THE AGE RANGE CLUBS

Denarian: someone between 10 and 19 years of age
Vicenarian: someone between 20 and 29 years of age
Tricenarian: someone between 30 and 39 years of age
Quadragenarian: someone between 40 and 49 years of age
Quinquagenarian: someone between 50 and 59 years of age
Sexagenarian: someone between 60 and 69 years of age
Septuagenarian: someone between 70 and 79 years of age
Octogenarian: someone between 80 and 89 years of age
Nonagenarian: someone between 90 and 99 years of age
Centenarian: someone between 100 and 109 years of age
Supercentenarian: someone over 110 years of age

 Many people become members of these clubs during a lifetime.   Membership in any of them is not exclusive.  As a matter of fact, many people move from one club to another reaping its advantages.   However, not too many join the Nonagenarian Club.  But it is an honor to be admitted.  Extended longevity is a qualification to be enrolled.  It takes faith, love and personal responsibility to enjoy its benefits.   While in the club one has an opportunity to find even more appreciation of life.  There are continuous expectations to succeed and for some to be creative.  Also, there is great pleasure to be able to share and enjoy time with loved ones and to witness the achievements and success of one’s children and grandchildren.  There is so much wisdom and learning still to be gained in this club.

 Professor Dunbar of Columbia University studied people in their nineties and referred to them as nimble nonagenarians.  He considered them nimble because they do not accept what they hear about old age.  They are characteristically able to avoid negative emotions and have the psychological facility to bounce back from the setbacks of life.

Self worth plays a big part of their survival value and it has been said that, “depressed people may be realistic but optimists live longer.” 

The United States Census Bureau reports that because of the increase in life expectancy at older ages people 90 and older now comprise 4.7 percent of the population (age 65 and older) as compared with only 2.8 percent in 1980.  However, by 2050, this share is likely to reach 10 percent.  Such information might not appear statistically significant but it indicates that living longer can be a gift to enjoy. 

 So, those of us who see each other as older or getting older need not berate but praise aging and recognize it as a continued opportunity to benefit from life’s blessings.