subject: Realizing That You Are Old [print this page] If you live a normal life, you may come to the day when you suddenly or not so suddenly realize that you are old. You have become a senior citizen and may well be the oldest person in the room at any given time. It may have become difficult to walk, see, or hear. Life has changed. It could be more carefree in some ways with more problems in other ways.
Becoming elderly has its advantages along with its disadvantages. Depending on your family and home situation, some of the advantages may be:
Being able to sleep in as long as you want or to stay up as late as you like
Watch anything you want on TV
Not having a busy daily schedule
Eat what you want when you want
Disadvantages may include:
Health issues which come with advanced years (immobility, unable to sleep, diseases, weight)
Family members may not live close by and life may be lonely
Friends of the same age range may have passed on without enough new friends
Friends of the same age may be hard of hearing making conversations difficult
Realizing that you are old may be a rude awakening to the realities of life. Some things which may help senior citizens to cope with the trials and to be able to enjoy life more are:
Make new friends in your age group with similar interests
Become involved with a senior citizen center
Spend time with younger people inside and outside of your family
Maintain good relationships with family members
Send emails or cards to children and grandchildren regularly
Stay as active as possible
Don't feel sorry for yourself and don't let yourself succumb to depression
Get medical attention when necessary
Allow friends and family to help when possible and necessary
People at any age will most likely never stop worrying about their family members and their welfare, but people need to realize that there may be nothing they can do about their family problems and situations. There is no good which can come with excessive worry. If it is possible to help out with emotional or financial help, the senior citizen should feel free to do so. It is too late to think about problems of spoiling their children. If they need help, give it if you are in a position to do so.
Enjoy life as long as you can and in any way that you can. If you are no longer able to travel, find other ways to experience or see things such as through books or television. There are lots of ways to be useful even if the energy and the mobility are no longer readily available. Do things that you enjoy within the limits of your newfound independence and lifestyle. Realizing that you are old does not have to be an entirely bad thing and can offer different challenges as well as blessings.
