People have long commented that 40 is the new 30, but in recent years the question has become: Is 60 the new 40? Is 70 the new 50? The answer is yes!

Sophia Loren once said, “There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.”

Today, seniors are breaking through barriers, discovering new talents and following new dreams.

Respect

The generation that came of age with Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” anthem and Bob Dylan’s “Hurricane,” isn’t wired to age quietly. They are moving toward retirement with strength and excitement. They are defying stereotypes and redefining life after 50.

In the United States, sometimes aging comes with negative assumptions. But in other cultures, especially in Asia, elders command respect and authority. Psychology Today states, “The accumulated wisdom of elders draws younger people to them for advice and support. They are far from sidelined.”

Health & Well-being

The average 60-year-old does generally experience much better health and vitality today than in the past. Consider this: In 1900 the average longevity in the United States was 47. In 2000, it was 77. Today, it is about 79.

In the 1940s, there were no ultrasounds or MRIs. There were no insulin pumps or artificial knees. We’ve come a long way in health advancements to not only extend our lives, but add quality to our days.

Never stop dreaming

Seniors today have many opportunities to go on great adventures and learn something new. Consider just a few folks who dreamed big in the second half of life:

• At 65, Colonel Saunders used his chicken recipe to start Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).
• At age 75, Jack Nicklaus, scored a hole-in-one at the 2015 Masters Tournament.
• At age 77, John Glen went into space. He rode the Space Shuttle Discovery, and, over the course of nine days, the shuttle orbited Earth 134 times.
• At 92, Phyllis Sues did a headstand every day.
• At 95, Charles Eugster obliterated the 95-and-over world indoor record for 200 meters at a British Masters Athletics meet in London.
• By age 101, Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses produced some 1,500 paintings, and she didn’t start painting until age 78.

And then there’s Sister Madonna Buder, the Iron Nun, who was featured in a Nike ad. She holds the current world record for the oldest woman to ever finish an Ironman Triathlon.

Now that’s inspiring! At Brandermill Woods, we love stories like this because it’s a reminder of how age is a state of mind. With seniors staying active through their 70s and 80s, we’re able to re-imagine what can be done in retirement—and what kinds of activities we can plan for our active lifestyle.

What’s your dream? Go for it!