I’m always intrigued when I see adults (30s+) with able bodied grandparents - How is that possible?

[Anonymous]

Im 40 and my last grandmother passed away last year. I am one of the youngest of my generation. So my siblings and cousins were 50ish when she passed. Our kids range from baby to college. She hosted Thanksgiving until I was in my mid 20s. I didn't have kids then but my siblings did. And we all live in the DC area. It's not that uncommon.

[Anonymous]

I am 37. Both of my grandpas are still alive, at age 97. They are physically capable and mentally agile. One grandpa goes grocery shopping almost daily, the other still runs his antique shop.

How? Well I am an immigrant. Both old men have lived in my home country their entire life, enjoyed a healthy diet and regular exercise, and a decent pension their entire life. Sad to see a lot of senior Americans won't be able to do the same

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 37. Both of my grandpas are still alive, at age 97. They are physically capable and mentally agile. One grandpa goes grocery shopping almost daily, the other still runs his antique shop.

How? Well I am an immigrant. Both old men have lived in my home country their entire life, enjoyed a healthy diet and regular exercise, and a decent pension their entire life. Sad to see a lot of senior Americans won't be able to do the same

Read the thread above and you will see that many Americans do the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The type of situation where grandma is still hosting Thanksgiving, cooking and all when you are fully grown.

Did your grandparents have to have your parents young to be able bodied and alive when you are in your 30s, 40s, and beyond?

WTF? Most ppl have kids age 23-35 so yes they’re able bodied thirty years later at age 53-65 barring obesity, drug abuse, addictions, terrible health illnesses.

[Anonymous]

One of my grandmothers lived to 101 and was in good health until about 97. She was active, volunteered, maintained mental sharpness and was able to live alone and take care herself and her property until some point in her 90s.

My other grandmother lived to 97, was in a hiking club until she was in her 90s and hosted family meals in her home where she lived independently until she died. She never drank or smoke and had a really fun positive attitude all her life.

My husband's grandma is 89 and hosts a beautiful formal Thanksgiving for 40 people every year. She also lives alone and is healthy and active. He's 30 and his parents are 68.

Genetics I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yep, 2 generations having kids at 20/21. I’m 45 with living able grandparents.

yup. Have a friend who was 60 when Her Grandma passed (at 91 or 92). Grandma had her mom at 15, mom had her at 16. My friend waited until 30 to have kids, thus breaking the family habit of teen moms. But imagine there would have been Great great grandkids around (instead of just great grandkids) if she had kept up the tradition of teen moms.

Whereas my grandma passed when I was 31 because she was 92. And my own parents will be mid80s+ easily before they have great-grandkids, and likely over 90

[Anonymous]

Very common where I grew up (Armenia). Women marry soon after college and typically start having children in their mid-twenties. For the first grandchild, the grandparent would be in their early fifties and very involved usually. It's not uncommon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:isn't just math? If grandma had a kid at 20, your mom at 25, then you can be 30 with a 75 year old grandma in good health.

HS friend who was an oops when her parents were in college. Mom had her @ 20, and that mom was born when her mom was 20, so there you go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The type of situation where grandma is still hosting Thanksgiving, cooking and all when you are fully grown.

Did your grandparents have to have your parents young to be able bodied and alive when you are in your 30s, 40s, and beyond?

I have one grandma like this. Combo of different things. She got married at 19 and had my mom at 20. Although my mom had all her kids over thirty. She also always kept her weight under control and maintains an active social network of extended family members which I think also keeps her young.