When blue turns gray: postwarranty performance.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to review the lifestyle and expectations of a group of 86- to 87-year-old Yale College graduates at the time of their 65th reunion and to compare the results with equivalent data from the general public.


METHODS
A five-page questionnaire was sent to the 263 living survivors of the Yale College class of 1939 at the time of their 65th reunion.


RESULTS
One hundred fifty-one replies were received, some only partially completed. Median survival was 79 years. Among the more interesting results was a wide discrepancy (optimism) between the perceived quality of life and that which one would anticipate from the many physical disabilities of the study group.


CONCLUSIONS
This is by nature a self-selected group of male octogenarians, but their lifestyle and medical disabilities fit with the general population; their attitude toward being elderly is remarkably positive, and their personal and civic performance continues beyond expectations.
Eiseman
Ben
B
University of Colorado Hospital, Denver, CO 80262, USA. Ben.Eiseman@UCHSC.edu
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000846:Anniversaries and Special Events; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014495:Universities