When Social Security first came into being, our life span was thought to be about 70 years at most. Since we have learned so much medically and nutritionally, people are living far longer. In 1776, someone born in the US was expected to live to about 35. Lifestyle and technical advances have more than doubled that figure. The National Institute of Aging projects that by the middle of the next century, life expectancy will be nearly 92 for women and 86 for men.
Today, more than 35 million are over the age of 65 (that’s about 1/7 th of the population – and with the baby boomers coming of age, the Census Bureau in the US predicts that the over 70 million born between 1946 and 1964 will reach retirement age.
Until recently, aging was regarded with disdain, with an expectancy of waning vigor and even social uselessness. But the stereotypes are slowly changing and some seniors are becoming more and more interested in true lifelong learning, healthy lifestyles and even political activism. We are truly seeing a population reinventing itself and living more consciously.
Negative Stereotypes
Even gerontologists no longer regard the negative stereotypes to which we have become accustomed as a natural outcome of aging. We no longer need to expect physical and mental decline in later years. Unfortunately, not everyone believes this and many still hold beliefs that keep them from aging gracefully.
The course- Embracing The Aging Process is meant to show its users that there is a way to age successfully and consciously, so that the later years can actually be ones of increased physical strength, continued intellectual growth and stimulation, ongoing meaningful ‘work’ or purposeful living, and a renewed sense of leaving a lasting legacy to future generations.
The aging process can become, not a time of crisis, but a time of increased self-development and spiritual growth. In the past, midlife was seen as the beginning of the end. Sociologists are now calling this period a time of ‘sage-ing’ where people are taking their place as elders rather than as the elderly. Our society will be a better place as this new group learns to use this wisdom in service, or what psychologists like Erikson and Jung have called, generativity
