A research study at the Harvard School of Public Health contends that there is no such concept as "normal" aging, but instead considerable differences in the way people age "from physical abilities to how energetic and engaged in life they are"(Amersbach 2000). These variations, together with the fact that there are more aging people in the world today than ever before, makes the study of healthy aging important. The person I conducted my interview with is an excellent example of healthy aging.
Lore is an 84 year old single female who moved into a retirement home for active seniors six months ago, having lived alone most of her life except for the early period when she lived with her primary family consisting of a mother, father, and two older brothers. Never married, she was born in Germany where her father was a big World War I hero (winner of the Iron Cross) and a wealthy businessman. She was very close to her family, and especially influenced by her strict, conservative father. When Lore was 19 the family fled to the United States to escape the Nazi regime (her Jewish father had converted to Christianity but that made no difference in Germany). Because of her father's status, the family was allowed to take all their possessions and money and travel first class. First class has been the way Lore has traveled and lived her whole life, although in the past five years, she has had to skimp on luxuries when she had to give up her part time job working in a French book store. Lore continued private school in the United States and holds a Maser's Degree from Princeton University, and was a Modern Language professor at Wellesley and a French professor at Vassar. She most enjoys being with people of the same educational background and with people who have accomplished a great deal in the arts.
Lore told me that she has maintained friendships all over the world from her teenaged years on, and has traveled a great deal. In fact, ...