Life Spans

Friday, September 29, 2023

Senator Diane Feinstein, who appeared rapidly weakening, physically and mentally, passed away at the age of 90. Aging is a controversial issue today as more humans are living longer than ever. One of the hottest issues is comprehending the capabilities of those aging vis a vis those thought young by common health standards.

I am interested in a current article featured in The Economist, entitled, “Living to 120 is becoming an imaginable prospect.” The author cites known progress in using medications that are being understood as helping to extend human life and also describes new research designed to enable modifying and/or renewing aging body cells.

Recently, at Home Depot, where I work, I bumped into a former co-worker. She was pushing a cart and proudly said she’s 90 years old, hard for me to believe as we caught up with one another. For many years she had taught dancing, and to this day, she easily can isolate her body muscles. Soon, she began pointing out ways that I might better control my muscles to improve my strength and posture.

I was shocked to learn she regularly talks by phone with a mutual acquaintance, now 103 years old, and someone I had assumed had passed away long ago. Really though, that’s not so odd these days, for more people in that age range are staying alive and remaining cognizant. I have a book of excellent poetry I love, written by a woman who took a beginning poetry-writing class when she was 98 and published her poems as she turned 100.

The biggest hurdle to extending human aging might be the rescuing and/or rejuvenizing of brain cells. There’s still too little understood about how to treat Alzheimer’s. A future that provides care for people diagnosed with that disease and physically able to live longer presents huge issues.

Dear Friends: We humans are approaching a very brave new world. Diana