How do you like to Age?

How do you like to age?

Have this question ever cross your mind? We have been so busy and rushing around that we totally overlook this question. Everyone have their own agenda – parents looking over the young ones so they grow up healthy, strong and be independent, teenagers want to grow up faster so that they can have their freedom, adults wanted to stay young so they can work smart and save more money to buy property, and pay for other necessities and the elders just want to be healthy. This is the cycle of life.

Really, have you ever wonder how you want to age? Ageing Healthy or Ageing Happy?

What triggers me to pick this topic was part because of my grandmother. At the age of 95, she is considered healthy but weak since she had a slight fall 2 years ago and has been in and out of the hospital ever since. Amazingly she is still alive and well. Another part is because the place I worked at is always frequent by older people as it is closed to one of the many rest homes in Blenheim. The last part is because I am curious – how will I age, how will those around me age – gracefully, perhaps?

Searching for information without first getting a deep understanding of the question brings me nothing. When I did, the answers are just right in front of me this whole time. It is the same when it comes to ageing, most people thought that they have prepared well for their old age to come but it is not that easy. We need to understand what our mind and body needs at the same time. Take for example, my grandmother, she was still going for morning walks, tending the garden, going to the wet market every other day for breakfast, and groceries, and still have the energy to scream at our dog when she barks (because she was happy to see her!!) to shut her up! But after the slight fall, everything changed. This shows how vulnerable we all are.

Reading through the researches, journals and articles written about older people and their health related researches, it brought to my attention that the ageing population in New Zealand is growing and definitely will continue to grow. This is not just happening in New Zealand alone but is also a global issue. Every other country are trying their best seeking solution to help their ageing population to age well, live well, be healthy, stay connected, be independent and be respected. Because of the ethnically diverse population of this world, each person aged differs from another, and we do not automatically get ‘old’ when we reach the age of 65!

Does this matter to anyone?

I think it should be. Wandering around looking for information about this topic makes me realized that we should prepare ourselves for the time to come when we need to interact and access to those services and to also reach out to others when we need support most. This is not just physical support but mentally and socially as well. As we grow old, there are things that we cannot do anymore, there are things that are simply out of grasp, only memories will live on but it will be difficult too, when you are also losing them. What can we do? Forge ahead and live how we should live – gracefully and joyously, enjoying every single minute of it! Don't just be any antique, be an ancient antique that's revered and be remembered by leaving your legacy behind!