My dad - age 85 and still gardening, cooking, traveling, active in his community and church.

My inlaws in their mid 70's are very healthy, no meds. MIL's vision is declining but not to a concerning degree, can still drive, read, etc.

My parents are late 70s and healthy and active. Dad on cholesterol medication- been on it for 20 years probably, but no health problems. Mom has more health problems unfortunately- blood pressure problems, severe osteoporosis, some minor memory issues- but is active socially and walks 2 miles every day. So while I would never say she has no health problems, she is living a healthy and active life with the ones that she does have.

I will say that both of my parents are slim, and my dad goes to the gym 5 times a week, and they drink only rarely, and I truly think this plays a big part.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 47 years old and on several meds, but I would consider myself active and healthy. I mean, meds keep me healthy. Some people need more pharmaceutical help than others.

Slippery slope though. Eventually all those RXs will catch up to you.

Is it though? A slippery slope?

Mom is very healthy. She does old people exercise a few times a week.
MIL has osteoporosis but is otherwise healthy.
FIL has lost a lot of weight and got into shape in his 60s. He no longer needs the meds he was on for cholesterol and pre diabetes.
My father is completely falling apart though.
All these people are early 70s. I think the most important thing is to keep your weight down.

Anonymous wrote:My FIL is 80 and doesn’t take a thing. Not even vitamins.

Always rail-thin. Forgets to eat. Near teetotaler. Maintains a huge vegetable garden and lawn. No other exercise routine except occasional walks with my MIL. Eats everything, loves desserts and pie.

My mom is 75, works full time, and only takes a thyroid medication she’s been on for decades. My dad is 70, also works full time. He’s had both knees replaced but otherwise doesn’t have any health issues.

Anonymous wrote:I’m 47 years old and on several meds, but I would consider myself active and healthy. I mean, meds keep me healthy. Some people need more pharmaceutical help than others.

Slippery slope though. Eventually all those RXs will catch up to you.

Anonymous wrote:For those responding about very healthy older people, were they always like this (if you have known them for decades)? Or was health something they got into in middle age?

My parents are healthy- mid 70s. No meds and they barely used any OTC meds. The only thing we ever had in the house was aspirin. My mom was always on the upper end of the BMI scale, but not overweight. My dad was on the lower end. They were never into exercising. The occasional walk outside and doing house/lawn work.

Very rare in America!

For those responding about very healthy older people, were they always like this (if you have known them for decades)? Or was health something they got into in middle age?

I’m 47 years old and on several meds, but I would consider myself active and healthy. I mean, meds keep me healthy. Some people need more pharmaceutical help than others.

My FIL is 80 and doesn’t take a thing. Not even vitamins.

Yes my parents. 78yo & 76yo They both only take multivitamins.

My mom went in a health kick at age 40. She always ate healthy (mainly lots of vegetables and watching sugar intake) even though she let us eat McD and fried foods at kids. She’s a bit less obsessive with her diet but she only drinks water andtea.

She retired from teaching 15 years ago and started working out 3x a week. She does yoga, Zumba, and lifts light weights. She convinced my dad to eat more healthy since he retired a few years ago. He is not very flexible or athletic but they play pickleball in their 55+ community and walk 6 miles almost every day since Covid.

A few years ago my teenage athlete son was trying to show her different workouts he does and was so impressed that my mom was familiar with and could do most of them (but with lighter weights). She said her class uses funny made up names for the exercises so the “old people don’t get intimidated”.

My mom is 86 and has no conditions, takes no meds. Very active, still driving, cognitively all there. She’s lucky!