What is Actually Like to be Over 90

I am dedicating this posting to all my Kasimanwa (town mates) all over the World in the town where I spent my childhood and teenager years in the Philippines. The town of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. Today, the Feast of St Peter and Paul, is the Feast Day of Barotac Viejo.  

This posting is inspired when one of my younger relatives asked me recently if I really happy and what it is actually like to be over 90 years old.  I did some search and I am reposting the following article by Kathryn Etsy as follows. I can identify with most of the issues written in this article. 

If you follow my blogs you probably know I turned 90 last December 20. 2024.  

The link of the article is at the bottom of the page. This is a must read if your are 90 or over. 

"What is it like being really old, like 90 or older? Are you thinking nonagenarians are sick, unhappy, out of it, frail, forgetful, slow, stuck in their ways, grumpy, and incompetent? Do people’s derogatory names like biddies, old farts, geezers, and old bats come to mind? No one ever says, “I can’t wait to be 90.” But then, of course, being really old is always better than the alternative.

 What You Believe About Being Really Old is Mostly Wrong.

Now that I am 88, and 90 is on my horizon, I am wondering what my own future will bring and how I will fare. I interviewed over 130 people who were in their eighties for my book, EightySomethings: A Practical Guide to Letting Go, Aging Well, and Finding Unexpected Happiness. My major finding was how happy people in their 80s are, and how unexpected their happiness is. I often talk about the amazing research of Laura Carstensen at Stanford University and many others who have found that people in their 60s are happier than people in their 50s, people in their 70s are happier than people in their 60s, and people in their 80s are happier than people in their 70s.

Will the happiness I have written so much about continue for me as I age? Living at a retirement community over these last 10 years, I have observed dozens of people in their 90s. But I have never asked them point blank how happy they were.

So this last week I interviewed five people who are 93 or older — three women and two men to get a sense of what the future might hold from this small sample. All of them live in the independent living section of a retirement community near Boston and all are financially secure. That makes them somewhat unusual as about 75% of nonagenarians live in households and typically rely on Social Security for about half of their income, according to a 2019 U.S. Census Bureau study.

Four of my interviewees no longer drive. One is in a wheelchair and has full-time care. All their spouses have died. Four of them have significant hearing loss and use hearing aids and one of them has vision issues. All of them are articulate and answered my questions with ease.

Disability Issues

Disability is more common for nonagenarians, according to the U.S. Census Bureau study. Overall, the proportion of people aged 90 to 94 having disabilities is more than 13 percentage points higher than that of 85- to 89-year-olds. The most common types of disabilities reported to the Census Bureau included difficulty doing errands alone and performing general mobility-related activities like walking or climbing stairs.

When I asked them about what brings them joy and pleasure nowadays, four of the five said being with family was their greatest pleasure. It turns out family at 90 can mean our blood relatives or chosen family, like a godchild or a step-nephew, and their visits bring great joy.

They also said that being with family was what gives purpose and meaning to their life now. Two of them reported they get together each week for a Zoom meeting with their children and some of their grandchildren. Four of those I spoke with have members of their families who frequently visit. The fifth person said her family doesn’t come that often, but she has many friends. One person said her purpose was “spreading love around.” Another said meaning came from a belief in Jesus and in eternal life. 

All five are active. But their world has grown smaller. They paint, take walks, take courses, are in book clubs, go to concerts, attend exercise classes, have dinner with friends and acquaintances, sing in a singing group, and play cards. One of the five recently flew across the country to visit an even older sibling. Travel is no longer that easy for others. They do support causes they believe in financially. They are far less engaged in community organizations and churches and they avoid positions of responsibility.

Asked about their biggest challenges, four of them said that living with the loss of a beloved spouse or the loss of a partner is the hardest part of their current life. They talked about how difficult it is to be on their own. The loss of friends is also a challenge. Not being able to drive anymore was another big challenge for the four who can’t drive any longer.

Lucky to Be Alive

All of them talked about health issues but, interestingly, none of them said that health is their biggest challenge. And they all expressed feeling lucky just to be alive. They all said that they have fewer challenges than most people their age. Surprisingly, then they mentioned having three or four very serious conditions like macular degeneration, arthritis in their back and feet, heart problems, neuropathy, and cancer.

As a group, they are very concerned about the uncertain future of our country and the world. One put it this way, “The world is coming apart at the seams.” But they are content to have stepped off center stage. It is now up to the younger generations to fix the world’s problems. None of those I spoke with expressed any worry about death or dying. Only one of them mentioned it, saying, “I don’t think about dying.”

I asked each of the five, “How happy have you been in general during the last year? Using a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being ‘not at all happy,’ 6 being ‘sometimes happy,’ 8 being ‘usually happy’ and 10 ‘always happy,’ how would you rate your happiness?” Four out of 5 said they were 8, ‘usually happy’ and one person responded 10, ‘always happy.’

Concluding Thoughts

To be in your nineties is different and more challenging than being in your eighties. The loss of so many of their beloved spouses, partners, family members, and friends makes the nineties more difficult than in earlier decades. And, people in their nineties, almost without exception, live with several major health issues as well. But as at all other ages, there are huge differences among those in the same age group". By Kathryn Etsy

https://community.thriveglobal.com/what-its-actually-like-to-be-over-90/

Meanwhile, Did you know that....

There are nearly 2 million nonagenarians – people in their 90s – in the U.S., that number is projected to increase to 10 million to 12 million by the middle of the century, raising concerns that the current healthcare system may not be able to accommodate this population. What percent of Americans live to be 90?  In the US population 30% of females live into their 90's, but only over 18% of males. 

Lastly,  What is artificial intelligence?( From the Washington Post)
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Artificial intelligence is an umbrella term for a vast array of technology. There is no single definition, and even researchers disagree. Generally, AI is a field of computer science that focuses on creating and training machines to perform intelligent tasks, “something that, if a person was doing it, we would call it intelligence,” said Larry Birnbaum, a professor of computer science at Northwestern University.

Inside the secret list of websites that make AI like ChatGPT sound smart

For decades, AI has largely been used for analysis, allowing people to spot patterns and make predictions by assessing huge sets of data.

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But advancements in the field have led to a boom in generative AI, a form of artificial intelligence that can make things. The technology can create words, sounds, images and video, sometimes at a level of sophistication that mimics human creativity. It backs chatbots like ChatGPT and image generators like DALL-E.

Although this technology can’t “think” like humans do, it can sometimes create work of a similar quality. AI-powered image generators have made photos that tricked art judges into thinking they were human-made, and voice generating software has preserved voices of people suffering from degenerative diseases such as ALS.

Chatbots backed by generative AI have dazzled users by carrying on eerily lifelike conversations — an early dream of the field as envisioned by Alan Turing. 

In 1950, he developed the “Turing test,” which judged the success of an AI machine by how well it could fool users into believing it was human. Turing never gave much credence to the idea that a computer could really “think” — he called that question “too meaningless to deserve discussion.”

What is Like Being Alone in Your 80's or 90's

From My Readings on Aging Gracefully!

Me and Macrine (RIP), May 8, 2019, Fair Oaks, California, Our 62nd Wedding Anniversary  

There are many reasons why older adults feel lonely. One of the biggest is the loss of a spouse or partner. When someone you have spent most of your life with is gone, it can leave a deep hole in your heart and in your routine.

Children often grow up and move far away. They may live in different cities or states for work, school, or family reasons. Even when there is love, physical distance makes regular visits harder. Phone calls and video chats help, but they aren’t the same as being there.

Friendships can also fade over time. Friends may pass away or lose touch. Others may move into different communities or assisted living homes. Losing people from your social circle one by one can make the world feel smaller.

Physical challenges play a big role too. Trouble walking, seeing, or hearing can make it difficult to go out or stay in touch. Simple activities like walking to the store or visiting a friend become much harder. This can trap older adults inside, alone.

Technology adds another layer. Younger generations often stay connected through smartphones and social media. But many seniors did not grow up with these tools. Learning them later in life can feel overwhelming or even impossible. This digital divide can lead to feelings of exclusion.

Being in your 80's or 90's is a gift—but it can also feel like a quiet burden.

The days grow longer. The phone rings less often. And the house that once echoed with laughter may now sit in stillness.

You’ve lived through decades. You’ve watched people come and go.

And now, more than ever, you may find yourself sitting alone with your thoughts.

Alone with memories. Alone with the ache of what used to be.

This kind of solitude is different. It isn’t always sad. But it can feel heavy.

It can feel like the world keeps spinning while you sit still. And sometimes, it can be hard to explain that kind of loneliness to anyone else.

It’s not just about being without others in the room.

It’s about how life feels when the familiar voices fade.  When routines change.

When time feels slower. And when connection seems further away than it used to.

But even in that quiet, there’s still value. There’s still strength. And there are still ways to feel whole again.

You are not forgotten. And you are certainly not alone in how you feel.

Final Thoughts

Loneliness in our later years is a quiet struggle, but it doesn’t have to be. American culture, with its love of freedom and youth, sometimes forgets its elders. But there is room to grow, to shift values, and to build stronger connections.

Everyone grows older. Everyone will need care and company at some point. Recognizing that truth can help create a more caring society, where aging is not a burden but a chapter full of meaning.

Small acts of kindness and big changes in thinking both matter. Together, they can create a future where no one has to face their later years alone. A phone call, a helping hand, a simple conversation. These are the seeds of a culture that honors its elders and ensures no one is left behind.

Meanwhile, here are the 10 largest Jewish Communities in the World

Finally, here are 35 Mondegreens

Thirty Longest Words in English

Here are the 30 longest words in English to add to your vocabulary, in case you have not heard of them.

1. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis | A lung disease caused by inhaling very fine silicate or quartz dust. (Longest word in a major dictionary)

2. Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia | Ironically, the fear of long words.

3. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious | A playful, invented word meaning “fantastic” (from Mary Poppins).

4. Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism | A mild form of a rare genetic disorder.

5. Floccinaucinihilipilification | The act of describing something as unimportant or worthless.

6. Antidisestablishmentarianism | Originally, a political position against disestablishing the Church of England.

7. Incomprehensibilities | Things that are difficult or impossible to understand.

8. Thyroparathyroidectomized | Having had the thyroid and parathyroid glands surgically removed.

9. Electroencephalographically | In a manner related to measuring electrical activity of the brain.

10. Psychoneuroendocrinological | Relating to psychology, neurology, and hormones.

11. Uncharacteristically | In a way that is not typical for a person or thing.

12. Counterrevolutionaries | People who oppose a political revolution.

13. Radioimmunoelectrophoresis | A scientific method used in medical testing.

14. Microspectrophotometries | Measuring the light spectra absorbed by microscopic samples.

15. Transubstantiationalist | Someone who believes in transubstantiation in theology.

16. Honorificabilitudinitatibus | The state of being able to achieve honors (used by Shakespeare).

17. Insubordinationist | One who consistently disobeys authority.

18. Overintellectualization | Excessive analysis or rational thought.

19. Hypercholesterolemia | The condition of having high cholesterol levels.

20. Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine | The chemical name for the explosive known as tetryl.

21. Mischaracterizations | Inaccurate or unfair descriptions of someone or something.

22. Chrononhotonthologos | A parody tragedy from the 18th century (also a long invented word).

23. Disproportionableness | The quality of being out of proportion.

24. Unconstitutionality | Being inconsistent with or in violation of a constitution.

25. Overcommercialization | Excessive emphasis on making money in cultural or social areas.

26. Deoxyribonucleoprotein | A complex of DNA and protein.

27. Pharmacogenomics | The study of how genes affect drug response.

28. Uncontrollably | In a manner that cannot be controlled.

29. Internationalization | The process of making something international in scope.

30. Anthropomorphologically | In a way that attributes human characteristics to non-humans.

Meanwhile,Here's Pink beach at Komado National Park

Lastly, Presenting the......

The Stunning Golden Blue Arowana!

This incredible fish, known for its vibrant and iridescent scales, is the Golden Blue Arowana. It's a rare and mesmerizing species found in Southeast Asia, and its beauty is beyond words.

Fun Fact: The Golden Blue Arowana is considered a symbol of luck and fortune in many cultures!

Trump and Putin Photos

If you have been reading social media, you probably have seen numerous TACO ( Trump Always chicken out) photos of Trump

This posting I am sharing with you some of the humorous, comical and satire photos of our current president. Enjoy!   

https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?phrase=trump+taco

Meanwhile, my photo of the Day:

You Can Spot the World's Heaviest Eagle! Prepare to be awe-struck! The Philippines is the exclusive home of the Philippine Eagle, also known as the "monkey-eating eagle."

This isn't just any eagle; it's one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the entire world by length and wing surface area. It's critically endangered, which makes seeing one an extremely rare and privileged experience.

Its sheer size and majestic presence are truly breathtaking.

Lastly, here are the companies in the Chatbot Race ( From the Washington Post)

Companies in the chatbot race

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• OpenAI: The San Francisco-based artificial intelligence research lab launched as a nonprofit to build “artificial general intelligence” outside of Big Tech’s control. Since then, it’s transformed into a major corporate player, creating image generator DALL-E and chatbot ChatGPT. It is now for-profit and has partnered with companies including Microsoft and Salesforce.
• Google: The tech giant — long a leader in AI including via search — launched chatbot Bard after competitors’ offerings went viral. It is known for its LaMDA technology, a system for building chatbots based on large language models.

Their voices are their livelihood. Now AI could take it away.

• Microsoft: The software company invested billions of dollarsin OpenAI and teamed up to create a Bing chatbot, developed on GPT-4 technology. But there have been missteps, including when the chatbot went rogue, told reporters it has feelings and called itself Sydney — forcing the tech giant to reel it back in some ways.
• Meta: Even before ChatGPT, Facebook’s parent companyreleased a chatbot called Blenderbot, but it failed to gain traction. Its chief artificial intelligence scientist later called the bot “boring” because it was “made safe.”
• IBM: IBM was an early leader in artificial intelligence close to the current chatbot trends, most notably with its robot Watson, which captivated audiences on “Jeopardy!”
• Have a Good Thursday Afternoon, EveryOne

Sausalito Ferry Trip and Lunch- A Panoramic and Gastronomic Delight

Another fun-filled and perfect THD excursion was our Sausalito Ferry Ride and Lunch at THE TRIDENT💚 Restaurant yesterday.  Six THD adventurous/eager residents along with our  excellent driver LIZA and Capable Activity host TED, enjoyed the perfect clear summer day in Sausalito to the fullest. It is indeed an activity that enhanced our Quality of Life and Sense of Commnunity Belonging here at THD. 

Thank You Ted and Liza.  I took pictures during this excursion and delighted to share it with you.       

My Baked Oysters Appetizer-Reminds Me of my Oyster Rockefeller Recipe

My $18 Tequila Sunrise Cocktail- The tequila sunrise is a cocktail made of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. The drink is served unmixed in a tall glass. The modern drink originates from the TRIDENT in Sausalito, California, in the early 1970s after an earlier iteration created in the 1930s in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Yee Tock Chee Park-in Honor of Indy's (My Massage Therapist) Grand Father

yee tock chee park

MAD at Yee Tock Chee Park with The San Franciso Skyline in the Background  

Another red Cap, I purchased to add to my collection. 
💚https://www.thetrident.net/

We want Liza and Ted Again for our next lunch excursion. Thanks again Liza and Ted from the bottom of our hearts.