Friday, January 20, 2017

Growing Old

The Learning Network

Growing Old

By MICHAEL GONCHAR JAN. 17, 2017

This illustration above comes from a Sunday Review article that explained the implications of a recent study on “superagers” and what makes them tick.

What’s a superager? The article explains that they are older adults whose memory and attention aren’t merely above average for their age, but are actually on the same level as healthy, active 25-year-olds.

Have you ever thought about growing old? What do you want to be doing when you are 65? 80? Or older? How do you think you’ll be able to stay fit, active and mentally sharp?

Tell us in the comments, then read the related article to find out more about superagers and what might be the secret to their mental nimbleness.

_{Find many more ways to use our new Picture Prompt feature in this lesson plan.}

50 Comments

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Vanessa, C P.4-7

Anaheim 18 hours ago

A superager is elderly people that have such great memory and are very sharp. When I turn 65 and become an elderly I want to be able to stay at home treating myself with some retired money. I hope to be healthy so that I can actually live long. I think in order to stay healthy I´d take walks and watch what I eat. One major thing is that I would like to maintain my relationships with friends. As people get older they tend to distance themselves and unfortunately some old people die sad and alone. This is the opposite of a superager.

James Kara p. 3

Anaheim 21 hours ago

I believe that one day i will certainly be a superager. One day people will age and they will also become very wise. not everyone happens to be very sharp and quick witted but i feel that if you stay active and updated on the media then you will pose as a great superager. An issue that also comes up a lot is people that are a little on the older side tend to have a harder time making friends because the younger people have less things in common with them and if your not a superager chances are your going to be a lonely person.

Joshua Perez Period 5-39

Anaheim 1 day ago

Superagers are elderly people between ages 80 and up whom retain impeccably sharp memory. Yes I have thought about growing old and I wish when I am the age of 65 to be retired by then and leaving peacefully and in bliss. At 80 I'd want to be healthy and not have to worry. For me to stay fit, active, and mentally sharp I must eat healthy and try to keep health as a priority in my older ages.

jessica s p3-37

anaheim 1 day ago

i have never really thought about growing old. By the time im at least 70 years old i would like to be retired and have my own family business. I would probably do some volunteer work and help other people in need. I think ill be able to stay fit by stretching everyday and going on morning and afternoon walks around the block. I think ill be able to stay mentally sharp by reading books and magazines when im bored. Or just play a word game or put together a puzzle

Tien L Period 5-18

Anaheim, CA 1 day ago

Actually, when the question comes up about getting old, I don’t have any idea because I haven’t thought about the old age. Getting old is something we can’t avoid or run out of it. In my opinion, when I get the age of 65 the first and happiest thing that I most want to be with my family and people who love me. I will have my own family with my husband who that I loved and loved me, my children and my grandkids. I will be a homestay grandma and take care for my family. Next, I will think about what I haven’t do when I was young and try to do that as much as I can. Then I can relax at the age of 70, and go travel with my husband. However, I need to have a good health and stay positive attitude with an open eye. But some people become a superager, following many labs have observed that these critical brain regions increase in activity when people perform difficult tasks, whether the effort is physical or mental. Therefore we can help keep these regions thick and healthy through vigorous exercise. So one way help maintain a sharper memory and a greater ability to pay attention is studies. That is the reason why everybody need to study.

Carlos L P 2-16

Anaheim CA 1 day ago

A "Superager" is someone in the age of 65-80. These people don't have the best memory and it's harder for them to remember things. What they do have is good health. I have thought of growing old and it's not one of the things i want to live to. I think i will be retired and at home chillen. I know for a fact that am going to be in shape maybe not mentally but physically.

Miguel R. P.2-32

Anaheim,Ca 1 day ago

Young teens believe that they are all this and that because they can remember things for a while, yet there are superagers that remember about the same as those youngsters that are in their early 20’s. One of the ways most doctors believe that one that is aging can remember things longer is by staying active and keeping up with activities that will help become mentally stable.

Robert C. P.5-35

CA 1 day ago

Well at times, I think about growing old and how I'll be or what I'll be doing when I reach my age. When I'm around 65, I play to have my family and see my kids grow up while happily married. I still hope that at 65 I'm still playing the sport I love. I wanna stay healthy mentally and physically till my finals days because being active is very important to me and I hope to stay in shape till, if possible, till my last days on this Earth.

Steven R Per.2 #33

Anaheim 1 day ago

Superagers are older adults whose memory and attention aren’t merely above average for their age, but are actually on the same level as healthy, active 25-year-olds. Yes, I have thought about growing old and it's kind of weird thinking about growing old when I still have so much to do in life. But by the age of 65 or older I would like to have traveled all over the world arriving in new destinations and learning new things everywhere I would like to travel to one day. I believe I would be able to stay fit and mentally Sharp by just living a healthy lifestyle and enjoy my time living life to the fullest.

Karina Navarro Period. 6

33 1 day ago

I have thought about getting older many times. I fear of getting older and things that might go wrong once I'm old. Everyone has to go through this. You might live up to the age 98-100. When I'm older I want to know that I accomplished my goals that I've been wanting to do. I want to enjoy my days left with my family and die happy.

Stephanie A. Per.6-2

Anaheim 1 day ago

This article caught my attention because everyday I think of how my life will be when I'm much older. I always think about how getting old will be like. I do not know if I will enjoy it or dislike it. Of course I know that no one lives forever, but I really wish that I can live for a very long time even to the point where I don't die, but I know it's impossible. When I hit my 60's I wish to stay active by creating paintings or just simply being full of grandchildren and enjoying a fun and peaceful life with them. In order to stay fit and mentally sharp I will eat healthy meals and workout at my own paste. Finally, everyone will soon get old and I know it's somewhat scary to think about it, but no one can stop aging.

Mariam M. Period 4-15

Anaheim 1 day ago

Superagers are "people aged 80 and up with impeccable memory." These people have great health as well. This is so interesting because people think that once you grow old you start to lose memory and you become weak. Growing old is something that almost everyone goes through. I believe staying fit, active and mentally sharp are important factors to help people have amazing memory.

David A. Period 3-2

Anaheim 1 day ago

A superager are those whose memory and attention isn’t merely above average for their age, but is actually on par with healthy, active 25-year-olds. Honestly I've always thought about how I am going to get old, but I always tell myself that I shouldn't really worry about it because I'm still young and have long way to go. When I am 65 I am just hoping too just relax with no problems in my life and too see my children growing with their own.

Linda Uriostegui

Period 4 / 36 1 day ago

This article grabbed my attention because of the title and the title image I looked more into the picture where it showed the making of an adult's brain and the struggles will the process of fixing and developing. When I am older 65-80 years I would love to retired and maybe take care of my grand kids on the weekends. That's my dream reality but I would know if I would be healthy enough so take care of a toddler that's is so fragile and another is I would have to watch my health to live a longer living life. If I ever am in a healthy place by the time I land at ages 65-80 I would want something that will make me feel like if I am young again, like seen thing I had never seen life before or ever imagined it was created.

Dayana B per.4-4

Anaheim 1 day ago

I have thought of getting older various times. I think that it's something normal and something we all have to go through, but it's scary at the same time. I fear dying, I really wish I could live forever, even though it is impossible. When I grow older, I want to enjoy the rest of my life because I know I am not going to be eternal. I'll be able to stay fit by during moderate exercise, for example going for a walk every afternoon until I make it a good habit.

Brandon Espinosa

Period 5 1 day ago

Yes i have had a few thoughts on growing old and too be honest I'm a bit scared I want to live life calmly and fun. When I'm 65 I think I will still be working because I want to be a businessman and have my own company but by 80 hopefully I will be retired enjoying the last couple years of my life with some money in a big house and nice cars. I think will be able to stay fit because I am fit as in today and I plan to stay fit forever because I like to work out and be active.

Rudy L. p6-08

Anaheim, Ca 1 day ago

I personally do not want to grow up, being a teen your whole life would be great, but sadly life isn't like that we all have to mature at some point. These years are passing by quickly and it's hard out there in the world. When I hopefully reach 65 I want to have an amazing wife by that time with children. It would be a dream having the life with your family. I would do everything with especially traveling around the world that is one thing that I would love to do the most. At 80 I would like to have seen my grandchildren watching my diet carefully and still being a living till an old age.

Savanna Hart p6-21

Anaheim 1 day ago

LIke the author states, "“Superagers” (a term coined by the neurologist Marsel Mesulam) are those whose memory and attention isn’t merely above average for their age, but is actually on par with healthy, active 25-year-olds." I've thought about growing old, and to be completely honest I am scared. Age is just something that gives me anxiety. When I am 65, I hope to be happy. That's all I want to say because I don't know what the future holds. When I am 80 or older, I hope to be healthy and happy. As it states in the article, "In the United States, we are obsessed with happiness. But as people get older, research shows, they cultivate happiness by avoiding unpleasant situations." I cant even stay fit now, I am hoping I get something on track whether that is eating healthy or working out. For my memory I believe I would just do what the article says and work out my brain with puzzles and other tricky mind games.

Enrique F P.6-15

Anaheim, CA 1 day ago

Each birthday I am getting aging to be a 'superagers". Because of that reason, I don't really think about me growing older except I rarely do. It's mainly like thinking of me being an adult to be able and drive or other opportunities you get as you get old. But being older is different. I would expect to be wiser by experience. I picture myself at 65 to be working on something like art in drawing or painting. I am really passionate about art and it would continue in my life. Because of this I would imagine to be a bit mentally sharp. But in the other hand I wouldn't be surprised if I weren't in fit.

Sesar V. Period 6 Desk#39

Anaheim 1 day ago

Honestly I have never thought about the future. I just go with the flow and continue living and have fun. No one can tell me how I'm gonna end up because it's my life not theirs. I feel like when I'm older I'm gonna have accomplished things in my life and that I also lived life to the fullest.

Enrique F P.6-15

Anaheim, CA 1 day ago

Juan Arcos

Per. 6 1 day ago

I haven't really thought about my life time when i get old. I would rather live in the moment and focus in my surroundings, but hopefully when I'm old there will be one of my kids who will like me and visit me once in a while. As in of my age, i would most likely be retired and and living on my own money. Probably the best way to style get and mentally shark while in my elderly age, would be to have a healthy young age, like eating healthy and exercising.

Karla G. P.6 desk 16

Anaheim 1 day ago

Getting older and dying is going to happen. Whether we want it to or not we all will have to pass through that. I do think about getting, actually all the time. I think and think and just wonder what it will all be in the future. Sometimes I think about it so much that I get to a point where I get scared of it. I think the reason why I get scared is because I know that when we do get older the only thing that comes after is obviously death. And that is what scares me the most.

Lesly B pd.6 -30

Anaheim 1 day ago

When I personally think of about getting older in the future it scares me. I do think positively about aging. When I reach the age of 65 hopefully I see my grandchildren grow because I do want kids later on in the future. Also see my own kids grow myself that'd be the best thing to experience. A dream that I've always had is to finish traveling the world once I'm retired and visit the states/ countries that I never got to finish. At 80 I'd still wish to be walking up and down daily so I can be healthy at my age. I'll do anything to stay healthy and still going till the end.

Leslie Arellano Period-6 Seat-36

Anaheim High School 1 day ago

Thinking ahead of time and wondering what my life can look like is a bit scary. I have always wanted to be in my mid 20's because I would dream about my career that I love so much, my future dream house, etc.. I don't know anyone who doesn't think like this. But, thinking almost 50 years later, it's hard because we can't avoid growing old and having to retire, paying so many more bills, hoping my health is well and I won't have to be paying hospital bills.... Seeing my grandmother struggling with health problems and paying bills catches my eye and I start realizing that getting old is not fun and I should live my young teen life as much as I could right now because in the future, my health could stop me from doing so much things I can do now.