Those Insignificant Aging Stats

Vicki asked me what percentage of the US population was over 65 years old. "About 30%," she suggested.

"No" I replied, "You think it's that high because almost all our friends are over 65. I believe it's around 17 or 18%."

I looked it up: 15% of the US population are over 65. When one goes to the internet for one fact a fearsome thing happens. You find more facts. There are less worm holes in the universe than those on the internet.

Remembering that statistics are like a bikini---what they reveal is exciting, what they hide is crucial---here are some of the United States aging stats I discovered down those internet worm holes:

• 46 Million people are over 65 (15% of population)
• In 2060 46 Million people will be over 65, thankfully I won't be one of them
• Men live to age 76, women to age 81
• There 5.1 Million citizens 85-94 years old
• 54,000 are centurions, 80% of which are women (Hang in there men and you will have four women pounding on your nursing room door every night.)
• By 2033 there will be more 65-year olds than those younger than 18 
• 23% of men and 15% of women are still working after age 65 (I'm still working at 72 because I enjoy what I do, besides work keeps me off the golf course and provides an excuse for avoiding bridge, dominoes, Mexican Train and two-hour-complain-about-the government-the-laziness-of-the-younger-generation-heath-problems coffee
• Medium household income for seniors = $36,000 versus $52,000 for those under 65
• Medium net worth for seniors = $175,000 versus $300,000 for those under 65
• 80% of seniors own their home (That seems awfully high to me)
• Poverty rate (0-$29,000 annually) = 10% for seniors, almost 20% for those younger
• 71% own a computer
• 72% vote
• 1 in 9 have Alzheimer's (5.1 Million)
• 40% are obese
• Leading causes of death:
• Heart disease = 35%
• Cancer = 22%
• Stroke
• Respiratory disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Pneumonia
• Influenza
• Alzheimer's
• Kidney disease

These stats become insignificant when we consider life's futility without God. How swiftly and unexpectedly sickness appears, how easily death comes. The silver cord will be severed, the golden bowl broken, the pitcher shattered, the wheel broken, the body returned to dust but our spirit will live with God forever. Therefore we can enjoy life's gifts and serve others with goodness and joy in our hearts.

I know there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil---this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13