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Sheryl Kraft

freelance health writer

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May 6, 2015

Old Age is the New Middle Age

Published in: Aging, Americans are living longer, middle age, Midlife, new research into aging

 

The stages of life Credit: Shutterstock.com
The stages of life
Credit: Shutterstock.com

When the idea of starting my own blog was just a so-called ‘twinkle in my eye,’ I spent a lot of time coming up with what to call it. What was the right name?

I knew what I wanted to write about – midlife – that period of time when you think you have it all figured out but then realize that no one ever has it all figured out. That time in your life when you can look back on all your mistakes, accomplishments, precious moments or moments you’d rather forget; the time that allows for new growth and opportunity..(if you keep your eyes open to all the possibilities).

To get some feedback and advice on the name I chose, MySoCalledMidlife, I consulted my supportive online writer’s group. Most liked the name MySoCalledMidlife, but one woman disagreed with the others. Her feeling was that I shouldn’t use the word ‘midlife’ in the title, since ‘midlife’ eventually ends and before too long, I’d  have to re-work the title.

 Well, I’m glad I chose not to listen to her advice: A new report recently emerged that says that old age now begins at age 74. Middle age it says, lasts at least nine years longer than current estimates. We no longer have to ‘exit’ middle age when the chronological clock strikes 65.

I like it. It means that we can ignore Merrian-Webster’s definition of middle age that says “the period of life from about 45 to about 64.” It means we can linger in this prime arena without being shoved aside and cast into the next category of age and being called – and labeled – as  “old.”

My personal thanks go to the researchers from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and Stony Brook University for allowing me to keep the name of my blog for a lot longer than previously anticipated. Their work was published in the journal PLOS ONE and previously in Population and Development Review. In a release, the study’s lead author Sergei Scherbov said that someone who is 60 today is middle-aged, whereas two hundred years ago, 60 would have been very old. 

Or it’s more likely they wouldn’t have even made it to 60.

Yes, overall life expectancy is growing, and we can thank that shift for redefining what old really is. According to a 2014 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, life expectancy in the U.S. reached a record high in 2012 of 78.8 years. Defining what’s old should take into account how long people have left to live, not how long they’ve already lived, said Scherbov.

And he’s so right. We’ve got exciting years ahead of us.

And we are a powerful force, after all, living longer and better.

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Previous Post: « Is Bruce Jenner Having a Midlife Crisis?
Next Post: Tylenol and Advil: Not Created Equal for Pain Relief »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Irene S. Levine says

    May 7, 2015 at 6:18 am

    Here’s to a very long and boundary-less midlife that goes on forever!
    xo

    • SherylK says

      May 8, 2015 at 3:51 pm

      I’ll toast to that!

  2. Lisa Froman says

    May 7, 2015 at 6:49 am

    I like this research too. Long live midlife! And the name of your blog!

    • SherylK says

      May 8, 2015 at 3:51 pm

      Thanks, Lisa!

  3. Laura says

    May 7, 2015 at 10:20 am

    Timely post for me. I was just pondering the term “boomer” which is used a lot to describe middle age and wondering when it would have to be redefined as “old age?” Looks like we got a few more years now.

    • SherylK says

      May 8, 2015 at 3:51 pm

      Yes, Laura, and so it goes…

  4. Roxanne says

    May 7, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    I started saying I was middle-age WAY too young, then. (wink) My problem with a 64 or higher cut off is that most people don’t live to be 128. Maybe I’m being too literal.

    • SherylK says

      May 8, 2015 at 3:52 pm

      Roxanne, the way they calculated it this time around is not how many years you’ve lived, but how many are ahead. Not sure if that helps your literal-minded way of figuring it out 🙂 It’s a bit confusing, I’ll admit.

  5. SJS says

    May 8, 2015 at 12:24 am

    I think it’s interesting to consider this idea, especially since I’ve read the next generation will be the first to not live longer than their parents.

    • SherylK says

      May 8, 2015 at 3:53 pm

      I heard that statistic too about not living longer than our parents; hope that proves to be wrong!

  6. Kerry Dexter says

    May 8, 2015 at 7:41 am

    Sheryl, you write about concerns for those of us in the midst of live, whatever our ages — long may you keep sharing your wisdom and humor.

    • SherylK says

      May 8, 2015 at 3:53 pm

      Thank you, Kerry. That is very kind!

  7. Jane Boursaw says

    May 14, 2015 at 10:57 am

    I think we’re so lucky to be living in an era when running a marathon at 60 or 70 isn’t unheard of. Yes – 60 IS the new 40.

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What’s this so-called midlife, anyway?

It’s a time of tremendous change, growth and opportunity. A time to re-evaluate our choices, our experiences and ourselves. A time to take what we’ve accumulated up until now and put it to work.

When I turned 50, many things changed... read more about me.

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speaks realistically about what happens when we approach our 50’s and beyond

I think your website is GREAT!  It's hard to find an online space that speaks realistically about what happens when we approach our 50's and beyond.  Keep writing, and thanks for your support."
Sheryl Kraft
2016-11-29T02:25:43+00:00
I think your website is GREAT!  It's hard to find an online space that speaks realistically about what happens when we approach our 50's and beyond.  Keep writing, and thanks for your support."
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A High School Student and Aspiring Writer from Australia Reaches Out…

I would love to hear a few things on the prospect from a first hand-perspective, and would be thrilled to learn more about it from you. Your advice is well valued and I’m very grateful to have such wise words from someone with such first hand experience.

I will be looking forward to reading more of your wonderful articles in the future!

Best wishes,

Mikayla

 
Sheryl Kraft
2017-01-17T13:37:55+00:00
I would love to hear a few things on the prospect from a first hand-perspective, and would be thrilled to learn more about it from you. Your advice is well valued and I’m very grateful to have such wise words from someone with such first hand experience. I will be looking forward to reading more of your wonderful articles in the future! Best wishes, Mikayla  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/high-school-student-aspiring-writer-australia-reaches/

Due to your article, traffic and sales have been great this past week!

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Sheryl Kraft
2018-12-07T02:46:56+00:00
On behalf of our entire organization, we'd like to thank you so much for featuring our product in last week’s Parade Magazine. Due to your article, traffic and sales have been great this past week.! We are a small business that prides ourselves on excellent product quality and customer service. We work hard to make quality products and market them effectively but then sometimes you get a gift like your article which really takes us to the next level. We will be eternally grateful to you for choosing us as one of your eye product recommendations.  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/due-to-your-article-traffic-and-sales-have-been-great-this-past-week/

I’m writing to express my admiration for the work you are doing!

I'm a young medical writer trying to get a foothold in the industry, so the portfolio you have on your website showcasing your accomplishments is something that I'm aiming to achieve.

I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I am hoping you can share some advice, tips, or guidance as I work on this, my lateral career change!

Thanks for taking the time to read this - I know you probably have much more exciting things to be doing, but just know that your work is inspiring me to continue down this writing path.

 
Sheryl Kraft
2020-02-14T14:57:09+00:00
I'm a young medical writer trying to get a foothold in the industry, so the portfolio you have on your website showcasing your accomplishments is something that I'm aiming to achieve. I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I am hoping you can share some advice, tips, or guidance as I work on this, my lateral career change! Thanks for taking the time to read this - I know you probably have much more exciting things to be doing, but just know that your work is inspiring me to continue down this writing path.  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/im-writing-to-express-my-admiration-for-the-work-you-are-doing/
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