Yesterday, my usual perusal of The New York Times introduced me to a concept of which I was not aware--Super Agers.
Super Agers are folks over 80 who remain cognitively healthy and still have good memories. Despite occasionally wandering into a room and then wondering what I was looking for, I think I still have a good memory.
The article identified strong social connections and an extroverted personality as contributing to the mental agility of Super Agers. Hmm. Does Facebook count? What about dogs and cats? Aside from John every day and Josie three times a week, quick visits from her folks, and the occasional dinner with friends, my social life is pretty quiet--and I like it that way.
And it's too late for me to become an extrovert.
HERE is an article about super agers. It's not the NYT one, as it's behind a paywall, but it's similar.
5 comments:
Is it possible to be a super-ager if your memory is good and your cognitive abilities are in excellent shape (according to doctors) but your body is falling apart? If it all depends on having an active social life, I'm doomed. Since becoming disabled, I don't seem to go anywhere except medical offices, but I stay on top of the news and talk to friends on Facebook every day. Of 3,000-plus FB friends, more than half are people I know personally and have spent face to face time with. One of the great pleasures of having been an active writer is that I met so many other writers from near and far. Writers are still my tribe, even though I'm not going to events anymore. I'm also in a CIDP support group with people who understand exactly what my challenges are, as I understand theirs. We all care about each other and talk online daily. That's not the same as socializing in person regularly, but it is social contact. Each of us, in our own personal ways, must fight against the dying of the light.
I also read that article about super-agers. Very nice science, with brain cell investigation (as some identified subjects bequeathed their brains to study). No way I qualify, but it is certainly very interesting!
I never doubted your super-ness.
I agree that FB contacts can be as meaningful as 'real' life.
(Giggle)
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