Old Age

1. The Boomer Generation: A Legacy of Ambition and Competition

As age cohorts go, boomers will be remembered for being especially ambitious and competitive.

Defining characteristics. The baby boom generation, born between 1946 and 1964, is marked by its size and affluence. This demographic surge has shaped American culture, politics, and economy for decades.

Mixed legacy. Boomers have been both praised and criticized for their impact:

• Positive contributions:
  • Civil rights movement
  • Technological revolution
  • Environmental awareness
  • Feminist and LGBTQ+ rights
• Criticisms:
  • Self-indulgence
  • Cynicism towards institutions
  • Accumulation of public and private debt

As boomers enter their final chapter, they face the challenge of reconciling their ambitious past with their uncertain future legacy.

2. Parkinson's Disease: A Beginner's Guide to Old Age

Parkinson's is what happens when your brain stops producing enough dopamine.

Symptoms and progression. Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, cognition, and mental health. It shares many similarities with the aging process, making it a "beginner's guide to old age" for those diagnosed earlier in life.

Key aspects of Parkinson's:

• Movement disorders (tremors, stiffness, slow movement)
• Cognitive challenges (executive function, memory)
• Mental health issues (depression, anxiety)
• Gradual loss of independence (e.g., driving)

The disease's progression varies widely among individuals, with some maintaining relatively high functionality for years or decades after diagnosis.

3. The Pursuit of Longevity: Quality of Life vs. Quantity of Years

What you actually really want, or should want, is long years of good health, not long years simply breathing in and out.

Redefining success. As boomers age, the focus shifts from accumulating wealth and status to maintaining health and independence. This shift challenges the generation's competitive nature, forcing a reevaluation of what constitutes a "win" in life's final chapter.

Key considerations in the longevity pursuit:

• Physical health and mobility
• Cognitive function and mental acuity
• Social connections and purpose
• Financial security for healthcare and support

The ultimate goal becomes balancing longevity with quality of life, recognizing that additional years of poor health or cognitive decline may not be desirable.

4. Cognitive Decline: The Ultimate Boomer Competition

Death before dementia" is your rallying cry. It is also your best strategy, at the moment, since there's no cure for either one.

The dementia threat. With increased longevity comes a higher risk of cognitive decline, particularly dementia and Alzheimer's disease. This looming threat presents a final, crucial competition for the boomer generation.

Stark statistics:

• 28 million boomers expected to develop dementia
• 35% chance for the average boomer
• 50% chance for those living past 85

The fear of losing one's mental faculties often surpasses the fear of death itself, leading many to prioritize cognitive health and seek ways to maintain mental acuity as they age.

5. Deep Brain Stimulation: A Breakthrough in Parkinson's Treatment

They stick a couple of wires into your head, run them around your ears and into batteries that are implanted in your chest. Then current from the batteries zaps some bad signals in your brain so that good signals can be heard by the rest of your body.

Revolutionary treatment. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a powerful tool in managing Parkinson's symptoms, offering hope and improved quality of life for many patients.

Key aspects of DBS:

• Surgical implantation of electrodes in the brain
• Controlled electrical stimulation to regulate brain activity
• Significant reduction in physical symptoms for many patients
• Potential cognitive side effects and ongoing adjustments required

While not a cure, DBS represents the kind of medical advancement that can dramatically alter the experience of living with a chronic, progressive disease like Parkinson's.

6. The Vanity of Human Hopes: Reputation in the Afterlife

Even the most successful people die eventually, and they spend longer dead than they did alive. So the real, ultimate, final boomer competition is not about living large or living long, or living lucid. It's about reputation.

Legacy considerations. As boomers confront mortality, many grapple with the desire to leave a lasting mark on the world. This pursuit of posthumous reputation becomes the final arena of competition.

Strategies for posthumous recognition:

• Philanthropy and naming rights
• Literary or artistic works
• Political or social impact
• Family legacy and personal relationships

However, the fleeting nature of fame and the rapid pace of cultural change make lasting recognition an elusive goal for all but a select few.

7. Redeeming the Boomer Legacy: A Call for Generational Redemption

It's not too late for a generational gesture, something that will be the equivalent of—if not actually equal to—our parents' sacrifice in fighting and winning World War II.

A final act. As boomers enter their twilight years, there's a growing sense of urgency to address the criticisms leveled against their generation and leave a positive lasting impact.

Potential redemptive actions:

• Addressing climate change
• Reducing national debt
• Reforming social institutions
• Promoting intergenerational cooperation

The challenge lies in identifying and executing a collective action that can match the scale and significance of previous generations' accomplishments, while addressing the unique challenges of the 21st century.

Last updated: August 20, 2024