What does it mean to be ‘Living life to the fullest’?

This means active ageing and one thing that can make the difference between healthy and unhealthy ageing is lifelong learning. According to the Harvard University Longitudinal Study of Adult Development, continued learning determines “the degree to which life will be satisfying to us, as well as the degree to which we will be interesting, valuable, life-giving to others.” 

Learning projects that keep elderly’ minds active also expand their horizons and give them opportunities to be in community with others on retreats, study groups, or in online e-courses.

Promises such as “Instant age eraser” and reverse ageing process, the denial of unlimited reality is encouraged to the maximum by those that stand to profit.  Even then, mental clarity is more likely to remain to the end. “Clearly, life does not end till it ends.” 

• Old brains are no less intellectually competent than young brains. “Scientists have discovered that older people, while not as quick computationally as younger people, do think just as well as the young, but differently — with more depth, with more reflection, with more philosophical awareness.”
• Only 5 percent of those over 65 are in special-care institutions, and 80 percent of the rest of the older population have no limitations in managing the rigours of daily living. 
• Old age is no longer a custodial care proposition. “Grandma does not ‘live in’ anymore. She is far more likely to live alone, in her own home or apartment, drive a car into her eighties, and volunteer at the library.” 

“Old age is not when we stop growing. It is exactly the time to grow in new ways.