Our recent Elders Take Action meeting was held outside at the home of a member who has recently been injured in a motor vehicle accident. She requested the meeting at her place (for obvious reasons) and she wanted us to see her roses (gorgeous) and to enjoy the feeling of connection at this difficult time for her.
As we started to begin with a “check-in”, the first member (of the eight) spoke of the difficulties of aging – how hard it is to weed the veggie bed for example – we all silently agreed, but all the other ‘check-ins’ were about positive things. Maybe seeing family, the sunshine, the recent welcome rain.
How can we age healthily? It is so easy as we see our abilities decline to feel morose more often, to avoid connection as activities become difficult or painful. We may be grieving for lost friends, or family members. We may not feel we have “anything to offer” in connecting with others.
On the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (findable with quick on-line search), run by McMaster University (based in Hamilton, Ontario), it is stated that healthy aging is largely determined by a) staying connected, b) engaging in lifelong learning, c) giving yourself credit for the small stuff and d) having a positive attitude. For example, noticing how you are talking about your own aging.
Looking at these four determinants of healthy aging, this spring CV Elders Take Action hosted a 6 member panel at Florence Filberg to discuss the importance of connection as we age. And our recent meeting (referred to above) showed how focussing on the positives of aging actually helps increase those positives. It sounds a bit Pollyannaish, but seems to be an evidence-based truth. But, of course, it is also important to be able to express our angst and have a sympathetic ear.
How to engage in lifelong learning? Many seniors take a course through the local college (Elder College programs) or engage in an activity through Florence Filberg Evergreen Seniors programs in Courtenay, or D’Esterre Seniors Centre in Comox.
How about giving yourself credit for the small stuff? A senior I spoke with recently said, “I now clean only one window, and then appreciate how great it looks. Enough for one day!” We don’t need to put unmanageable roadblocks in our path. As they say, a thousand-mile journey begins with a single step.
Aging is a journey that is not easy. Our bodies may make many activities difficult or impossible. We may be frustrated with how long it takes us to do a task, and the pain involved. We undoubtedly are unpleasantly amazed by how much home and garden care services cost. There seems to be evidence all around us reminding us of our decline. But, and it is a big “but”, we are “still here, and we are not silent”, and we can help ourselves and other seniors we know and encounter, to find the silver lining in this journey.
Jennifer Pass is the co-ordinator of Comox Valley Elders Take Action
Website: https://cvelderstakeaction.info Email: cvelderstakeaction@shaw.ca
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