Editorial: Adapting to longevity

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.

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.

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.

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.

But the article also recognized the downsides of longevity -- difficulties associated with disabilities, health and memory problems, lack of long-term income.

New stage, new world

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.

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."

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."

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Editorial: Adapting to longevity