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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

@Peri

@Former-Member @Eve7

Lovely hearing about your nan memories.

Mostly its like this for me . .. reading to the animals .. at least I did like Dr Dolittle!

Happy Birthday Maggie

@Maggie @Former-Member

I am a little fragile too. I guess the skin get thinner ...

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Hi @Appleblossom ,

yes the skin gets thinner in more ways than one!

peri

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter


"thin-skinned" (adjective)
To be sensitive, especially to criticism and slights... quick to take offense.

People with ‘thin skin’, or ‘thin boundary’ are more sensitive than those with thick boundaries. Their bodies and brains absorb and feel more signals from their surroundings. They react strongly to sensory stimuli and can become irritated by things like bright lights, loud sounds, particular aromas, tastes or textures.
https://www.eggshelltherapy.com/having-thin-skin/


ALSO:
REAL SKIN THINS WITH AGE:
How to deal with thin skin?
A person with thin skin may find their skin bruises or damages more easily. Protecting the skin by wearing long sleeves, and long skirts or trousers can help. Using creams that contain vitamin A, also known as retinol or retinoids, may help to prevent skin from thinning further.

In response to: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

@Appleblossom, love the pic. You mention many deep topics in your post, all of which warrant a big reply, but can only do a couple tonight...
"safety in my skin [my head] is problematic. Would kids be better off without me? I have to WORK hard now, telling myself I deserve to be alive. Its alright, I can live"
I relate to this, need to be more proactive (like you), make it a daily affirmation maybe...
"front door between me and the rest of the world"
I like this.
I shut the door on the world too, don't like the buzz and rat racing out there.

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

@Former-Member

Yes I meant both ways of looking at thin skin. I am not easily offended, because I am used to having to roll with whatever, but I am sensitive and have written on an earlier thread about boundaries.For me bridging and togetherness was also important.

Finding a way of affirming oneself is important. It is just what came out of me. It has to be what rings true within.

@Peri

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Holy Spirit spoke to me yesterday, in prayer, gently saying: "HARD TIMES ARE A GIFT TOO" wants me to be grateful, to praise Him anyway. How can I?
😭 it doesn't FEEL like a gift.. really struggle seeing the bright side of suffering 😢 need more faith...

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Ha ha .... hilarious @Former-Member .. and unfortunately so true.

Here's another one you may like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIX4d9loi7U

Em

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Not sure that one was funny @Emelia8 - My mum got her two rescue dogs at 80yrs old, 4yrs before she died. I remember thinking they would outlive her and maybe not a good idea given that she was caring for dad (mod dementia etc). But a year later she got her adenocarcinoma diagnosis (terminal). So after she died & dad went into nursing home, I rehomed one & adopted the other - Gorgeous Georgia (GG)
Does your dad have pets? I know @Zoe7 finds it hard helping her parents with their pets as they age.
Though parts of me what to die, think other will continue the upper hand and hope I'll be around a while yet for GG. Do you worry about this with your Holly? Sounds like you'll outlive mrShaz.

Never know when our number is up I guess.
Our furbabies, They actually keep us going I reckon. 🐶🐕🐩🐺🦊🐱🐈🐎🐦🦉🐓🐟🐠🌱🌳🌷
What do you reckon @Adge - worried about you.

In response to: Re: Seniors Matter

Re: Seniors Matter

Hi @Former-Member @Emelia8

Thanks for thinking of me.

Yes Seniors do matter (very much).

I'm virtually a Senior myself - depending on where you put the starting Age (very Relative).

Senior Age used to be (was always) 55 y.o.

Now being pushed up higher - As a means of denying people services until Older (Cost-cutting), & to make people keep on working until they die (have No Retirement).

The Aged Pension has been pushed up to 70y.o (from 65) - Superannuation Claim Age has been pushed back to 60y.o (from 55).

I do love my animals & birds - Not a Substitute for a Human Family (human companionship), in my opinion.

No I'm not faring well, at the moment - You maybe guessed, from my not posting/ writing anything.

Adge

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