Age is just a number, right? Well, not exactly. While age itself doesn’t define a person, there are some important considerations around what it means to be 84 years old.
At 84, a person is solidly in the latter part of life. They have likely already retired and may require more medical care and assistance with daily activities. Their bodies are showing natural signs of aging like reduced mobility, vision changes, and hearing loss. Most 84 year olds are grandparents, if not great-grandparents.
So in many tangible ways, yes, age 84 is considered old. But that doesn’t mean an 84 year old can’t still lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key factors around age 84.
Life Expectancy
One important consideration around age is life expectancy. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average life expectancy for someone who has already reached age 84 is:
| Gender | Life Expectancy at Age 84 |
|---|---|
| Male | 8.4 years (to age 92.4) |
| Female | 9.1 years (to age 93.1) |
So on average, a person who reaches age 84 can expect to live around 8-9 more years. However, many factors influence an individual’s life span, including genetics, lifestyle, and access to healthcare. Some 84 year olds may only live a few more years, while others thrive into their late 90s or beyond 100.
The majority of 84 year olds in developed countries will live into their early 90s. But making it far past 100 is still relatively rare. Only about 1 in 7,000 people in the US live to age 100 or older.
Health Concerns
In terms of physical health, the body goes through many natural changes with age that become increasingly apparent by the 80s. Some common age-related health concerns for 84 year olds include:
– Heart disease – The risk of cardiovascular disease like heart attacks and stroke rise substantially in old age. 84 year olds may experience chest pain, palpitations, or shortness of breath from heart ailments.
– Cancer – While cancer can happen at any age, the risk increases significantly in the elder years. 84 year olds are more prone to cancers like lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer.
– Arthritis – The joints become more inflamed and less flexible over time. Most 84 year olds have some degree of osteoarthritis, leading to chronic stiffness and pain.
– Osteoporosis – With advanced age, bones grow weaker and have lower mineral density. This makes fractures and broken bones more likely with minor falls or accidents.
– Diabetes – Blood sugar management often gets worse in old age, even for those diagnosed earlier in life. Nearly 1 in 4 adults over 65 have diabetes.
– Hearing loss – Over 80% of 84 year olds suffer from hearing impairment, ranging from mild to profound deafness. This makes communication difficult.
– Vision loss – A vast majority of 84 year olds experience age-related vision changes like presbyopia, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. These affect the ability to read, drive, and live independently.
Mental Health
Just as physical health declines with age, mental sharpness also diminishes for many older adults. By 84, it’s common to experience:
– Slower thinking and recall
– Short-term memory lapses
– Difficulty learning new information
– Increased anxiety or sadness over health or losing independence
– Higher risk of dementia, like Alzheimer’s disease
However, if an 84 year old stays socially and mentally active, eats a brain-healthy diet, and treats any medical issues like thyroid problems or depression, their cognitive function can remain relatively sharp. Personality also doesn’t necessarily change much, so many 84 year olds maintain a positive outlook on life.
Daily Living
Day-to-day activities require more time and effort for most 84 year olds due to decreased mobility and health issues. On average, an 84 year old may experience:
– Difficulty walking independently, reliance on canes or walkers
– Need for handrails, raised toilets, and other home modifications
– Problems performing personal care like bathing, dressing, grooming
– Challenges with chores, cooking, driving, finances
– Fatigue or low energy requiring more rest breaks
– Trouble hearing phone conversations or TV programs
– Vision loss making reading regular text difficult
While not every 84 year old requires help with daily living, most do benefit from some assistance from family, friends, or professional caregivers. Safety also becomes a bigger concern due to risk of falls.
Social Life
The social life and relationships of an 84 year old reflect their growing dependency and shrinking world. Common changes include:
– Smaller social network as peers pass away
– Less frequent outings due to limited mobility
– Reliance on family for transportation needs
– Moving to a senior living community
– Difficulty using technology like smartphones or computers
– Role shifting to being the elder relative versus parent or grandparent
– New friendships with other seniors, caretakers
– Appreciation for smaller moments or experiences
On the positive side, 84 year olds often have more free time to pursue hobbies, connect with loved ones, and enjoy their surroundings. Their wealth of life experience also allows them to impart wisdom to younger generations.
Finances
Money and expenses shift significantly for most 84 year olds:
– Living on fixed income from Social Security, pensions, retirement savings
– Concern over outliving their money as care expenses rise
– More medications and healthcare appointments to pay for
– Renewed interest in life insurance due to pending end of life
– Reliance on family to assist with finances or serve as power of attorney
– Downsizing possessions to reduce costs and maintenance
Adapting to economic changes can be difficult. But sound financial planning earlier in life, like paying off debt and saving adequately for retirement, helps ensure a comfortable standard of living at age 84.
Relationships
Family relationships for an 84 year old largely depend on their marital status:
| Marital Status | Typical Family Relationships |
|---|---|
| Married | – Spouse likely similar in age or a bit younger – Most married couples in 80s have been together 40-60 years – Both spouses require more caregiving from each other or family |
| Widowed | – Lost spouse already, possibly many years prior – Significant grief, loneliness, and adjustment to solo living – Focus shifts to relationships with adult children and grandchildren |
| Divorced | – Uncommon; only 5% of seniors are divorced – Some reconnect with prior spouses after other partner dies – Otherwise focus on connections with close family or friends |
| Never Married | – Very rare over age 80 – Likely has close relationships with nieces/nephews or extended family – Friendships play bigger role for companionship and care |
Despite marital status, most 84 year olds draw comfort and joy from visits and interactions with family. Adult children, grandkids, and great-grandchildren become critical for socializing and practical support.
Lifestyle
The average lifestyle for an 84 year old revolves around home, family, and simple pleasures:
– Slower paced, more sedentary routine
– Emphasis on comfortable surroundings
– Enjoyment of television, reading, puzzles, sedentary hobbies
– Participation in low-impact exercise like walking
– Important social interactions at senior center or place of worship
– Indulging in favorite foods or desserts
– Gardening, cooking, baking for hobby or food prep
– Nostalgia for the past through photos, music, memoirs
– Pets providing companionship and purpose
– Travel limited to visiting family or occasional excursions
– Appreciation for rest, relaxation, and contentment
Later in life, even small joys – like a call from a loved one or sunny day – can brighten an 84 year old’s mood and outlook. Focus shifts to finding meaning in simple moments.
Independence
The ability to live independently depends greatly on each 84 year old’s health status:
| Living Situation | Health Profile |
|---|---|
| Alone in private home | – Relatively healthy – Mobile and active – Able to care for self – May have visiting assistance |
| With spouse or family | – Moderately impaired – Benefits from support for certain tasks – Still somewhat active and mobile |
| Senior living community | – Frail overall – Needs help with most daily activities – Requires accessible housing |
| Nursing home | – Severely impaired – Totally dependent for personal care – Suffers from multiple chronic illnesses |
An 84 year old’s living situation gives insight into their health and capability to function independently. But the goal for most is to remain in a home setting with assistance as needed.
Outlook on Mortality
By 84, thoughts on mortality are frequent and vivid:
– Awareness of being close to average life expectancy
– Concern over health crises, sudden declines
– Acceptance of death as a natural ending
– Curiosity about the dying process
– Hope for a peaceful, painless death
– Relief death means an end to suffering
– Regret over unresolved issues or goodbyes
– Appreciation for each day at an advanced age
– Desire to get one’s affairs in order
– Interest in advanced directives and will
– Importance of spiritual or religious beliefs
With death more imminent, 84 year olds often shift focus to enjoying the present rather than dwelling on the inevitable. Maintaining a sense of purpose also helps counter anxieties about mortality.
Historical Context
The perception of age 84 depends heavily on the era an individual was born into:
| Birth Year | Historical Context |
|---|---|
| 1920s | – Came of age during Great Depression, WWII – Experienced poverty, sacrifice, uncertainty |
| 1930s | – Born during economic crisis but opportunity of New Deal era – War and rationing during childhood |
| 1940s | – War babies, born during WWII chaos but hopefulness after – Economic prosperity and optimism of 1950s |
| 1950s-60s | – Born into more peace, stability – But cultural upheavals of 1960s, 1970s |
Someone born in lean times may view reaching 84 as a feat compared to never expecting to live so long. Younger 84 year olds encountered more political and social changes.
Perceptions of Old Age
Views on old age have shifted over time:
| Era | Perceptions of Old Age |
|---|---|
| Early 20th century | – Old age seen as period of decline, dependency – Few made it to age 80s due to lower life expectancy – Caregiving done by families at home |
| Mid-late 20th century | – More medical advances extended life expectancies – Rise of nursing homes for elder care needs – Isolation or institutionalization of old people |
| Early 21st century | – 80s seen as start of old age versus 70s decades ago – Focus on healthy, active aging rather than frailty – Desire for independence plus home care |
While old age was once more revered, it later became associated with loss. But modern views are shifting to respect wisdom and dignity in aging.
Differences by Gender
A few key differences emerge when comparing 84 year old females versus males:
– **Life expectancy** – Women typically outlive men by around 5 years, so 84 year old females have higher remaining life expectancy (9.1 vs. 8.4 more years).
– **Marital status** – More women are widowed by their 80s due to men dying younger. 84 year old men are more likely to still have a living spouse.
– **Living situation** – Widowed women are more apt to live alone at 84 and not remarry. Men are more often in a couple household.
– **Financial status** – After divorce or death of a husband, elderly women have higher rates of poverty and financial instability.
– **Caregiving** – Daughters tend to be the default caregivers for aging mothers, providing more hands-on support.
– **Relationships** – Female friendships take on importance, while men rely more on wives for companionship.
– **Health concerns** – While some diseases affect both sexes, women have higher osteoporosis rates while men see more prostate issues.
So an 84 year old woman’s experience may differ from a man’s in terms of longevity, social connections, money management, and health patterns.
Is 84 Really Old?
While 84 is undeniably late in life, viewing it only as old age dismisses the vitality and wisdom that can come with 84 years of living. Some ways to recognize the strengths of 84 year olds include:
– **Focus on abilities** – Most 84 year olds maintain curiosity and enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures. Their capabilities still matter, not just limitations.
– **Share their stories** – With eight decades behind them, 84 year olds have endless lessons and experiences to impart to younger generations.
– **Involve them** – Staying relevant and having purpose is crucial. Include 84 year old loved ones in activities and conversations.
– **Check your stereotypes** – Avoid assumptions that 84 year olds are frail, impaired, or cognitively deficient. Assess each individual.
– **Honor their past** – Recognize the personal and historical significance of the times an octogenarian has lived through.
– **Reframe “old”** – Respect the courage, resilience, and wisdom that can come after a long, full life.
In many ways, 84 years young may be a more fitting perspective than 84 years old. Staying open to what an 84 year old can do emphasizes their abilities more than their age.
Conclusion
While 84 is considered old age due to its proximity to the end of life, focusing solely on health declines, dependency, and mortality fails to honor the profound emotional and mental growth that can come with being 84. No single number defines a human life.
By staying engaged, developing new friendships, sharing hard-earned wisdom, and treasuring small joys, 84 year olds demonstrate that later life has value. Their stories and experiences deserve appreciation, not just their former youth and vigor.
Growing old is a privilege denied to many. 84 year olds have won the gift of time and perspective that few attain. Elders should be revered, not dismissed or forgotten based on ageist stereotypes. Living a long life, through all its ups and downs, merits admiration.