On January 8, 2002, people worldwide celebrated Elvis' 67th birthday.  Let's pretend a bit. What if Elvis were alive? On his birthday, the headlines might have read something like this: "At 67 the King decides to file for Social Security." How would that news -- Elvis actually choosing full SS payments -- have been received by an American public so enthralled with youth? Probably with some disbelief and with some degree of soul searching among those a little younger, but a part of his generation -- maybe people like this 59-year-old writer. He would be welcomed by nearly 40,000,000 Americans receiving SS checks, and he would become part of the fastest growing group of Americans -- those who're turning 50 at the rate of 10,000 per day headed for membership in the AARP and beyond. What does it feel like to know that one has entered his or her 7th decade of life, with only maybe 1 to 3 more to go? How would Elvis have responded? Hopefully like those other old rock and rollers - the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger and the others are well into their 50's, Jerry Lee Lewis is over 60, so is Little Richard and all the others. But hey, they're still performing. So would Elvis.

Until his death in his 80's, Frank Sinatra could still croon with the best of them, Lena Horne still can. That's what is important: that they still perform and entertain, not only for longtime fans, but for new ones as well. Tony Bennett, now well into his 70's, is selling more albums than ever before, especially to a whole new generation of younger people who recognize a unique talent.

One wonders what Elvis would be like at 70, 80, or even at 100 like George Burns was. If he did not have the burden of a major disease or diseases, I think he would have aged graciously. I think he might even have championed the causes of geriatrics: The Elvis Aaron Presley Professorship at perhaps a Hartford Foundation Center on Excellence in Geriatrics held by an eminent geriatrician and a superb interdisciplinary team to care for the older men and women like his parents whom he loved so dearly and to teach the next generation of health care professionals those unique things about older people not presently taught sufficiently well by enough of our nation's health science centers.

Just as when today's generation of older people hear the music of Benny Goodman's "Big Band" sound, they fondly recollect the good times of their youth, so will tomorrow's older generations - mine included - when they hear Elvis' songs. So Elvis, if you are out there somewhere and in the year 2035 (when 1 of every 5 Americans will be >65) you make it to 100, I'll be 93, and if we're in the same home, I'll try not to step on your blue suede shoes. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said." "Thank you, thank you very much!" (RER)

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VA Collaboration

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John P. Woods, Ph.D.

John Glenn

Frank Sinatra

George Bush

Ronald Reagan

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Sarah Delaney

Elvis Presley

Lindsay Lee

"My Nightmare"