The average life expectancy now is well over 70 for both men and women. The fastest growing group in the United States is people over the age of 80. Experts estimate that by the year 2040, we will have over a million people in the United States over the age of 100. It means that they are part of a powerful group, in terms of numbers and also in financial and political influence. It may mean that we will have to make thoughtful changes in the Social Security and Medicare systems.
Good healthcare is important throughout life.
A look at athletes who are still competing in their 60's and above shows how healthy you can be, no matter what your age. Articles were written in 1996 about a United States athlete who was in the 1920 Olympics. Remember that it is never too late to change, and never too late to benefit from those changes. Even if you have smoked for 50 years, you can still breathe easier if you quit now. If you have been overweight all your life, you can still reduce your risk of heart disease by losing weight now.