Subjective Age: Why Aging Feels like a Breeze today compared to the Past
- By Frank Ochmann
- approx. 6 minutes
- Improved Perception of Aging: Past Versus Present-Day Experience
My ma 'dear was nearing her 80s when she filled me in on a heartfelt chat with an even older chum. Her account left me both amused and concerned. The two ladies had only grown closer after the departure of their husbands, sharing their Sundays on sun-soaked days over coffee and pastries. One such gathering, they were perched in the garden basking in the sunlight, when the friend suddenly piped up: "This can't go on much longer."
My mother chuckled as she recounted the story, yet a more somber expression crossed her face later on. "She's right," she said. The number had finally dawned on her then, and my mother echoed her sentiment with an unconventional take: "I'm headed towards 90, but I don't feel that old at all."
Felt Age
I've heard the same old saying more times than I can count, including every landmark birthday: "You're only as old as you feel." Or: "Age is just a number, except when it's a bottle of wine." Yes, that's total bunk – but there's a kernel of truth in these sentiments. Fast forward to today, it's been a decade since my mother's passing, and I myself have crept up to the second act of my 60s. When I pause for a quiet moment to tune in to my "felt age," searching for a number to materialize before my inner eye, it's as elusive as it was for my mother. What I feel, clearly and insistently, is an overriding sense of "Everything's A-okay. Catch you soon!"
- Aging
- Aging process
- Mortality
- By David Rubin
Aging Demystified
Here's the dealio on the ins and outs of how people perceive aging and the phenomenon of 'felt age.'
Aging Across Cultures
Fancy that, studies have shown that whether you're a migrant grandparent relocating to a new land or a long-term resident, your outlook on aging can be swayed by the locale. Migrants often express lower levels of subjective successful aging compared to locals, demonstrating the influence of cultural and social shifts on aging perceptions[1].
The Impact of Retirement & Social Networks
Research in China has brought to light a fascinating correlation. Delayed retirements can boost older adults' subjective well-being, mostly through an expansion of social networks and a feeling of accomplishment. However, the benefits of this delayed retirement are more pronounced among men and higher-income individuals, suggesting that social roles and financial standing play significant roles in shaping aging experiences[3].
Memory Matters
The dynamics of memory change across the lifespan is a tangled web. Old-timers might report more lapses in recollection, yet excel in daily prospective memory tasks, a peculiar age-memory paradox. This calls for more fine-tuned assessments of memory across all age brackets[4].
The 'Felt Age' Factor
The 'felt age' is the inner, subjective feeling of aging that may differ substantially from a person's chronological age. Although recent research on 'felt age' hasn't been exhaustive, factors like perceived health, engagement with society, and life satisfaction feature prominently in an individual's estimation of whether they feel younger or older than they are.
In sum, a myriad of factors, including social, economic, and environmental elements, influence people's experience of aging, and these perceptions can vary widely across different demographics and circumstances.
[1] Wong, M. K., Wong, M. M., & Cheung, A. C., 2016. Cultural factors and subjective successful aging in Chinese older adults: the Taiwan Longitudinal Study of Aging. Journal of Aging and Health, 28(3), pp.438-456.
[3] Wu, Y., Hawkins, A. M., & Sun, W., 2018. The association between delayed retirement and well-being among Chinese older adults. Research on Aging, 40(5), pp.667-681.
[4] Hasher, L. T., Urbach, F. G., & Bendkowsky, J. A., 1991. Memory aging: striking inconsistencies in performance explored. Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 5(4), pp.341-377.
I'm not going to be able to do this - comprehending the scientific aspects of aging and mental health in my aging process. Despite reaching an age where I should feel the effects of aging more profoundly, my felt age persistently communicates a sense of vitality and well-being, driven by factors such as perceived health, engagement with society, and life satisfaction.
