“Knowing how to grow old is the master word of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters of the great art of living,” says a wise man.
Better living standards and higher education have extended life beyond the proverbial ‘three twenty and ten’. Youth in its contempt for old age may call it “second childhood,” but this can be a wonderful new opportunity to grow, develop, set out on a journey of rediscovery.
The times they Are a changing. Science and technology have gifted health and longevity to the elderly. Better vision is ensured through intraocular lens replacement and laser surgery. Clogged arteries are treated with angioplasty and bypass surgery. Surgery and hip replacements encourage physical activity. Drugs and vitamins put that youthful spring in the footsteps of the elderly. Thus, the elderly have no excuse for being “feverish, selfish clouds of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not dedicate itself to making them happy.”
Age is a quality of the mind. Human beings can be young at 70, or old and stooped at 30. Age is not counted in years or gray hair. But a person ages when they do not feel the desire to live, nor interest or curiosity about the environment, nor desire for adventure.
Age is not something to be afraid of, nor is retirement considered the end of the world. Planning for this chapter of life should begin long before retirement. There must be a determination to make each day count. Retirement guarantees great freedom. One is no longer tyrannized by the clock or work constraints. There are no deadlines to meet and no peers to compete with. Leaving the rat race allows one to seek a deeper understanding of the meaning of life. However, this does not mean inactivity or idleness. Such a lifestyle would lead to boredom, loss of self-confidence, and pity.
Facing retirement constructively and managing time wisely requires a five-point formula.
HAVE CONFIDENCE. Taking care of our emotional health is just as important as taking care of our physical health. We need to hold on to our self worth and appreciate our own worth and importance. How we think, feel and behave defines our ability to enjoy life. A positive outlook will help to cope with loneliness, rejection, disappointments and will ensure a speedy recovery. It is important to make appropriate decisions about our lives and also to stay connected to family, friends, and the life around us. Many older people cannot develop the self-confidence to do this because they do not genuinely love themselves.
INTELLECTUAL ABILITY. According to Dr. Howard Chertkow, a Canadian expert on Aging, 80% of older people retain their intellectual capacity to the end, although some develop mild intellectual impairment and a small percentage have dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
There are three types of memory: episodic (for special events), semantic (for knowledge and facts), and implicit (for automatically performed skills and exercises).
The last two do not decrease with age. Even episodic memory is stable until your mid-60s. But a dip after age 70, like losing your keys or forgetting to do something important, is a normal phenomenon of aging.
Age-related memory loss may be due to decreased dopamine levels that disturb chemical reactions in the brain. There is also a genetic component. Those whose parents had good memories fare better.
However, multitasking can be difficult. It is better to tackle one job at a time.
The brain also needs exercise to function well. Reading newspapers, books, solving crossword puzzles or sudokos, participating in intellectually stimulating activities helps keep the brain active.
BE INTERESTING AND FLEXIBLE. Having a wide social network of friends of all ages is a definite plus. This can stimulate the exchange of ideas and friendly discussions on topics of general interest. It also favors good bonding with new friends.
Older people need to keep abreast of contemporary issues. Those who read extensively for their own pleasure are mentally more agile than those who are forced to. Bibliophilia opens up new worlds of literature, science, politics or history. Keeping the mind agile is exposing it to new stimuli. Psychologists believe that those who take an active interest in the world around them have found the recipe for a long life. These people also display a higher IQ than those mired in self-pity.
Seniors have vast general knowledge. They recall historical facts and details of people and incidents that can be shared with young people. They can be good mentors for young people who seem disoriented and confused in today’s social environment.
Mentoring grandchildren can be rewarding. One must be open to new ideas and trends and not stick to rigid points of view. Listening quietly and attentively will generate security and trust. They will be more inclined to seek advice on their personal problems. Helping them grow into confident young people is satisfying.
Women who have retired from work or whose children have grown up can work as Mentor Mothers for disadvantaged or abandoned children. They can assume the role of parents, teachers, guides or friends.
Having a spouse who will stimulate you intellectually is also a great advantage.
Joining a group of seniors can be helpful. With travel concessions, it will be possible to organize excursions to interesting places.
BE ACTIVE. Aging is not a disease. Staying in shape through exercise can help maintain aerobic power. Walking is a simple exercise. Even 15 minutes of brisk walking every day can be beneficial. Jogging, stretching, yoga, bicycling, swimming are other exercises that keep limbs flexible and muscles flexible. The oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood (the oxygen delivered to the body with each heartbeat) increases. Therefore, the brain also benefits. Mental alertness and performance improve. Those who exercise are about seven years ahead in cognitive abilities than those who lead sedentary lives. The goal should be to exercise regularly, but not too vigorously. Exercises should be planned taking into account the physical strength of the person.
Fred Kasch, an old man in his eighties, ran an exercise physiology laboratory in San Diego. He made a difference in the lives of seniors through his exercise schedules. Following him for two decades led him to the conclusion that only 1/3 of the body’s aerobic decline is due to old age. The rest is due to laziness and inactivity.
Regular exercises make one feel alive and full of vitality. It lowers bad cholesterol in the body and reduces the risk of heart attacks, vascular diseases and dementia by increasing blood circulation. However, one must know their own limits and not fall exhausted.
Cultivating interesting hobbies can also help keep you active. Stamp collecting, gardening, painting, reading, music and learning to play a musical instrument can provide hours of pleasure. The computer has opened up the world to the homebound. Armchair trips to exotic destinations, chat sessions with friends or family, scientific discoveries, political news! Everything there at your fingertips! Many people start traveling around the world, discovering new places and cultures after retirement, when family obligations end and there is time and money to spare.
Unfortunately, in India and other Eastern countries, inactivity is imposed on the elderly. They are considered fit only to keep their grandchildren entertained. Sometimes they are overloaded with request, other times, they are neglected as non-entities. They can suffer physical, psychological and economic abuse. About 33-47% experience moderate abuse, and 19-42% severe abuse.
BE SOBER. At this stage of life, one eats to live. Moderation in drinking, eating, and smoking may be prudent. Current concepts of a healthy diet include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
Seafood is rich in vitamins A, D, B and minerals such as zinc and calcium. Seafood is said to relieve arthritis, improve vision, keep the immune system in tune, and prevent common skin conditions.
Limiting meat and fat, cutting back on salt and sugar, and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can heal aging bodies. “No love is more sincere than the love of food,” says Bernard Shaw. But overeating and obesity can accelerate aging. Fatty foods also cause strokes and brain damage.
Excessive alcohol consumption causes red blood cells to stick together in bundles. These clog the capillaries and cause atrophy of groups of brain cells.
Age is not an obstacle to sex. Older people do not have to feel restricted by the attitudes and prejudices of others.
Aging makes one vulnerable to diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease. Mini strokes affect blood flow to the brain and can cause dementia.
Regular medical checkups are important. One should discuss with the doctor the details about the prescribed drug and know about the side effects. Some medicines can have adverse effects on the brain.
TO BE PREPARED. Life is a journey with an end. At the end of one’s life, it is important to come to terms with death, dying, and afterward. Faith in God is a buffer against stress and is linked to a long and healthy life. The hope and optimism offered by religion has a positive effect on the immune system. Peace with God and with our neighbor makes the final exit easier.
