Smart Aging Requires a Full Dance Card

“Do you remember back when …?”

“I sure wish that was still …”

“When I was younger, I would …”

Does any of that sound familiar? Do you feel content with your life today, but still, in a way, feel sad that you had to move on from yesterdays? Well, you’re not alone. However, the key is to move on.

Things change. Jobs change. Careers change. Politics change. The economy changes. Societal values change. Aging occurs. We lose loved ones or friends. Some of us say, “Well, I guess I’ll just have to quit doing what I liked to do because of ….” That’s not good or even exactly correct.

We need to learn to deal with this “other world.” Those in the bereavement field sometimes call this sort of thing “the new normal.” We need to find new interests, new ways of doing things, more friends. A good approach might be that for each thing we have to give up, like gardening because of arthritis, that we find a new interest or a new way to still “sort of” keep the old interest alive.

How about the lady who loved to garden, had the biggest and prettiest one on her street every single year? Now, she’s older (and wiser, of course) and physically can’t till the soil or tend to the towering plants regularly. She could still enjoy indoor plants or limit her gardening to a small patio area.

Then there’s the man who had severe cardiac problems and lost his best friend all in the same year. He could join a medically supervised wellness center and meet new buddies. Maybe he and those new friends can form a group to volunteer in the community. Many nonprofit organizations with worthwhile missions are begging for pairs of hands to help.

Finally, there’s the lady who traveled “the world.” Taking a cruise, touring to some exotic place, finding rare birds, etc. were the things to do every year. She’s much older now and can’t travel, so now she takes school children through parks to teach them about birds and leaves and flowers. They learn through her perhaps diminished health but wealth of knowledge. Her time and talent mean “the world” to those kids.

Get the picture? Our lives will change. Take that to the bank. But, dance every single dance. Fill up your card. Don’t sit any out. Don’t be a wallflower. If the dance steps have changed, just jump right in and learn the new ones or modify the old ones. Someone will be there to help you. Before you know it, you’ll think the new dances are every bit as good as the old ones! And the new friends you meet might just be cool, too. This is empowerment. This is independence. This is remaining in control of your life. This is Smart Aging.

Leave a Reply

Past Post

Time on your hands (Jan. 28, 2008)

Getting Ready for Retirement — Can You Hear Me Now? (Jan. 14, 2008)

Karen Talbott

President, Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates

I am a native of Cadiz, Ohio (the infamous birthplace of Clark Gable), a resident of Fairlawn, Ohio, and am the president of Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates, which is the largest comprehensive home health care system in Ohio. I am also a Fellow of Hospice and Home Care, one of only a few so designated in the United States by the National Association for Home Care. At Kent State University, I received both bachelors and masters degrees.

I’ve always been interested in the health care industry and especially as that relates to services for the senior population. That has led me to be involved in many community organizations such as the Senior Independent Living Coalition and Social Services Advisory Board in Summit County.

I’m privileged to have been recognized for my professional work over the years, including Crain’s Cleveland Business’ Woman of Note; Northern Ohio Live’s Top Woman Rainmaker Award; 2006 Extraordinary Woman Award from the Akron Beacon Journal; and more.

I’m a baby boomer. One of 78 million in fact. Lost in a crowd — no way! Baby boomers and those before us will leave and have left their mark on America for generations to come. Now that’s exciting.