Tuesday, 28th September 2021 — Ageing gracefully is no easy feat. As people live longer, it takes boundless effort to stay healthy and engaged in the senior years. Most of us think of elders as people who are 60 to 65 years or greater. In Indigenous cultures, like the Hawai’ian Islands, an elder is a person who is older than oneself.
Many societies give respect and honour to senior citizens. Yet in today’s civilisation, that no longer seems to be the norm. Oftentimes, the younger generation, and the middle aged too, think the elderly are old-fashioned and have lost touch with the current times. That may be true for some, but not for everyone.
Although I may be viewed as a senior because of my chronological age, I do my best to maintain a youthful perspective – eat healthily, be active and evolve with life’s circumstances to enhance who I am. I gained considerable insights from caring for ageing relatives and friends that taught me to take care well of myself.
Some people have aged with grace. Others succumbed to the weight of their years lived. Several of my aunts who surpassed the century mark were quite active in their daily living. Even at 101 years old, my father’s sister, Aunt Ella Mae Ferguson Kelly, was still cooking. I remember visiting her in Maple Grove, Minneapolis, where she roasted a chicken and baked a lemon meringue pie for Sunday dinner.
Engaging elders in various physical and mental activities helps to preserve healthy bodies and brains. They also need inter-generational contact with children and young people, which assists older persons to live more vibrantly and sustains young-at-heart mind sets. I highlight below some of the things that are done in the Anguilla community to benefit the seniors.
For example, Mr Carl Thomas (not the pilot) has for the past eight years organised programmes for the elderly who are residents in the island’s four senior citizens’ homes. He arranges events such as cosmetic makeovers in October, a musical event featuring the talents of Messrs Lennox Vanterpool and Michael “Dumpa” Martin for the Christmas holidays in December and another activity in February.
There are various church groups and other organisations who also present a number of activities for the elders and visit them at home – although the COVID protocols may limit such exposure. I commend Mr Thomas and everyone who is involved in these special arrangements to entertain and give back to the aged who are confined to care facilities and homes.
However, we must engage more often with our seniors and encourage children and young people to regularly interact with elders. Ongoing activities can be a standard part of school curriculums, special projects and summer camps. Positive interactions exchanged between the youthful and the older help to uplift seniors’ spirits. It also gives the younger generation opportunities to experience the elders’ wisdom and knowledge.
Focussing attention on teaching ourselves about the ageing process, and how to maintain healthiness and vibrancy as we live longer, are also important aspects to be included. Good health is not something that money can buy. Too many persons rely on doctors, nurses and healthcare providers to prescribe medications to assuage health ailments – instead of proactively taking initiatives to remain healthy naturally.
What we feed our bodies can positively or adversely impact our overall health. The same is true for our thoughts and words. They can have a negative or positive effect on our mental health. Eating fresh, locally grown, organic and raw foods brings life to the body. Consuming too much alcohol dampens our spirits, increases blood sugar levels and can cause cirrhosis of the liver.
Moderate exercise, movement and deep breathing control blood pressure – as well as improve mobility and reduce stress levels. If we don’t use our muscles consistently, then atrophy sets in. We lose our body masses’ strength to do daily tasks and become reliant on home health aides, like walkers and wheelchairs.
Reducing the stressors in our lives is as equally important as to how we nourish our bodies. Letting go of the internalised emotions improves our immune systems. Otherwise, holding onto anxiety, fear, pain, suffering and trauma can manifest disease or illness. It’s best we do whatever we can to maintain our health and wellness whilst young, in order to age gracefully as we live extended lifespans.
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Kay M Ferguson is a contributing columnist who uses a nom de plume, The Empress Extraordinaire. Her words encourage us to explore who we are, evolve as human-beings and transform our world. Link with Kay at anguillawriter@gmail.com.
