Old age starts at new age

Age 71 is the new 60.

According to a survey of more than 7,000 adults in 19 countries by Euro RSCG Worldwide, people have new thoughts about growing old. In fact, many respondents said that middle age doesn’t start until 48, while old age doesn’t start until 71.

It takes people even longer to feel old. About 60% of the respondents said that they feel younger than their age, and more than half are confident that they look younger.

Almost 7% of the world’s population is 65 or older and the average life expectancy is 67 — 27 years longer than the life expectancy a century ago. As a result, people are adjusting their lifestyles by staying in school longer, as well as marrying and having children later.

The idea of lifelong independence and mobility are affecting the way people want to age, said Marianne Hurstel, global chief strategy officer of Euro RSCG.

“Now we must age in such a way that we retain our ability to do things, to contribute and be productive, and to remain a vital part of what’s happening around us,” she said.

In fact, respondents said that they are concerned about their loss of independence, mobility and financial security. Two-thirds said that they are worried about diminished physical capacity as they grow older, while almost as many worry about losing their cognitive skills.

Additionally, more than 60% said that they are worried about running out of money before they die.

Respondents said that they don’t want to live a long time if their health is poor. About four in 10 said that they would prefer not to live until their late 90s and would rather die younger if it meant that they were less frail and more independent.