I get right in their face. I am 91. Of course every single time I get "Oh, you don't look like 91." So back I come with "Well, how do you think 91 is supposed to look like." If they feel uncomfortable, so be it. I definitely realize how fortunate I am to be in such a good place at my age. I am able to live in my own home and take care of myself. I am also able to drive wherever and whenever I need to do so. But I also realize that the end is near. How much longer can I go on? We don't know. I just finished reading an article entitled "Superager Brains Defy Cognitive Decline. We Finally Know Their Secret."
What was my so-called secret? I was active. I became a race walker and did several miles each day after work, even though I worked full-time and took care of my family. I loved race walking and it was important to me. I never smoked and drank very little. In addition I didn't eat very much in the way of sweets. I have never liked the sweet taste. Did this help me to be the way I am at my age? In addition, I beat scarlet fever at a time (I was 10 years old) when there were no drugs. They put me in isolation and waited for me to die. So I didn't. I guess I am too stubborn. In the article it said that 5% of the population are like me. I had that same percentage told to me after I recovered from an anaphylactic reaction to taking lisinopril. I had to be in ICU for 3 days. After the allergist told me that 5% of the population reacts this way. Coincidence?