inhabiting planet Earth we will have those issues to deal with. Will they ever be solved? Probably not, but I do believe each generation tries to improve.
Living longer…yes. But the question in my mind will be healthy to enjoy those longer years? If not what’s the point? And who’s going to pay for it? I’ve had patients in their 50’s already living in nursing homes because of their obesity, how sad is that?
September 13th, 2007 at 10:13 am
I wouldn’t call living till 78 a LONG life. 70’s are the new 50’s in my book. Who wants to die in their 50’s? Tell them to go back and relook at the numbers. I’d like something in the 90’s please.
September 13th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Yes. Who wants to be a goofy, time wasting old person?
September 13th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
That’s for babies born now, I believe. It’s in the expected range for developed countries. Some countries are somewhat higher.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
My Grandma is 101 and will be 102 in December. Her mother lived to 102. My Mom – their progeny – is still kicking ass at age 76. On the other hand, my Dad died when he was 62. It’s a crapshoot for me, I guess…
September 13th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Actually “we” aren’t living longer. There is no “we.” Each person is going to live as long as they live.
Aside from that, I’m planning on living, and being sprightly, forever.
September 13th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I’m sorry that you are irritable ;( I felt that way last week. We just had this lecture in my Developmental class. We did the expectancy test, the lifeline/goals chart and then we did real.age.com. I am actually going to incorporate what you said about making a difference with this ‘gift’.
September 13th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
yes, there is a lot of crap in the world but there’s also a ton of good.
I can so relate to your being irritable-been there a few days myself. Some days the glass is half full, some days it’s half empty.
September 13th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
We’ve extended life way beyond the joy of living. Smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em. You’ll only loose the diaper wearing, not knowing who you are years.
September 13th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
But you are right.
September 13th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
With watching my parents decline, I don’t want to live a day past when I truly can take care of myself.
September 14th, 2007 at 7:56 am
I sat yesterday in the bookstore reading Superglobalization… our consumer desire to buy the cheapest products is not good for the environment at the same time that our desire as investors to make the most returns pushes companies to not make the best decisions for long-term. Our civic voices are hard to hear in today’s climate. It is a hard situation. Didn’t download the pdf but thnx for the link.
September 14th, 2007 at 8:10 am
[...] I always enjoy getting comments and reading the other mommy blogs. Angela and Rhea, left kind words and other Midlife Mommies – Motherpie, and Third Mom Margie left comments referring to the time flying by. I know, I know, I’ve also got two grown (step) kids and five grandchildren older than K. Every time I see them I act like a totally dorky grandmother. “My how you’ve grown! You must have shot up three inches since the last time I saw you” [...]
September 14th, 2007 at 8:29 am
I have always said that I want to live to be a very old lady and have my GREAT grandkids saying….come on Granny let’s go to Six Flags. I hope I can still be the first one in the car. I agree with 24 crayons. I raised two great, thought provoking, caring kids, who have become parents themselves, hopefully they can come up with a solution to some of the worlds misgivings. I know our generation has failed at it, as the many before us did.
September 14th, 2007 at 10:35 am
We were watching The Today Show yesterday morning at work while Willard Scott was doing his weekly round-up of old folks on the Smucker’s jars. It not only amazed me how old some of the people were but how good they looked for their ages. I’m not so sure I want to live to be that old, though. I get this sneaky feeling that retirement is going to be a lot more stressful than it is relaxing as the cost of living continues to rise and rise and rise. How does one support themselves into age 100+? On my retirement plan, it would be darned impossible and I sure can’t count on Social Security helping out – not the way its going.