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I'm one of them. At age 81, maybe some younger people believe I should be sitting in the hallway of a nursing home drooling on my backless hospital gown and soiling my adult-sized diapers. However, thanks to good genes, daily exercise, heavy reading, no smoking and just plain damn good luck, I still consider myself part of society.

I tried smoking at age 15 to look cool. After an entire pack, I looked and felt like a cool fish, and never smoked again. At age 18 and just out of Navy boot camp, I drank myself into unconsciousness and tossed my cookies for two days afterward. I can't claim to be a total teetotaler, but have only had an occasional glass of wine since. I survived active Navy duty in two wars, and that's where the damn good luck kicked in.

Of course, when I was young I considered anyone over 50 as old, and those over 60 as doddering. Age 81? No one lived that long. I can't blame young people today for thinking the same, so rather than rage against the tide, I go along with it. I see all the latest movies ... like some, tolerate others and hate the rest. The same goes for modern music, except I hate just about all of it. Fortunately, with all the electronic doodads available today, I can enjoy my kind of music undisturbed at home, in my car or anywhere else I choose.

After my retirement, I volunteered daily for ten years at a community center. I kept young by helping with the old folks activities, and worked with youth groups and their athletics, too. To my surprise, I enjoyed the kids more. I guess it was because my own kids had just finished their education and were out on their own. I missed them terribly, but working with other kids softened the blow a bit.

As a high school student, I was a member of the state championship swim team, and placed second in the city in several individual events. The guy who beat me ... I was 16 and he was 18 ... was so good he was offered a movie role as the new Tarzan. Unfortunately, he flunked the screen test. No one asked me to try for the part. I still swim laps just about every day in an Olympic-sized pool. Living in Arizona gets me into the pool at least 350 plus days a year.

The secret, if there is any, for the elderly to participate in today's society is to keep mentally and physically active for as long as possible. And, maybe more important, work at something challenging every day. Volunteer at a health facility, social agency or a school. Play golf, swim or do aerobics; pursue any sport you can still enjoy. If you're wheelchair bound, get out of the house as often as possible and enjoy as much activity as you can while mixing with people, both young and old. Many of my wheelchair driving friends volunteer at military hospitals.

If any whippersnapper criticizes you or makes fun of your efforts to stay active, just tell him/her you survived your youth and are enjoying your senior years. It isn't quite as satisfying as, "Go to hell," but you must remember that we elderly are expected to be dignified at all times.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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