One of my elderly patients (she's 95 and her husband is 96) made a profound statement today: "You need to be strong to get old." Her joints are worn down. Skin doesn't heal as quickly. Infections are bigger setbacks. Energy level is low.
So all-in-all I think this statement captured something important about the elderly: you need to be strong to get old.
You don't see too many old people in Haiti. Almost half (!) of the population is less than 14 years old. Only 3.5% make it beyond 65 (see CI World Factbook).
In Haiti as in the US, you need to be strong to be old.
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