“GO OUT ON A LIMB. THAT’S WHERE THE FRUIT IS.” —JIMMY CARTER
REACH FOR LIFE AND REAP REWARDS FOR
BEING BRAVE BY DORI GILLAM
Older adults are generally perceived as becoming more risk adverse as we age. A host of studies confirm that risk aversion can be due to many factors, from lower dopamine levels in aging brains, to just plain good old fashioned accumulated wisdom. Yet, challenging our comfort zones, even incrementally, can expand and enrich our lives. To understand more about how older adults perceive risk, I asked 15 friends—in their 60s and 70s— what actions or activities felt risky to them, where their risk gauge was set, and how risk avoidant they feel they are. Here’s what I learned: Most of my friends agree the perception of risk—in any endeavor—is in the eye of the risk-taker. That’s
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3rd Act magazine | fall 2022
why it’s not helpful to go “risk-comparison shopping” by comparing yourself to others. Bike riding might feel risky for one person and an enjoyable pursuit for another. Caring for grandchildren may be a joy for some or feel risky to someone with painful arthritis who fears not being able to keep up with the kids. Clearly, growing your risk muscles doesn’t mean doing something death-defying— it can simply be just stretching a bit or trying something new. There are many areas where we often perceive risk— the four most mentioned were financial, health, physical/ recreational, and social/emotional. When it comes to financial risks, the response is universal. My friends aren’t interested in taking financial risks, at least intentionally. The general agreement being that as we age, there just isn’t enough time to recover from a financial misstep. I’m sorry to say there are many older adults who do take known health risks. Overindulgence in alcohol, food, and being sedentary are a few nemeses that can cause
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