Live now, age later

1. Are you basically satisfied with your life?

2. Have you dropped many of your activities and interests?

3. Do you feel that your life is empty?

4. Do you often get bored?

5. Are you in good spirits most of the time?

6. Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you?

7. Do you feel happy most of the time?

8. Do you often feel helpless?

9. Do you prefer to stay at home, rather than going out and doing new things?

10. Do you feel that you have more problems with memory than most?

11. Do you think it is wonderful to be alive now?

12. Do you feel pretty worthless the way you are now?

13. Do you feel full of energy?

14. Do you feel that your situation is hopeless?

15. Do you think that most people are better off than you are?

So how did you fare on the geriatric depression scale?

Depression – it certainly is a very depressing topic. But, according to Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld in his book Live Now, Age Later – Proven Ways to Slow Down the Clock (available at Goodwill Bookstore), "Many older people have good reason to be depressed. They may have lost a spouse or some close friends and relatives and suddenly become aware of their own mortality (the "it’s only a matter of time" frame of mind). They dwell on the fact that their number will soon be up, and they wonder how it will all end."

Suddenly, you’re attending more funerals of friends than birthday parties or weddings. And suddenly, you start pondering your own death.

But other than death, there are other reasons for the elderly – or those 65 years old and up – to feel depressed. According to Dr. Rosenfeld, maybe you were told you should retire, even if you think you’re not yet retirable – yes, you feel you have some more useful years left in you before you, uh, throw in the towel.

We heard one wag say that to retire is to be twice tired: First, you’re tired of working and then, you’re tired of not working.

But this is not about getting old and depressed. This is about what Dr. Rosenfeld calls successful aging. Seeing his patients grow old through the years, the good doctor has compiled this shortlist of prescriptions that contribute to long life:

• Be content. Give every challenge the best shot you can and then accept the outcome with equanimity. It’s mind over matter – if you don’t mind it, it won’t matter.

• Once more with feeling: Exercise, exercise, exercise! The more physically active you are, the better you’ll age. Healthy exercise doesn’t really mean working yourself out to death. Just walk, dance, swim or do any type of aerobic exercise. Just thirty minutes a day is enough to keep your heart heartily working – as well as keep your weight down.

• Avoid being overweight. But don’t be obsessed with your weight. Just don’t get flabby and fat by limiting your meat intake and increasing your consumption of fish, fruits and vegetables.

• Do not smoke. What the surgeon general says about cigarettes is absolutely true! In the US alone, tobacco accounts for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year.

Of course, for women, the fact that smoking wrinkles the skin is the best argument vs. the habit.

• Limit your alcohol intake. One or two drinks a day will help you relax.

• Find a good doctor. A good doctor is important at any age, but especially so for older folks. And what makes a doctor better than another, especially for the elderly, is compassion and availability. Choose a doctor who cares, who answers your calls, and will be there when you need him.

• Finally, don’t take yourself too seriously. Learn to laugh – even at yourself. A belly laugh is the best medicine – you can never overdose with it.

Don’t feel bad about celebrating a birthday. Remember that the older you get, the longer you’ll live. Instead of thinking about death, get yourself a life. Get into a sport; join a marathon for the elderly. Get inspired by people like President George Bush, who at age 72 parachuted from 12,500 feet just for the fun of it.

There was Grandma Moses who was painting (not panting) at age 100; Pablo Casals who was concertizing at 88 or Coco Chanel who headed a fashion design firm at 85.

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Or take former Senator Helena Benitez who’s so busy she won’t have time to celebrate her 88th birthday on Thursday, June 27.

"I’m a workaholic," she confesses, "but I do different types of work; I hate routine, I’m much too creative for that."

According to the PWU chairman and Bayanihan chairman emeritus, the secret to successful aging lies in one’s attitude. "You have to be positive, this changes your outlook in life. I was brought up and grew up helping other people. As an educator, I’m always around young people so I don’t think of age and creaking bones."

For this octogenarian, life is a matter of balance. "Everything in moderation, nothing in excess," she asserts. "But nothing rigid, too."

She points out, "I eat lechon, I don’t punish myself, but I make sure that I take a lot of vegetables and fish. I will not deprive myself of a dessert to die for like a superb apple pie, but I will cut down on the main dish Despite my sweet tooth, I’ve never had diabetes because I exercise (like brisk walking and going up and down the stairs) to sweat off the calories."

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The long and short of it, according to Senator Juan Flavier who turned 67 last Sunday, is that you have to have "a good sense of humor, enough variety in life (I exercise, read, write), time for family, and not to forget, time for religion."

The irrepressible senator sums it up thus, "Live and love some, and laugh some."

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If a picture paints a thousand words, you can say that artist Malang is happy to be alive and actively painting at 74. Fact is, Malang is celebrating his 50 years on the art scene with a show next year.

"Work, listen, read, exercise," is Malang’s brief formula for longevity. He stresses, "Exercise is important at any age. I do some stretching every morning when I get up. I go to the gym every other day and spend an hour on the treadmill."

Malang says he eats a little at any given time. Breakfast is usually pancakes at McDonald’s, lunch is Japanese food (especially tofu and veggies) while dinner is just fruits.

What keeps Malang going is his consummate passion for work. "I think it’s in my late years that I’ve produced my better works. And the best is yet to come."

Happy aging everyone!