9 Lives | Chapter 9 | Part 1: From 80 Onwards
Welcome to Stage 9: From 80 Onwards
Well, here we are, in the last stage of life. The ninth life of a woman is a reclamation. A return to something elemental. She is no longer proving or striving. She is simply being.
It has to be said, many of us will never get here. For much of history, mortality was more widely distributed across the lifespan, but today, because of advances in healthcare and living standards, most people in the west survive into older ages, and the majority of deaths are clustered in a narrower band— the late 70s to early 90s for women.
This creates a survival curve that remains high through midlife and then drops more sharply in later years. There is rising number of women reaching their 90s and beyond, and those who do make it to advanced ages (90s and 100+) have some predictable things in common, such as robust social networks, relatively good mobility (or careful adaptation to limited mobility), continued cognitive engagement, and an ability to adapt to life changes (e.g., diet, environment).
Extreme longevity in women (100+) has been linked to certain genetic factors as well, such as genes related to cholesterol regulation and inflammatory responses, but lifestyle is equally significant in survival to these ages. So if you want to live long enough to see your great-great grandchildren and tell them stories of the Summer of Love, there’s some good guidance for you. Stay connected to people. Stay moving. Keep learning. Cultivate resilience. I love the saying that it’s never too late for anything: you live until you die.
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