Published: Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 5:22 p.m. <\/p>\n
Perhaps someday geroscience -- the study of human aging and its impacts -- will identify a law similar to Newton's Third. <\/p>\n
That thought came to mind as we read a Sunday report in the Herald-Tribune, by Barbara Peters Smith, on the emerging field of science surrounding aging. An Associated Press article predicting a \"global retirement crisis\" reinforced that notion. <\/p>\n
The report by Peters Smith, a veteran reporter who covers aging-related issues, focused on Florence Katz of Sarasota, a 98-year-old woman who remains happy, healthy and active. <\/p>\n
She is not alone: Longevity has increased dramatically in the United States and the Western world; for millions of those older adults, life is good. <\/p>\n
But the article also recognized the downsides of longevity -- difficulties associated with disabilities, health and memory problems, lack of long-term income. <\/p>\n
New stage, new world <\/p>\n
Experts and demographers debate the details of life expectancies but, in general, there is no dispute about the aging of the planet's population. Consider this: There are now more people over 65 than under 15. <\/p>\n
Linda P. Fried, dean of public health at Columbia University, told Peters Smith that the increase in life expectancy \"offers us a new stage ... and we're not very well prepared for it.\" <\/p>\n
The AP report focused on a troubling and pervasive lack of preparation worldwide. The news service quoted Norman Dreger, a retirement specialist in Germany, who said: \"The first wave of under-prepared workers is going to try to go into retirement and will find they can't afford to do so.\" <\/p>\n
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See the article here: Published: Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 5:22 p.m. Perhaps someday geroscience -- the study of human aging and its impacts -- will identify a law similar to Newton's Third. Continue reading
\nEditorial: Adapting to longevity<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"