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Recovery Club

Seniors Matter

Seniors Matter

Senior Matters 'cause Seniors Matter!

Q&A

What do you picture when you think of a senior person?

What age decade do you think someone becomes a senior?

When should a senior retire?

How do other cultures treat their seniors?

When you think of 70 year olds acting like 50, or a 50 year old living like they're 70... The line becomes quite blurred, with who's 'older'

Of cause everyone would agree that an 80 year old is definately a 'senior' citizen.

So where is the official line that defines Aussies as Seniors?

The answer is 60 years old.

I applied for my seniors card, to try claim all the discounts (I never remember to ask for... when I received the card I was delighted to read the official letter thanking me for being such a wonderful contributer to the Australian community 😇👍 but deep down... something inside me screaming... I'M NOT OLD!

The years of constantly struggling with CPTD anxiety & depression... the years have got away with me and now, im old 😞.... reality is... my body is ageing... the mirror says so, there's wrinkles, there's grey and white streaks, its harder to move, I'm forgetful, i get nervous, lack confidence, I dither and rummage in my handbag, people are starting to pop off around me more, hospital doctors all look 12 yrs old and my friend's kids have grandkids.... This is entirely unacceptable state of affairs and I need support.

I go to the doctor... but sadly even doctors bother less with our aches and pains and worries. She says:

"All part of ageing" -

"not much we can do"...

"not much point doing an x-ray when it's almost definately just arthritis..." 😞 In other words

SUCK IT UP!

Why don't they just have a 'morning after 60 pill' or a euthenasia back door.. How can i face this ageing thing and all the sadness by myself when the doctors even don't care.? Really triggers the SI, how can they not know this and be kinda?

There

was a distinct difference in the way I'm treated since turning 60.

Always echoing in my mind is the comment a GP said about one of his older seniors "past her useby date" Oh dear, it's like we're already dead, but

we just gotta go on like we're not and won't. 😟 😞 Can't stop the decline. Just have to

- roll with the punches

- go with the flow

- age gracefully ...

But sadly, even in Mental Health, there's this undercurrent that "it's too late" for us seniors. Set in our ways they say... the less likely we are to change... and that might be true because we've seen so much, morphed for others a million times, and yes, kinda somewhat disillusioned with constantly changing systems that focus on money more than humanity... Sometimes I wonder if some structures are created to puff out the workforce more than service provision.

But truth is, my biggest hurdle is my deep beliefs about ageing.

- I planned to 'check out' at 50 because everyone gets sick after 50...

- i should have it all together at my age (ha, not happening, getting worse)

- the Kidz will bring the grandkids over for Sunday lunch and I'll love cooking for them... (not happening)

- my hubby will grow old with me, and talk together and hold me close every night. (didn't happen😞)

DOES ANYONE RELATE? OR HAVE A SENIOR ISSUE TO TALK ABOUT?

Appleblossom and Peace have raised senior issues this week...

- RETIREMENT and MOBILITY

I'm hesitant to reveal my age these days, so when it's non consequential, I take off 10yrs. People listen more to 52yr old than they do to 60yr old.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE 60 TO CHAT HERE. OR REVEAL YOUR AGE.

Just love to hear your experiences.

EOR 💌

136 replies

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In response to: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Thanks @Emelia8 💙
No, I am mostly self isolating for 14days after last Friday visit from high risk Brisbane friend who was at an exposed venue. Plus I have sus symptoms (runny blocked nose, headaches, sweats).
My son's been snappy with me, I've concluded we are on different planets emotionally, perceptions and loyalties. It's sad. We kissed my birthday and now working through Easter he says with frustration. But for all I know he's got visitors I'm not allowed to know about. Like when he went to my nephew's wedding and was told not to tell me. Or his dad's side of the family. I'm not comfortable around any of them due to past mistakes, tensions, and the shame of my two MH admissions and overweight. Just driftinf apart, I don't know them anymore and there's no red carpet rolling out lol = invitations.. If I AM the toxic entiry, and they're all perfect, then I'm doing everyone a favour hiding away. Just hard on my son, and lonely. He gets angry with himself (and me) if he feels tawn or critised, so I just have to shut up and put up. Right now, even though I've decided to isolate
SI has been strong.

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Oh I see @Former-Member ... one of the self isolation situations for covid. Although you do have the symptoms of covid that we are all told to look out for, its likely you dont have it. Of course if your Brisbane friend is subsequently diagnosed with it, it will probably be necessary for you to get tested as well. But I totally understand your reluctance to wait in line for such a long time to get the test. I hope you are feeling better than you were yesterday by now anyway. Fingers crossed.

I'm sorry your Son has been snappy with you, and I agree that men and women are from different planets! Whats that book? Men are from Mars and women are from Venus I think it is. So you're right about that!

Oh EOR ... please never think of yourself as being the toxic one. I have never ever seen any evidence of that being the case. In fact quite the opposite. Its true that we all have our imperfections. And I mean everyone ... gee, even me ... and thats hard to admit. LOL. 🤣 But you should not be depriving others of the pleasure of your beautiful company.

I note that yesterday you mentioned that your SI had been strong. Do you have your thoughts under better control today I wonder?

I got my little Holly's test results back when the vet rang me late yesterday afternoon. The tests confirmed that she has Cushings disease, which explains the high reading of the liver enzymes a couple of weeks ago. I guess its good that it wasnt something worse. The vet said "its actually good news", because it could have been something much worse. We will have to try to manage the Cushings disease symptoms now. Its a malfunction of the adrenal gland where it produces too much cortisol. Its something that humans get also. Unfortunately the recommended medications are expensive, have nasty side effects and she would need regular monitoring and retesting. As her symptoms are not overly bad right now, I have decided to just monitor closely and see how she goes. I will look into natural remedies which may help if things get worse for her.

Big hug for you beautiful lady, and a cuddle for little GeorGia. And a happy easter to you too.

Emelia 💞

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Hi #Emelia8 and thank you.
I'm not good. Had upset Thursday (connected to my siblings of cause) and I donno, I cried for a day, resisted powerful SI (to do it yesterday, Good Friday :face_with_rolling_eyes:visuals and all). Kinda scares me that one day I won't think to resist or find things to distract. But did yesterday...
Actually putting fav songs to USB to have sittin, there plugged in cd player just waiting to be turned on. So much easier than fiddling with cds... and Better than the tv noise of late (I tend to have it on for company)... so much rubbish filling our brains from tv... more than we're aware of I fear... and the news lately😩... such a trigger for me... not just the sexual crimes but the way high profile people treat each other...
No, it's better to have this music I like on the USB ready to go... Actually christined a voice recorder yesterday (a tiny USB stick i purchased online some time ago)... actually figured out how to use it, to record one of my fav songs from YouTube (divice to divice) and got a buzz how well it turned out. Technology has come such a long way. Quite the distraction... Running away I know 😞 but i do trying also to acknowledge my inner turmoil pain (that sometimes rises up to smash me in the face, well, I try remember to stop what I'm doing, do the breathing exercises and connect with / acknowledge that horrible pain shaking me from the core... and also try to sit in silence a while too... deep breaths... stop running... its hard. (But probably helps lower my blood pressure if nothing else lol).
Gosh, it's 3AM and really quiet but really windy outside. Im So thankful for my four walls and soft bed.
Betta go xox

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

I'm really glad and relieved @Former-Member that you have been able to resist those powerful urges of SI and SH.

Sounds like a great idea to put all your favourite songs onto a USB, ready to play whenever you need some solace. I do agree that there is a lot of rubbish on tele, and unfortunately there is rarely any good news on the news these days. And yeah, unfortunately many news items are highly triggering for many of us. I'm sorry its all so very hard EOR.

I too am mighty thankful that you have four walls, a soft comfy bed and a sweet little dog there to comfort you.

Thinking of you sweet EOR.

Emelia 💞🤗

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Just sending you some love @Former-Member

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

@Former-Member

💜💕💜

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