Old People Got No Reason to Live

Anyone who goes to a gym regularly has shared the experience. Gyms are filled with young people. Some of us have been shaking our heads over that for years; young people should work out, old people must work out.

The value of exercise for older people is widely reported. It seems likely to delay osteoporosis, fight cardiac disease and (perhaps via improved circulatory function) slow dementia. Hard to argue with the benefits.

Yet, unfortunately, few seniors exercise. Perhaps worse, recent publicity campaigns and the spread of the culture of exercise hasn't budged the exercise habits of the seniors. According to CDC surveys published in a USA Today column by Kim Painter today, about 20% of seniors exercise regularly. A number that is essentially unchanged over the last 10 years.

What does it mean? Old dogs really don't learn new tricks. Exercise appears to be a habit that the seniors won't learn. Sure, the amount of pub on 'exercise and aging' could be doubled or redoubled, but the message actually has been delivered, particularly of the last 10 years. It just hasn't been generally heard. There is no earthly reason to suppose that will change.

For the vast majority of people, it looks as though the only practical solution is to start young. Easy to say, hard to do. Perhaps, just not as hard as starting when old.