The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
Well I did ask Deepseek what old age was and got this -
The concept of "old age" can vary depending on cultural, societal, and individual perspectives. Generally, old age is often associated with retirement ages, which is typically around 65 years in many countries. However, with increasing life expectancy and healthier lifestyles, many people in their 60s and even 70s may not consider themselves old.
In a more formal context, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines "older" adults as those aged 65 and above, but this can be further divided into:
I must admit that diving got to me by about age 65. Mind you all my diving was at 50m plus but I was getting bent every dive by then. It had to stop.
I guess with caving that you can plod on until some part of your body rebels. I do find the digging activities getting harder year by year now. I try to stay fit but of course in the end time catches up. I like the concept of " Middle-old " it gives me another six years in theory. Slowly the stamina is seeping away along with the strength. I would say the hard part is now not knowing. Any sort of long return trip is a best guessed scenario when years back you never really thought about it. My generation is lucky I guess. We only had one overweight person in our whole school 65 years ago. She was remarkable because of that fact alone. Today the ratio is far more pronounced.
Perhaps older cavers will become an historical anomaly in years to come. Of course you have also got to consider the the psychological aspect. I try to understand that. My motivation if you like. I don't know really. There are many aspects. I like practical problem solving, being with like minded people and of course the excercise involved. I guess that I am a digger at heart. You cant have a long term interest without a driving force. Something to set against the passage of time and the inability to do what you used to do. I no longer go digging with the expectation of finding anything. In fact over many years I have found that any discovery is often the end of the road. The journey was fun the destination marked the end of it.
So at age 78 this year I plod on. Sometimes two trips a week. I like to think that I am a moderate driving force in the team but really I am the weakest link. ( being the oldest ). Compensation is the thing. I organise, plan get equipment and take innumerable photos. OK I don't dig like the others but I still feel useful.
At any age fitness and health is a gift that can be revoked so in a sense its a matter of luck ( or genetics ). My Dad was a Third Dan karate expert . The fittest person I ever knew. Gone at 55 with prostate cancer. In a sense you have to get done the things you enjoy doing as it cant go on for ever. Ultimately if you care for another that may become a deciding factor. My Mum you to say that I was irresponsible to go diving with a young family. Well after nearly dying on many occassions she might have been right. But then -- What do you owe yourself ? Not regret for missing out. Not getting to 50 plus when the kids have gone and the mortgage paid off. In many things there has to be a selfish aspect. Getting the balance is the hard part.
Time and tide wait for no man and tempus really does fugit. Look at each stage of life as a continuing gift. Do what you can within your own means and abilities. Dont give up because you think that age is a boundary. Boundaries are not limits they are there to be pushed against. Think also of others that care for you. Desiderata says " Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth." Of course the downside of all this is that I might be bombarding you with more photos for years yet to come. Must go now. Nurse is coming with the meds.
The concept of "old age" can vary depending on cultural, societal, and individual perspectives. Generally, old age is often associated with retirement ages, which is typically around 65 years in many countries. However, with increasing life expectancy and healthier lifestyles, many people in their 60s and even 70s may not consider themselves old.
In a more formal context, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines "older" adults as those aged 65 and above, but this can be further divided into:
- 65-74 years: Young-old
- 75-84 years: Middle-old
- 85 years and above: Old-old or the "oldest-old"
I must admit that diving got to me by about age 65. Mind you all my diving was at 50m plus but I was getting bent every dive by then. It had to stop.
I guess with caving that you can plod on until some part of your body rebels. I do find the digging activities getting harder year by year now. I try to stay fit but of course in the end time catches up. I like the concept of " Middle-old " it gives me another six years in theory. Slowly the stamina is seeping away along with the strength. I would say the hard part is now not knowing. Any sort of long return trip is a best guessed scenario when years back you never really thought about it. My generation is lucky I guess. We only had one overweight person in our whole school 65 years ago. She was remarkable because of that fact alone. Today the ratio is far more pronounced.
Perhaps older cavers will become an historical anomaly in years to come. Of course you have also got to consider the the psychological aspect. I try to understand that. My motivation if you like. I don't know really. There are many aspects. I like practical problem solving, being with like minded people and of course the excercise involved. I guess that I am a digger at heart. You cant have a long term interest without a driving force. Something to set against the passage of time and the inability to do what you used to do. I no longer go digging with the expectation of finding anything. In fact over many years I have found that any discovery is often the end of the road. The journey was fun the destination marked the end of it.
So at age 78 this year I plod on. Sometimes two trips a week. I like to think that I am a moderate driving force in the team but really I am the weakest link. ( being the oldest ). Compensation is the thing. I organise, plan get equipment and take innumerable photos. OK I don't dig like the others but I still feel useful.
At any age fitness and health is a gift that can be revoked so in a sense its a matter of luck ( or genetics ). My Dad was a Third Dan karate expert . The fittest person I ever knew. Gone at 55 with prostate cancer. In a sense you have to get done the things you enjoy doing as it cant go on for ever. Ultimately if you care for another that may become a deciding factor. My Mum you to say that I was irresponsible to go diving with a young family. Well after nearly dying on many occassions she might have been right. But then -- What do you owe yourself ? Not regret for missing out. Not getting to 50 plus when the kids have gone and the mortgage paid off. In many things there has to be a selfish aspect. Getting the balance is the hard part.
Time and tide wait for no man and tempus really does fugit. Look at each stage of life as a continuing gift. Do what you can within your own means and abilities. Dont give up because you think that age is a boundary. Boundaries are not limits they are there to be pushed against. Think also of others that care for you. Desiderata says " Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth." Of course the downside of all this is that I might be bombarding you with more photos for years yet to come. Must go now. Nurse is coming with the meds.
