Eighties and beyond (aka ‘the golden age’): celebrating wisdom and wellness

“The afternoon knoweth what the morning never suspected.” These words by Maya Angelou are a fitting start to an article that looks at our 80s, 90s and beyond.

It is also a useful way for me to view a recurrent block that I experience. You see, I have tried to guide myself through a common visualisation a number of times and I can never get past a certain stage. The visualisation places me at my own 85th birthday party. I am surrounded by people I love and admire and, as the script goes, they are meant to be thanking me for things I have done. And this is the part I struggle with – what might those things be? I stall. Not because I do not think I am incapable of bringing happiness or value to the world, but because who knows how the forthcoming decades might unfold. What stories are still to be told? What stories are still to be written?

My morning (and midday!) are still waiting for my afternoon to unfold.

The golden age: shifting the focus to healthspan

As they unfold into this golden age of life, from one’s 80s onwards, I sense the conversation will be all about healthspan as opposed to lifespan. This is a time that is all about the quality and vibrancy of our golden years and, thankfully, there are many ways to enhance and improve this.

In our earlier years, a lot of the ways we speak about improving our health involve a high degree of effort. The results of, for example, regular weightlifting, make it completely worthwhile, but it is effort nonetheless. What’s fun about our golden years is that clinical research shows us some of the most powerful health interventions we can make are fun!

Joy as medicine

Example one: Dance. Continued research shows that rhythmic movement – specifically dance – is a powerhouse for neuroplasticity, which we touched on in the last article. Dance requires coordination, memory and social timing, which effectively lights up the brain’s cognitive centres and ensures sustained renewal and positive health outcomes.

Singing in a choir or a group also has measurable health benefits. It has been found to improve people’s heart rate, blood pressure and even boost immune function in ways that simply listening to the same music cannot. There are different explanations for this.

From a biological standpoint, it’s thought that singing activates the vagus nerve, which is directly connected to the vocal cords and muscles in the back of the throat. This is a nerve we’re hearing more and more about in terms of assisting emotional regulation. The prolonged and controlled exhalation involved in singing also releases endorphins associated with pleasure, wellbeing and the suppression of pain. And if that wasn’t enough to have you signing up for your local choir – or setting one up – singing in a group has been shown to dampen systemic inflammation.

The power of staying connected

Something that is less researched in the singing arena is the social connection it provides, but this is well researched elsewhere and given what we explored in earlier decades, it simply makes sense to try to build or maintain these connections throughout life. We know that women in their 80s and 90s are significantly more likely to live alone than men of the same age. This increases the risk of loneliness, which TILDA research links to poorer physical health outcomes.

Different cultures have different ways of countering this – across mainland Europe, one often sees groups of older individuals gathering in parks to play chess, bowling or simply have the chats. In Ireland, this is less common, but there are many ways to keep up levels of social connection, which are the ultimate anchor supporting our sense of identity and wellbeing.

Purpose, perspective and passing it on

If the thought of a choir group doesn’t rock your boat and if you’re more of a one-on-one person, mentoring younger generations is a great connector and, of course, mutually beneficial. One hopes you can hold space for the younger person and pass on some new perspectives (good for them), and as Jess Murphy, owner and head chef in Galway’s Kai restaurant, recently told IMAGE, “reverse mentorship” brings the energy of the younger generation to the older. Jess was speaking about the kitchen but it ripples beyond that. Imagine the impact that having a role model or mentor – whether for business or general life advice – might have had at younger stages of your life? Someone to ask a bothersome question, someone to bounce an idea off, someone to challenge your perspective in a supportive way.

That support is as golden as one’s older years. And it is a gift that requires only your presence and time. The added benefit is that it is a cognitive super-pill, as intergenerational engagement gives a sense of purpose that has been shown to lower the risk of cognitive decline and keep the mind bright and agile.

Building and maintaining your connection with your Boots pharmacist is also important in these decades. This does not have to be a formal arrangement. Indeed, there is no need for a formal appointment; you can simply pop in for a no-pressure, informed chat. Whether you’re curious about a new supplement or need advice on managing a minor ailment, they are your most accessible health allies and they are often just down the road.

Looking after the physical as well as the emotional

Another way of building connections is to think beyond the confines of human connection. Pets! Bringing any animal into someone’s life brings a warm presence that minimises loneliness. Focusing on dogs, they often go beyond this and provide a vital sense of purpose and a rhythmic structure to days that might otherwise feel untethered. This is especially the case for someone newly living alone. As loyal companions, dogs act as natural social catalysts, nudging their owners back into the world for fresh air and neighbourly chats, effectively dissolving the quiet ache of isolation.

If one doesn’t want the commitment for a full-time dog or cat, perhaps there is someone in your neighbourhood who would love a loving daytime home for their pooch while they are in the office. Or, on the flip side, there may be someone close by who would be delighted to bring your dog on weekly long walks to support their weekly rhythm with you. As someone who loves dogs, I see that wagging tail as a constant, joyful anchor to the present and proof that the human heart’s capacity for deep connection doesn’t have an expiration date.

Your health village

Building on what we have been exploring, in these decades, mindset is a primary driver of physical health. However, there are physical concerns, of course. A 2025 TILDA report highlights that many women in this age group have undiagnosed hypertension (36%) or high cholesterol (45%), suggesting that regular screenings remain vital even into your 90s. Your local Boots pharmacy offers screenings that are accessible and efficient, making it easy to keep on top of things.

Your pharmacist can advise on other matters, such as electrolyte supports or targeted high-potency vitamins like B12 and vitamin D3, to keep energy levels consistent when our thirst signals dim as we get older.

These are also the decades where we prioritise “functional movement.” It’s not about hitting a certain step count; it’s about having the strength and balance to play with great-grandchildren, tend to a garden, travel or play your sport of choice.

Of course, the afternoon and evening of life can sometimes bring a guest we never invited: cognitive change or dementia. For many, this is the great unspoken fear. Yet, if we look at the research on dance, social connection and purpose, we see they aren’t just lifestyle choices; they are the scaffolding that supports our brain. Dementia may alter the way a story is told, but it does not have to end the storytelling. By leaning into our health village across the decades and prioritising joy-led interventions, we aren’t just fighting decline; we are fiercely protecting the essence of who we are.

Speaking of essence, for some, this is intrinsically linked to their spirit of adventure, which is another thing that doesn’t have an expiration date. Though some travel logistics might change as we age, exploring new areas, travelling to visit family or taking a long-dreamed-of trip are still must-dos for many people. Thankfully, your “health village” at Boots can ensure you are prepared for the journey through vaccines and first aid kit supplies.

Legacy of presence

Perhaps the reason I stall at my 85th birthday party, wondering what people will thank me for, is that I am looking for “achievements” when I should be looking for “moments”. In our 80s and 90s, our greatest contribution is often our presence; the way we hold space for a friend, a grandchild or even a stranger, the way we light up during a choir rehearsal or the simple dignity with which we navigate the challenges of ageing.

Whether our minds remain as sharp as a winter morning or become as soft as a summer dusk, the value we bring to our loved ones is found in the connection we’ve nurtured throughout the decades. The morning of my life never suspected the richness – or the complexity – of the afternoon I am now living in my 40s.

As I look toward my golden years, I feel a sense of agency I didn’t feel in earlier years. Through the support of community pharmacists, the courage to stay socially curious and the grounding rhythms I practice in nature, I hope I can ensure that my later decades will not be a fading out, but a deepening. We may not know exactly how our scripts end, but we can ensure that every chapter is written with as much vitality, support and love as possible.

Boots pharmacy is the first stop for busy women seeking healthcare advice and solutions. Whether presenting with a nagging minor condition that won’t clear, seeking a seasonal solution, pre-travel preparation or vital health screening, Boots offers compassionate experts and easy-to-access services to meet the needs of women across every decade in their local Boots.