The American Dream: A Long, Healthy Life

“He who has health has hope. And, he who has hope has everything.”
Arabian Proverb

The hope of many Americans is a long life. Some just want to live longer than their parents did. Others want to live to 100 or older! As I read articles and talk to people about aging, a constant theme emerges. They all want to live a healthy life. “As long as I can be physically and mentally healthy, I want to live to be at least 90,” Marilyn tells me.

Marilyn’s generation (the tail-end of the baby boomers) wants to live long and continue doing activities they have done in their youth. They want to feel young, stay fit and be active. The key word is vital! This generation wants to stay vital financially, spiritually, mentally, and socially. J. Walker Smith and Ann S. Clurman call this generation “youth-obsessed and middle age-less.” In their book, Generation Ageless, Smith and Clurman state, “This dynamic generation is nearing the traditional age of retirement, but is in no mood to slow down.”

Baby boomers: A New Way to Grow Old by Tom Valeo states, “By 2030, when the last of the boomers reach 65, the number of people in this country over 65 will be about 70 million-double what it is today.” For this dream of a long life to occur “boomers” know they must take charge of their health. In American Dream: Live Long and Prosper, I read “Americans think having a positive outlook, exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods and keeping stress to a minimum play an important role in staying healthy as one grows older.” Marilyn walks two miles every day. She follows a strength training program, watches what she eats, and practices a positive attitude.

Marilyn’s hope is to retire in her 50s and devote some of her time to volunteer work. She also wants to travel and collect and sell antiques. Staying healthy should help her reach her goals and fulfill her dream.