You know it is true. Let’s MAD.
All of us at one point begin to feel the effects of aging. We are headed for a huge group. Currently, the fastest growing age group is:
85 years old and older
Can we see a show of hands for the Baby Boomers?
Every 7.5 seconds
A Baby Boomer turns 60 years old.
1 in 5
By 2030, there will be over 72 million people 65 or older: 20% of the population.
23%
Nearly a quarter of people 75 years old and older live in nursing homes (full care, live-in facilities).
Support
Some of the societal phenomena which have changed the aging landscape are: divorce, mobility and fewer children. With the rise of divorce and the change in family dynamics, especially the two-income household, there are fewer children born than in earlier generations. Some of the elderly have already buried their children.
With commuting and job relocations, more children are moving further away from their aging parents. Even siblings are living further from one another. This translates to a lack of immediate familial support for the aging population.
Make A Difference
You can make a difference in the life of an elderly person today, tomorrow, everyday.
1. Be kind.
When you see an elderly person today, do something.
- Smile. Wave. Say, “Good morning!” or “Hello!”
- Open a door.
- Yield the right of way.
- Stand up and offer your seat.
- Help carry something.
- Find something in a store.
2. Volunteer.
Call a care facility in your area. Choose a nursing home, assisted care facility, independent living center or a long term care facility. When they answer “yes” (They will always need volunteers.), make a date.
3. Bring reinforcements.
Ask if the facility allows children and pets. Older people are overjoyed to see children. Children are drawn to grandparental units. Consider letting your child adopt a grandparent. Step back and enjoy the conversation which springs up between them.
Have you thought about bringing your grandchild? Grandparents are no longer relegated to the senior generations. Many people are grandparents in their late thirties and early forties. Take your grandchild to meet more grandparents.
Pets brighten our lives. Most facilities do not allow live-in pets because the residents cannot provide the care necessary for the animals. Many centers allow visiting pets who have shot records. The majority of residents miss having the companionship of a pet who can nuzzle, purr or fetch.
4. Enlist.
Make it a outing for the whole family. Get together your colleagues or teammates for the field trip. Throw together a live (comedy, musical, poetic reading) performance between you and your friends.
5. Bring goodies.
Most centers deny requests to bring in food because of diet restrictions for health reasons. What are not restricted?
- Flowers
- Books
- Blankets and clothing
- Music
- Cards (greeting and playing)
- Games
6. Find a hobby.
Facilities need volunteers to help replace the deadening television times for residents. They may ask you to play board games, cards or bingo; do craft projects; read; sing; play musical instruments; teach classes; or exercise. They may ask you to come and just be friendly and kind.
7. Ask questions.
Seniors are living longer than ever before. They are more full of life than in generations past. (Ever hear 60 is the new 40?) They have more disposable income. They have had more education than some of the generations following them. These are the people who were the generation which brought about some of the modern conveniences you take for granted into being.
Ask them about their lives. What was it like growing up in your hometown? Where have you lived? What was your favorite job? Do you still have the same hobbies? What change did you never imagine seeing in your lifetime?
Keep your mouth closed and exercise both ears.
8. Laugh.
Have a good time. Many elderly people have very little socialization. They only have the aides in their centers and a choice few other residents with whom to socialize. Brighten the day of someone who has given to the society so you could have the things you do now. Learn something. Be kind. Enjoy yourself. Your new friend will, too.
MAD
You MAD.
In another 25 years, there will be 18 million more seniors than there are today. You may be one of them. Consider what you would feel if you were in the shoes of a senior in a long term care facility today. Go and be the kind of person you would want to visit you.
Teach your children and grandchildren the valuable assets the eldest generations offer to them.
~~~~~~~~~~
Can you Make A Difference in the life of an elderly person? Would you consider interviewing an elderly person and writing about them? When was the last time you sat down with someone at least 25 years older than you? Are you already part of the senior generation?
totsymae1011
/ August 2, 2012What an inspirational and educational post. You’re so right in the things we could offer. It really takes so very little and means the world.
totsymae1011 recently posted..Down With the Folks
Red
/ August 2, 2012So very lovely to see you today, Tots <3 I hope you are staying as cool as possible. I am never disappointed when I visit with elderly people. They have so much to share and are genuinely grateful for your interest. It is something I teach my children when they are very young.
BuddhaKat
/ August 2, 2012ummmm… sounds kinda scary … the older I get, the older one must be to be an “elderly person”… truth be told, all the things you mention and many more can/will help us from feeling like elderly citizens, which has a kind of finality to it. That’s it. All that’s left is to die.
That’s NOT what I want to hear, and I’m pretty sure neither do many others. Remember to feed your passion and your bliss, so you don’t have to to rely on some “young spunker” to keep you interested and engaged!!!
Especially if there are restrictions (physical, health, financial, etc), remember to help yourself – and one way to do that is to help others. Or to be there for them!!! It is NEVER to late to serve others!!!
thanks for bringing up a vast and growing topic, Red!!
peace and hugs…
🙂
BuddhaKat recently posted..Need a little DRAMA in your life…?
Red
/ August 2, 2012I can remember in the not so distant past when 55 was senior. With the retirement age up to 67 and headed for 72 really quickly, I can see the time coming when octogenarians will be the new 40s. Here the over 80 crowd is tax free for everything. I think it is the least we can do for those who have driven the economy for longer than everyone else has been alive. Staying engaged is important to staying young. Period. Thank you for sharing on this one, Kat. <3 {HUGZ} xxx
Bearman
/ August 2, 2012Brings back memories of when my mom used to be an Occupational Therapist in a nursing home and I would go to work with her and spend my day doing arts and crafts.
Somehow I remember one guy in a wheelchair with only one leg and I looked up his pant leg to see where his missing leg went.
Bearman recently posted..US Media – The Olympic Dopes
Red
/ August 2, 2012See, that is a great memory. I know far too many parents who think their children will get nightmares from being around elderly people. I always ask if they are going to stay away from them when they get older. o.O
El Guapo
/ August 2, 2012Old people are great, the company of slightly crazy ones is my favorite.
They tell the best stories!
El Guapo recently posted..A Literary Limerick – The Harry Potter Saga
Red
/ August 2, 2012That is completely the truth!
Cat Forsley
/ August 2, 2012ALL I GOTTA SAY
well not all
but IN BOLD TEXT 🙂 XO
CONGRATS AND KUDOS KUDOS
ON YOUR BOOK !!!!!!!! WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO 🙂
AND THE BANNER ABOVE – GORGEOUSNESS ………..
i am so happy for you …….
Truly madly deeply xoxoxoxox
Cat
and a little partay music for you xx
WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO
and can’t wait for the book trailer xx
keep me in the loop ok xx
always here 2 help out xo
Cat Forsley recently posted..Beautiful time in Ottawa – totally Happy Cat ….
Red
/ August 2, 2012Thank you, mon chat doux! I am so excited. I will be around later to go shopping 🙂 {HUGZ} and <3 xxx
Cat Forsley
/ August 2, 2012I know You are !!!!!!!!!! I can feel it in my heart how excited You are …….. Geesh – it’s like a wonderful boomerang 🙂 ENERGY !!!!!!!!
ZING POW !!!!! XOXOXOXOXO
Signing out for the night ……..
but seriously let me know – if anything i can help out with xo
big Full moon last night ……… she was gorgeous …….
made tons of beautiful wishes for all my artist heart friends= YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chat soon xoxoxoxo
Cxx
Cat Forsley recently posted..Beautiful time in Ottawa – totally Happy Cat ….
Androgoth
/ August 2, 2012What a brilliant posting Red and as with all of your posts you have added some excellent information too.
You know I always try to be kind towards the elderly, indeed it is something that we should automatically offer whether it is someone that we know or not, and just out of respect for one reason…
Great post 🙂
Androgoth XXx
Red
/ August 2, 2012Respect seems to be dwindling from the societal landscape. I hope there are more like me who will instill it in a younger generation. I hope you have a pleasant night and a great weekend, in case you get busy 😉
Alexandra Heep
/ August 2, 2012This is a very poignant post. I was raised to respect elders etc, but as I find myself aging towards being an elder myself, some of the stuff I observe is frightening.
Alexandra Heep recently posted..Quiz: What element are you?
Red
/ August 2, 2012Agreed. This one is important to me, not only because I know I will never be there but also because I know my children will. I am hoping to instill the respect necessary to have them raising a more respectful generation than the ones into which they were born.
Binky
/ August 2, 2012Some very good food for thought. Out of sight, out of mind, it often seems for our elderly these days. I don’t know what the future will be like when there will be significantly more elderly, and everyone is increasingly busy with their lives.
Binky recently posted..Checkers Checkmate
Red
/ August 2, 2012The outcropping of facilities is frightening. It is a multibillion dollar industry which is one of the largest growing worldwide. The most frightening part is the lack of training for the majority of workers and the blase attitude of the adult children who entrust their parents to such places. The ones with the most non-familial visitors are the best kept ones, as the outside eye is often enough to drive away temptations.
Gail Thornton
/ August 2, 2012I live in an elderly/disabled subsidized complex in a very nice town. I consider myself elderly, though I started out here because of my disability. My best friends are elderly! I have never had as many loving, trustworthy, and exciting friends as I do here, and I’m not turning back. Gladly going forward. I found my true love here, and love never ages. While we are all poor, we are the most rich people I have ever known, with laughter, with memories, and with support for each other. Loneliness is not age-specific, and I found my life here among my friends.
Gail Thornton recently posted..Poem – The Promise of a Letter
Red
/ August 3, 2012Loneliness happens in a crowd. I have friends in most all generations capable of building friendships. There is so much to learn from those older than I. And occasionally, I have something to teach them. I do, however, await their request rather than volunteering on the assumption they do not know. Great to see you tonight, Gail. xxx
Laurie
/ August 2, 2012I’d like to take my dog out to visit, but he’s too hyper to take places, although as long as shorty isn’t home he’ll just lay down in the floor and be a good boy. The minute she gets home you’d think there was a race track in my living room.
My grandmother kept saying she wanted to go to a nursing home before she died, my mother refused to let her…..although she kept insisting she was in her right mind, so the choice should have been hers in that case. Granny spent time in the nursing home went she broke her hip, actually enjoyed it because unlike her house she had company on a daily basis. She loved to talk……
I’ve already told my oldest, I want a nice nursing home……to which she responded that she planned to be rich and buy me the nursing home I wanted to be put in……….I still have no idea if she was being nice or trying to make sure my screams go unheard…..
Red
/ August 3, 2012Shall I pass you a nickel to flip? *grins*