Age is just a number? False: It is a word

“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” 

– Mark Twain 

What is age apart from being just a word? Is it an indicator of things you can or can't do? Or are they mere numbers? According to Santrock and Santrock (2013), age has been defined in various ways, such as chronological, biological, psychological, and social. People usually perceive ageing in a negative light, complaining nonstop about wrinkles, grey hair, and joint pains. Well, that's a summary of who I used to be until I met a man with broad shoulders, tall stature, and a well-groomed demeanour; he radiates a young energy. No, I am not talking about Shah Rukh Khan, I am describing a 92-year-old man who appeared younger than me. His age may be just a number, as seen by how his physical look defies expectations. He looked younger than his chronological age; his functional age was around 75, which could be observed through his physical fitness tests like the Chair Stand Test (measuring lower body strength), Arm Curl Test (measuring upper body strength), and Chair Sit and Reach Test (measuring flexibility). This inspiring encounter made me realize something- age is not a barrier to a healthy and active life. 

https://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/e/exercise_propgrammes.asp

But what could be the possible reasons for this man's "youthfulness"?

In accordance with research conducted by Chetty et al. (2016), as cited in Berk (2017), higher education and income levels are correlated to longer life expectancy. Good marriages and strong family ties are two major social supports that improve longevity and mental health. Having a solid social network is crucial at every stage of life. It would be highly detrimental to his mental health to live to be 92 years old without any social assistance. However, he kept up his social life by participating in clubs such as crossword puzzle groups. From a biological perspective, his genetic predispositions are another possible reason for longevity. According to Sebastiani and Perls (2012), while genetics and environmental variables can explain typical lifespan variations, extreme longevity is primarily the product of genetic makeup. The secret mantra of his youthful appearance and zest for life was to exercise twice daily for 20 minutes. Brisk walking, stretching and flexibility exercises prevented him from many chronic diseases. He also takes physiotherapy sessions daily, keeping his muscles and body well and overall well-being.

https://clipart-library.com/clipart/clip-funny-of-old-people-exercising-8.htm

Even though his IQCDE results show signs of cognitive decline, he can remember his address, telephone number, birth date, and where things are kept. The IQCDE (Intelligence Quotient and Cognitive Decline Evaluation) is a comprehensive test that assesses various cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and problem-solving. He has a solid autobiographical memory. There has been little decline in his memory over the past 10 years. But in some aspects, it has improved, like knowing how to work with familiar machines around the house and remembering what day and month it is. He told me some of his life stories about work and family. The reason for not having a significant cognitive decline could be his lifestyle. Harada et al. (2013) pointed out that successful ageing and lifestyle cognitive hypothesis, ageing-related dementia and cognitive decline can be avoided by leading an active lifestyle and participating in particular activities such as puzzles, discussion groups, reading, exercise, and socialization.

https://mostfunnyfacebookstatus.blogspot.com/2013/02/not-getting-old-funny-facebook-quote.html

The ageing process in humans is a highly diverse phenomenon. He is defying all psychological theories, which brings us to individual differences. He is breaking all stereotypes associated with ageing. "Old Age" is associated with decline, loss, and death. But after meeting him, I realised life is more than loss. His excellent memory, fine hearing, sharp vision, and better sleep routine than mine further refute the theories. A positive attitude and involvement may lead to a satisfying and joyous old age, as seen in the Bollywood film 102 Not Out. Dattatraya breaks through the barrier of living in despair and being surrounded by negativity with his enthusiasm for life and clear vision (no pun intended) to live more. As demonstrated by Dattatraya's impact on Babulal, the movie shows that growing older may be a period of personal development and deep relationships by questioning conventional ideas about ageing and embracing the possibility of sustained life. 

https://logicallyapproved.wordpress.com/2017/05/29/anand-movie-review/

Age is not just a number, it doesn't determine life for you, it is subjective for each individual. Age or all theories associated with ageing are deterministic, but they can go above and beyond their milestones. Every person should also be viewed beyond their age and their capabilities. So age is not just a number, it's a word. 

References

Berk, L. E. (2017). Exploring lifespan development.

Chetty, R., Stepner, M., Abraham, S., Lin, S., Scuderi, B., Turner, N., Bergeron, A., & Cutler, D. (2016). The Association Between Income and Life Expectancy in the United States, 2001-2014. JAMA, 315(16), 1750. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.4226

Harada, C. N., Love, M. C. N., & Triebel, K. L. (2013). Normal Cognitive Aging. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 29(4), 737–752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cger.2013.07.002

Reimers, C. D., Knapp, G., & Reimers, A. K. (2012). Does Physical Activity Increase Life Expectancy? A Review of the Literature. Journal of Aging Research, 2012, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/243958

Santrock, J. W., & Santrock, P. O. P. J. W., PhD. (2013). Life-span development. McGraw-Hill Education.

Sebastiani, P., & Perls, T. T. (2012). The Genetics of Extreme Longevity: Lessons from the New England Centenarian Study. Frontiers in Genetics, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2012.00277