Alfred A. Rosenbloom Jr., OD, MA, DOS, FAAO

Most people disdain the aging process. To me, it is “much ado about nothing.” Age 65 is neither the beginning nor, it is hoped, the end of anything. It is a number, nothing more, nothing less. Life does not begin at age 50 or 65 or any particular age. Scientists refer to seasons or stages in the life cycle. There are tasks of “oldhood” just as there are tasks of childhood.

Most people disdain the aging process. To me, it is “much ado about nothing.” Age 65 is neither the beginning nor, it is hoped, the end of anything. It is a number, nothing more, nothing less. Life does not begin at age 50 or 65 or any particular age. Scientists refer to seasons or stages in the life cycle. There are tasks of “oldhood” just as there are tasks of childhood.

Aging is a universal phenomenon involving significant sensory, motor and cognitive changes in response to our advancing years. However, we do not all age at the same rate. Some individuals experience relative rapid declines in physiological and psychological functioning as they grow older, while others undergo significantly less pronounced changes over time.

Attitudes of professionals and of the general public toward the elderly are very similar. In 1969, Dr. Robert Butler coined the term “ageism” to describe the phenomenon of discrimination against elderly people in American society.

People are living longer. In 1970, the average life expectancy at birth was 70.8 years; in 2000, it was 76.9 years; and by 2030, it is estimated that the number of those 85 and older will be growing four times faster than any other segment of the population. This group of “oldest-old” could comprise up to 10 million people. Aging, however, no longer necessarily means physical decline and illness. In the last 2 decades, the rate of disability among older people has declined dramatically.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. It is the most comprehensive federal civil rights law specifically for people with disabilities.

“Older workers” are defined by the federal government as 40 years or older. These individuals will remain in the workforce at least 5 years longer than their parents did. As they move into their fifth, sixth, and seventh decades, they have already had a marked impact on the corporate culture.