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Most Older Americans Say Senior Years Are Best Time of Life

Wed, 04/12/2000 - 12:00am — Karen Stevenson
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The National Council on Aging released results of a study "Myths and Realities of Aging 2000", which indicated most Americans would be happy if they lived to be 90. Nearly half of the respondents age 65 and over described the present as the best years of their lives. The survey showed that in the minds of many people old age begins with a decline in physical or mental ability, rather than reaching a certain age. The survey indicated that younger people tend to overstate the financial and social isolation problems of older people, and that older people are less worried about their health, their finances, and the threat of crime than they were 25 years ago.

The survey also showed "middle age" is whatever you want to make of it. Half the respondents aged 65-69 and one third of those in their 70's said they still consider themselves middle-aged!

The National Council on Aging released results of a study "Myths and Realities of Aging 2000", which indicated most Americans would be happy if they lived to be 90. Nearly half of the respondents age 65 and over described the present as the best years of their lives. The survey showed that in the minds of many people old age begins with a decline in physical or mental ability, rather than reaching a certain age. The survey indicated that younger people tend to overstate the financial and social isolation problems of older people, and that older people are less worried about their health, their finances, and the threat of crime than they were 25 years ago.

The survey also showed "middle age" is whatever you want to make of it. Half the respondents aged 65-69 and one third of those in their 70's said they still consider themselves middle-aged!