Life Span vs. Life Expectancy

4 Generations: Photo by Jun's World. 

It's impossible to know precisely how long you will live.  Nevertheless, many seek information on life expectancy so that they can manage their resources.

122 = The maximum human life span.

85 = The average life expectancy for women in the US who reach age 65.

82 = The average life expectancy for men in the US who reach age 65.

77 = The average life expectancy for those in the US measured from birth.

First, it's important to know the difference between life span and life expectancy.

Life span is the maximum number of years that a species can live.  It's the upper limit. For humans, this is 122 years. Jean Calment holds the record for the oldest documented living person at 122 years and 164 days.

Life expectancy is the statistically expected number of years projected for a person's length of life.

Pomp and Circumstance

Dr. Nicole Rogers and Karen D. Austin
Photo by Michael S. Austin.

Since August 2010, I've been pursuing a graduate degree in Aging Studies.  The discipline is also sometimes called gerontology.

This month I'm completing my schooling with a little pride, pomp and circumstance.

Shakespeare provides that phrase:

Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,
The spirit-stirring drum, th'ear-piercing fife,
The royal banner, and all quality,
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!

(Othello, Act III, scene iii)

I highly recommend the program, directed by Dr. Nicole Rogers (pictured at the right). I chose the social science track, which allowed me to study the contribution of sociologists, psychologists and economists.

When allowed to choose the topic for my research projects, I chose to study cognition: age-related cognitive changes, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.

Mother's Day Reflections: Literacy Lessons

Mom and Me - June 1965.

The book of Genesis claims that Adam named the animals prior to Eve's appearance in the Garden of Eden. I have a hard time accepting that part of the creation story.  In my own life, and in the lives of many others, it's Mother who names the world.

Photo by trec_lit

She just didn't teach me to identify the basics: cup, water, shoe, banana.  Over the years, she taught me to name and label things I couldn't hold in my hand: love, pain, divinity, irony.

My mother has a keen mind, and she's a lifelong student. Even when she quit her job teaching home economics to raise me and my two sisters, she still read voraciously, wrote in her journal, talked to like-minded friends and in all ways scrutinized the world around her.

At midlife, she returned to school and got a master's degree in a completely unrelated field, humanities.  I ended up doing the same: first studying English and then at midlife getting a master's in the unrelated field, aging studies.

Solar Shield®: Practical and Stylish Eyewear

I received a free pair of Dioptics Solar Shield sunglasses
via Vibrant Nation's Vibrant Influencer Network.

Spring has finally arrived.

The storm clouds have abated, and the brilliant sun is back in full force.

Thankfully, I have a new pair of Dioptics Solar Shield® sunglasses. 

They reduce glare and help protect my eyes from harmful UV rays.

Before I got these sunglasses, I was switching between my newer bifocals and my old prescription sunglasses. Not good.

Or I just went without sunglasses and squinted. But the harsh Kansas sun was getting the better of me.

Register with API for Info on Alz

Photo by Ian Sane. 

A sponsored post on behalf of Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative (API). 

Researchers are working hard to understand the risks and causes of Alzheimer's. Some are working on medications to slow down symptoms.

Long before clinical signs are apparent, the brain develops plaques and tangles. Some of the cutting-edge research focuses on how these plaques and tangles are formed, how they might be removed--or better yet--how they can be prevented from forming.

You can be part of an online community that shares current information about general brain health, Alzheimer's prevention, and future clinical trials.

To loan support to the prevention of Alzheimer's, please register  with API to receive information about current research such as the clinical trials conducted by the Banner Alzheimer's Institute (BAI).