Aging as 'YOLD'
When we were children, we viewed elderly relatives in their 60s and 70s as extremely old. This was true, as the life expectancy of people 50-60 years ago was significantly lower than today. However, now we see ourselves and other seniors in their 60s and 70s moving about with agility, having modern thoughts, and still working. This phenomenon is not limited to our country but is occurring almost worldwide.
In Japan, a country with a large elderly population, there is a phenomenon where people aged 65-75 remain as active as young people. Thus, the term Young Old, abbreviated as YOLD, was coined, referring to older individuals who still feel young.
Today, YOLD is widely recognized globally and is appreciated by many seniors who enjoy seeing the word 'young' associated with their group. However, this term does not encompass those aged 65-75 who are not active.
If we take the words 'young' and 'old' and create a 2x2 matrix, we find four terms: Young Young / Young Old / Old Young and Old Old. We can disregard Young Young and Old Old as they are less interesting (young people are just young, and old people are just old). The interesting aspects are Young Old and Old Young.
Young Old or YOLD has been discussed, while Old Young (which I will refer to as OLYO) refers to young people who act like they are old, meaning they are inactive, have narrow-minded thoughts, and are self-centered without modern ideas. These OLYO individuals are unfortunate as they feel old while still young.
Now, returning to YOLD, who are aging but still possess a youthful spirit and body, meaning they refuse to retire (I emphasize that not everyone aged 65-75 is YOLD). In developed countries, in 2020, the number of YOLD reached 134 million, or 11% of the population, up from 99 million (8%) in 2000. This change represents the highest growth rate among all age groups.
Recent surveys show that Americans aged 60 and older collectively have after-tax income that accounts for 70% of the total after-tax income of the entire nation. Additionally, in 2018, 70% of those aged 50-65 used the internet, while 38% of those aged 65 and older were online. Among seniors using the internet, 94% used it for email, 77% for online shopping, 71% for health information, and 70% for reading news.
Thai urban dwellers in this age group likely exhibit similar behaviors to their American counterparts. These YOLD individuals are challenging societal expectations that they should be spending their time babysitting or tending to birds.
YOLD are part of the Baby Boomer generation, born after World War II during a period of exceptionally high birth rates. Now they have reached an age where societal expectations suggest they should slow down, but these individuals continue to thrive due to their good health. They are now a target market because YOLD often have high purchasing power, along with preferences and no financial burdens.
The proportion of YOLD aged 65-75 in developed countries is higher than in our country. However, the phenomenon of YOLD, which has only recently begun in our country over the past 10-15 years, is significant because YOLD contribute to the economy by generating income, creating jobs, paying taxes, and producing value for society for a longer period.
If the number of YOLD continues to rise in society, the following will occur:
(1) Society's attitude towards the elderly will change as they witness the roles of YOLD.
(2) The retirement age of 60 or 65 for public and private sectors may need to be adjusted to align with the capabilities of this age group.
(3) Naturally, government spending on healthcare for the elderly will increase, indicating a shift in policies that previously suggested that individuals over 60 should retire.
The term YOLD does not carry a sarcastic connotation of "being old and not knowing one's place"; rather, it implies a sense of "capability" among this age group. Therefore, those who consider themselves YOLD take pride in themselves, thankful that they did not neglect their bodies too much in their youth and did not engage in lifestyles that lead to various diseases, while also taking good care of their health.
YOLD owe their longevity to genes from their ancestors and to divine forces (there's no other explanation for this) that have allowed them to reach this age with strong bodies and resilient spirits.
Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives for two terms, is renowned for her capabilities and currently holds this position at the age of 80. When a reporter asked her when she would retire, she replied, "I am not on a timetable; I am on a mission."
"Old age is not so bad when you consider the alternative." (Maurice Chevalier, a famous French actor and singer; 1888-1972) "Aging is not so terrible when you think of the other option."
SOURCE: www.bangkokbiznews.com
