Jackson thinks the “golden years” should be named the “rust years”, and they come “attended by a retinue of unfriendly ailments” (p. 195). What do you think he means? Do you agree with him?
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Being in the so called ‘golden years’ I have to agree and I’m way older than Jackson. But you don’t need to rust…just keep moving and engaging.
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I am in my golden years. These years do come with a variety of unfortunate ailment. However they also bring wisdom and serenity.
We were talking about that just tonight at my run club - a group of active people, many of whom are 55-80. We mentioned that we were happy we were still moving, but remarked that so many of our conversations revolve around ailments, injuries, what doctors appointments we have coming up, and what pills we’re taking. Guess it’s inevitable, even if you try to stay active.
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Yes, I agree that I experience more physical problems or “ailments” as I age. I think the “rust years” is an interesting way of framing this!
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The term golden years was always a misnomer, perhaps coined to trick people into thinking life was going to get better at retirement age. There are many things to enjoy about being in these last decades of my life like having the time to paint, or read, or just be. But there are also things I have to do that are less “golden” like commiting to exercise simply to “hold my own”, or acknowleging that I’ve lost abilities that will not return. I know a number of people who are also “waiting for the other shoe to drop” as in the U.S. social security and medicare programs are changing, threatening our financial well-being. I am extremely lucky and can say my life is somewhere between gold and rust…maybe a solid bronze,
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I agree the other replies describe the term golden years well. I read somewhere 75 years is considered elderly. I will be that age in 5.5 months.
However, similar to other replies it depends on your mindset and actions. When I was in my 60’s 70 sounded old now 80 sounds old.
I feel blessed that I grew up in the 50’s because of today”s culture.
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The rusty years - I laughed out loud. This seems to be the topic of conversation with my friends and family. We are all fighting to stay oiled up and not get rusty 
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I agree; a little bit of oil (and some cortisone) can help us make it through the rust years and into the golden ones.
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So true, Laura S and Jamie K – laughing out loud and some cortisone. I’m nearly 84 and both of those are so important! I have to admit these last 20+ years since I retired have been more rust than expected, but I have a great family and wonderful friends who make some great golden moments.
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Since I can claim myself as an “expert” in this area at 77, I feel comfortable in replying. I recently read a facebook comment from one of my former students who quipped, “i wish that if something on my body doesn’t simply work anymore, it would just fall off.” She’s much younger than I, obviously, so I’m guessing I would be in serious bodily harm at this point in my life!! However, my brain is still working fairly well, and my body is limping along as needed. I think the golden part is still being able to read, comprehend, discriminate and the rusty part is lack of energy, slowness on the uptake, and occasional pain in the joints. The beauty of old age is having the time and desire to slow down to observe the miracles around me.
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I turned 60 this year and find this to be interesting. I do appreciate the fact that I am far less worried about having a career and wondering about my legacy now, and think far more about pouring into others and enjoying relationships.
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While parts and pieces of our body and mind can deteriorate, I think rust is just too negative. Growing older, for me, has required adjustments but certainly not rusting . These years are an ongoing adventure!
I kinda like “rust.” It doesn’t mean things don’t work, they’re just a little slow to respond these days, and sometimes a bit creaky - very much like my knees, LOL.
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Mid 60’s and feeling rusty after a weekend of camping. I am getting slightly better at lifting myself off the ground in the morning though. 
Rusty is a great way to describe growing older.. The body wears out…creaks and groans are part of everyday life… The only way life in the later stages can be considered “golden” for most of us, is in the richness of memories and relationships. As I near retirement, I’m wondering if poverty will be part of my golden years…
I am not quite in those years, yet. But I’ve been experiencing “rust” for some time, and I certainly agree with Jackson on this. There are many ailments that frequently occur only as this time arrives.
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For those of us with a litany of annoying minor physical ailments, this is spot on.
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I agree! Many times I don’t recognize the face I see in the mirror, and spend some time reviewing the new wrinkles and spots that weren’ there yesterday. I am struck by how many little ailments add up to a sense of tentativeness as I approach the world. Rusty, indeed!
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We refer to that type of conversation as an “organ recital,” 
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Haha, @Nancy_B, that’s hysterical!