Old age has always had a mixed reception at the hands of writers, thinkers and sociologists. Some consider it a time of fulfillment when you can bask in the glory of your past achievements/or those of your children and grandchildren. Others consider it a curse because of increasing ailments and sometimes loss of spouse.

Although receding and greying hair, loss of vision and diminished hearing is the harbinger of an aging body, creaking joints and indigestion are the real bane. But there is hope. Lens implants, sophisticated hearing aids, joint replacement and coronary bypass surgery has given new hopes to the greying population. Even loss of libido and sexual performances can be helped by advances in Andrology. So when does a man get old?

The vedas tell us that the human machine is built for 100 years, that is if you live by yogic principles. Be spartan in food habits and practice meditation for destressing. The Bible considers the human life span to be 70 (three scores and ten). It is a comforting thought that people who are more than 70 are living on bonus years. So are there any advantages of growing old?

One thing is that you have the wisdom of years and those people who want to take advantage of your experience can do so. You are respected by family members and even the State confers several benefits to senior citizens.

Physiologically, the upside of geriatrics is the increase in collateral circulation. Sudden deaths are rare and cancers in the very old are not very aggressive. The lax skin is ideal for the surgeon because it scars so little. Even infection transmitted by blood transfusion like Hepatitis C may not affect you because the incubation period may outlive you. Groucho Marx once said the problem with oldage is that everything pains; what does not pain does not function.

For those who have no problems with sexuality can take full advantage of it including perhaps at the risk of acquiring HIV infection because AIDS might develop after 8 to 10 years and may outlive you!! Old age is best spent in the company of grand children. Nothing like playing with them, telling them stories and joining them in discovering this world. As a wag has said that if you want to have a long successful old age you must be up and about, eat vegetarian food, have a small drink of brandy or wine as an apertif and have a roving eye. More than hobby clubs and sports like bowling and golf, the roving eye keeps you going.

*Ex-Hon. Paediatric Surgeon, Bai Jerbai Wadia Paediatric Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400 012. **Ex. Hon. Physician, Jaslok Hospital and Bombay Hospital, Mumbai. **Ex. Hon. Prof. of Medicine, Grant Medical College and JJ Hospital, Mumbai 400 008.