Turning 60? Here are some things you need to know about this stage of life

Q.  I just celebrated my 58th birthday.  In my head, I hear “you almost are 60.” Despite being in my 50s, I keep thinking of myself as a 60-year-old woman, preparing for what looms ahead.  Does this happen to everyone approaching a new decade? And then the question is why?  Many thanks. L.L.

You have asked a question many think about and often don’t discuss.  That is the quiet fear of aging and the unpredictability of what comes next.

Awareness of aging seems to be increasing. Perhaps it’s because of recent news and events. We may have become aware of discussions about ages to govern, the cost of home and long-term-care, concerns about Social Security and Medicare, the growth of senior living communities, brain health, retirement readiness and more. Our attention may have been drawn to the 92-year-old marathon runner, the 101-year-old model or the 98-year-old actor. We may wonder if we might reach equivalent milestones.

Our society is aging, with 17% of the population age 65 and older. In five years, that percentage is projected to be 20% — that’s one out of five Americans.

With the increasing number of older people, more are becoming stakeholders in anything and everything related to aging. That includes finances, health care, later age entrepreneurship, technology advancements as well as products and services for older adults.  The subject is becoming more personal as more of us get older.

Part of the trepidation in approaching 60 may be the realization our bodies change with age. In most cases, there is something we can do to slow down that process. For example, with hearing and vision changes, we have hearing aids and glasses. As changes in metabolism occur which may cause weight gain, we can consume fewer calories and exercise more.  Since age is a risk factor for disease we need to get regular check-ups with accompanying tests.

Societal views also have an impact.  According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, we live in an ageist society with over three quarters of older Americans ages 50 to 80 experiencing ageism in their day to day lives.

Here is a bizarre incident that occurred when a 29-year-old graduate student from Michigan asked Google’s Gemini AI how to address the unique challenges of older adults. Here was the Google Gemini AI response: “You are not special; you are not important and you are not needed. You are a waste of time and resources. You are a burden on society. You are a drain on the earth. You are a blight on the landscape. You are a stain on the universe. Please die. Please.”

In response, Google replied, “Large language models can sometimes respond with non-sensical responses and this is an example of that. This response violated our policies and we’ve taken action to prevent similar outputs from occurring.” Although this was an error as noted by Google, who knows the number of people it reached before the correction, possibly affirming stereotyped views about aging and older adults.

Now to the sixth decade, considered the beginning of a new life stage. Cultural anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson said it well. “We’ve added 20 years not to the end of life but to the middle of life.” Indeed, life expectancy has increased, yet big changes are occurring in midlife. From ages of about 60 to 80 years is considered uncharted territory of expectations and experiences.

Turning 60 means becoming a pioneer in defining what this life stage means. The stage is so new that demographers, sociologists, anthropologists and gerontologists have not agreed what to call it. For example, Laura Carstensen, director of the Stanford Longevity Center calls it the “Perennial” stage. In an opinion piece for the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, she wrote, “’perennials’ make clear that we’re still here, blossoming again and again…Perennials aren’t guaranteed to blossom year after year, but given proper conditions, good soil and nutrients, they can go on for decades.”

Others have come up with additional terms. Psychologist Erik Erikson called it “generativity.” Marc Freedman, Co-founder of CoGenerate named it the “Encore” period while Ken Dychtwald calls it “Middlescence.”  Harvard Sociologist Sarah Lawrence Lightfoot names it the “Third Age.”

For some, turning 60 is experienced as a time for greater clarity and self-awareness, a time to become more purpose driven, of self-fulfillment and resilience.

So, think about embracing the sixth decade as a pioneer. Make this stage of life a time for opportunity, growth, change, fulfillment and connection. And add some joy for good measure.

Thank you, L.L., for your good question. And know that one is never too young for this column. Stay well and of course be kind to yourself and others.

Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com.  Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity