By Setarreh Massihzadegan
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

As it turns out, like cheese and wine, happiness gets better with age. A recent study found that for Americans, old age and happiness go hand in hand.

Using data from a survey of more than 28,000 participants from 1972 to 2004, sociologist Yang Yang of the University of Chicago set out to determine  whether Americans are in fact “living better as well as longer lives.”

According to Yang’s results, published in the American Sociological Review, “the odds of being happy increase 5% with every 10 years of age.” Participants were adults over the age of 18, but those 65 and older were the happiest group, says Tom Smith, director of the General Social Survey, responsible for the data used.

Yan g’s study took intoaccount happiness as related to sex, race, and  education, all of which have a bearing on happiness, but do not detract from an overall increase in happiness with age. Despite slight changes based on time periods, across all years, the happiest people were the oldest.

Relief in retirement
Those living at Linden Ponds add clout to Yang’s results.

Frances Greene, who moved to the community a little more than a year ago, says her family has noticed a change in her. When she saw them recently after some time, they told her, “We’re thrilled—you’re looking great,” she recalls. Greene keeps active as part of the environmentally conscious Plastic Bag Knit ‘n Crocheters and as a regular at the fitness center.

Greene, a retired nurse, says her move has been positive for her and her family. “I’m relieved of my anxieties and my children are happy,” she says.

Jean and William Landmann, who also moved to Linden Ponds about a year ago, say about living there, “It’s a relief.”

“After retirement, the time had come to wrap things up and move,” says Jean Landmann, who spends time in the community’s memoir writing class and fitness center, while her husband partakes in the Knot Challengers group and the Veterans’ Association.