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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

I decided a long time ago, if I have to look in the mirror and see me as I am, so does the rest of the world! Don't wear makeup (very rarely, last night I put on some lipstick). Don't colour my hair, it has grey but that's part of ageing.

I have always loved being around older people. They're wise and can share alot of knowledge and wisdom and their pace is more calming, generally. Yep I've been told by specialists "welcome to your 50s!,). Yep, this buttercup is very experienced at the suck it up attitude, I wear it like a badge of honour as I defy misconceptions, prejudice, judgey attitudes. I ignore all the messages out there and the constant barrage of conflicting information and let it wash over me like waves in the ocean.

I've worked very hard at acceptance and trying to live contentedly. Admittedly I have a very supportive family and friends. But perhaps this is because they're part of the journey, and always have been, as my decision and theirs. I retired early for the sanity of myself and my family, best decision ever made. Mobility wise keep on moving, walking, doing, the housework keeps me busy! Looking after Mum cooking/cleaning/chopping wood, keeps me busy and fit! And I love my yoga 🥰 I also try to adopt others as extended family as I decided not to put the expectations of grandchildren and family meals on my own family. This way nobody gets upset or disappointed.

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Hi @Athena01, and welcome to the forums. You sound really down to earth person, and strong.even chopping wood 😲 wow! And so inclusive. Your my dreams of what I'd like my life to look like. I don't wear makeup or nail polish or hair die either, plain Jane he. Though weddings and church I might use eye shadow, mascara. How was your day?

In response to: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Hi @Former-Member thank you for asking. I’ve had a change of meds and the result hasn’t been good. My pdoc has gone away for a few days but an on call pdoc is coming to see me and hopefully it will be ceased as the nausea is just too much. I’ll stay off the forums until it’s sorted.

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Oh @Dear @Eve7. - nasty side affects, maybe the dose is too high. Wish we could compare medications here, took me years to find the right medication. You don't have to stay off the forums if we're helping. I had a psych telehealth apt yesterday, she's going away too, really hard when they go away at critical times. Hope it all settles soon - One day at a time 🌷🙏

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

@Eve7 Sorry to hear the change of meds has had an adverse affect for you. Bad timing too with your usual pdoc away. I agree with @Former-Member, that there is no need to avoid the forums during this time. If its helpful to be here, then please continue to be here as and when you need.

@Former-Member ... With the big interstate move to happen within weeks, you will be facing some major changes. Including needing to find a whole new team of medical and mental health professionals.

I read about your sons message, that he is looking forward to having you nearby soon. Thats so nice. And I bet it gave you a lift too.

Sherry 💖

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Hi @Former-Member,
Oh dear, I can't think that far ahead Sherry, just focusing here. Today my knee started to give way while I was packing this afternoon. Really frustrating. Rest helped but now lower back pain so took analgesia and laying down again. Really gotvsblot done though. Filled the van for charity trip 🙂 even @Former-Member would be impressed. Love finding things I've been looking for.
Real estate agent has sent me three notifications for inspections next week 😏 - definately not gonna be tidy for them. Boxes everywhere... too bad. Surprised how much i've gathered but not much really, not like the family home when I sold up 18months ago.
Yes, my son being glad I'm coming closer "excellent" was his word, and seeing me more... Was good. And yes agreed to pay removalist for me now he's in a position to help / pay back some of what I lent him last year. Glad, because the brother's I helped out in the hundreds in Sydney, they haven't paid back cent... My son has more integrity than all them put together.
Are you feeling any better @Former-Member, know you've had a rough patch, when you get down you really crash don't you... almost bipolar like, hope you can bounce back faster this time. Such a difficult situation youre in 🌷

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

@Former-Member I have not caught on your news but gather you are on the move. Did you end up getting the block of land? Other? Have you found a place to move to? Will you be able to get your stuff out of storage?

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Gee @Former-Member you are in the wars arent you? Sorry the knee is now giving you futher strife, and now the lower back has also gone out in sympathy. Not good when you have so much to do with the packing and everything. But it sounds like you are making good progress, and I know you will get it all done.

I'm sure the real estate agent wont have a problem with a bit of disorder happening in the house, for the upcoming inspections. You're packing up to move soon ... what do they expect? Its pretty amazing how much you can accumulate in only 18months. Expects say we should move house every couple of years ... just so we are forced to declutter and get rid of anything we simply dont need or use. Perhaps thats a good philosophy.

I'm so pleased EOR that your son is sounding so happy about you moving closer. I know you have a bit of an up and down relationship with him ... but he sounds like a basically very good fellow. And I think its great that he is looking forward to you being closer and having the opportunity to see you more. Clearly you have brought him up to be a decent human being too .. in that when he has the ability to he is paying you back what you lent him. You should be proud of him, but yourself as well.

Yes I am coping with things a little better today thanks @Former-Member . Unfortunately thats true ... I can crash pretty badly.

Sorry you're upset about the 'weighty' post on the other thread. I note that it has turned up again, with changes. Original looked pretty innocent to me, but I'm the last one to advise on that one. 😵

Good night @Former-Member

Sherry 🤗💕

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Hey @Former-Member, how are you and yours? yes, I'm on the move again. No, the block of land fell through but hope to look more once up there. Yes,vpicknup the new key to my unit 21st. It does help to be able to picture where I'm going, its 1.5hr drive from my son who I'd like to spend more time W this next couple of years. And yes, ill be able to get my stuff out of storage, and feel 'all together' again Willable to get your stuff out of storage? You remember,vthank you 👍

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

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