Active Nonagenarian refers to a man or woman who not only is still alive in the rearefied air of the tenth decade of life but is a happy, healthy, growing human being. The number of such people is increasing rapidly. Although many if not most of the people who live to age ninety to not qualify for the appelation 'active nonagenarian,' the existence of thousands of them, particularly in developed countries such as the United States, Japan, and Sweden, offers reassurnce that living a healthy life to ninety and beyond is neither an impossible dream nor something to be dreaded. With medical advances and better lifestyle choices it can be predicted with confidence that this longevity miracle will continue to transform human experience. However, this demographic development brings with it challenges for families and society.

cf. "Alive & Well: The Emergence of the Active Nonagenarian," by William F. Powers, Rutledge Books, 1996.