Looking forward to getting old: The time has come at the age of 67
Anyone who has already celebrated their 40th birthday is in the second half of life and, statistically speaking, has fewer years of life ahead of them than behind them. And the more birthdays that follow, the greater the gap to youth, while at the same time behaviour, priorities, needs, worries and wishes become more and more similar to those of the older generation over the years.
Of course, it is not uncommon to mourn one's own youth and remember all the experiences, adventures and achievements with joy. At the same time, however, there is also a growing desire and anticipation for old age. Contrary to the past, it is no longer equated with immobility and senility, limitations and infirmities, loneliness and forgetfulness, boredom and helplessness.
On the contrary: „being old“ is increasingly equated with independence, serenity, openness, tolerance and freedom - terms that were traditionally associated with youth. Added to this are positive associations such as life experience, balance, financial independence and more free time for the enjoyable and important things in life.
„Older in the past“
It is therefore not surprising that a corresponding change in attitudes has taken place in a 10-year comparison. According to the population, people are now „old“ at the age of 67. In 2010, old age began a good three years later at over 70.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), you are only „old“ at 75. Anyone over the age of 90 is categorised as very old, and from the age of 100 they are considered long-lived. According to the WHO, the group of 60- to 74-year-olds are not yet old, but so-called elderly people.
More and more older people in Germany
It is also a fact that the number of over-60s in Germany has increased by 50 per cent over the past 50 years, from 16 million to 24 million. And in 20 years it will be 28 million.
The number of over-80s has risen even more rapidly, almost quadrupling from 1.5 million in 1970 to 5.9 million today. According to forecasts, the over-80s will make up around ten per cent of the population in Germany by 2040 (7.7 million).
Longing to be old
Is the youth craze coming to an end? Will the elderly not only make up the largest proportion of the population, but will they also be the most popular phase of life in the future? Is the fear of old age fading and is it being replaced by a longing to be old?
The answer is yes. Because the vast majority of today's elderly are often physically and mentally fit, are interested and open-minded, and go through life confidently and calmly. They don't have to prove anything to themselves or their fellow human beings. They are ensnared by politics, finance and the consumer economy and enjoy it, well aware of their status.
Today's older people also have enough free time and can organise their lives more freely than younger people, who jump back and forth between education and leisure stress, family and career planning.
Outlook
An almost forgotten attitude towards old age is therefore emerging for the future: „Vigens, pius et honestus“ - capable, responsible and respected, as Cicero described the elderly in ancient Rome.
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