Image courtesy of http://publicdomainarchive.com/old-books-wood-shelf-birds-nest-warm-tones/ Believe decline and disease are inevitable? Your fears could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.(1) Believe age is just a number? Want to add years to your life? Be social. (2) Our lifestyles consist of the choices we make. No one suddenly decides, “I want to be miserable the rest of my life.” We have a choice. Even when life deals us lemons. One person chooses healthy habits, engages in activities with friends. The other neglects healthy habits, avoids relationships. One has a support system. The other deals with problems alone. For every effect, there is a corresponding cause. Want to avoid bad consequences? Choose your actions, and your thoughts, carefully! Brains are flexible. We form habits---both good and bad---easily. With each new habit, you write a new chapter in your life. What will the next chapter of your life look like? Words. Create. Ideas. © Davis 2016 References: (1) Applewhite, Ashton. (2017) Let’s end ageism. TED. Ideas Worth Spreading. (2) Pinker, Susan. (2017) The secret to living longer may be your social life. TED. Ideas Worth Spreading.
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Image © Microsoft Corporation 2008 An individual’s worth has been devalued. "Social death' runs rampant. When the downward spiral started is open to debate. Children used to be taught to respect elders. They were (and still are) a source of wisdom.
My grandmothers’ generation lived through World War II. They were fearless. Resilient. Setbacks did not phase them. I lived in a three-generation household, where my grandmother had raised three children alone, after my grandfather died. She never complained about her hardships. I often saw her kneel beside her bed. Memories of her praying remain strong. Faith. Hope. God’s Word. They guided her. Like a lighthouse. All around us are people without direction. Without hope. Many are alone. Some will be victims of human trafficking. These ‘elder orphans’ are “…community-dwelling individuals who are socially and/or physically isolated, without an available known family member or designated surrogate or caregiver.”1 Tragically, many older adults are abused. They are subjects of ridicule. Victims of ageist attitudes. Only a culture change will solve a problem of this magnitude. When we were born, there was hope. 'Start well' is a good mantra. "End well' is another one. No one should say, “I am afraid to grow old.” We need age-friendly communities, where resources and opportunities are provided for all ages. And a person's worth is recognized, regardless of age. People together can accomplish what no one of them can accomplish alone. I recently read about a woman, age 103, who has done volunteer work for three decades. She greets people at a hospital information desk, uses a computer and an iPad. I met another woman who started an encore career at the age of 70. Today, at 90, she continues in the same job. If you know people aging well, like these women, tell me about them!. Words. Create. Ideas. © Davis 2016 References:
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