#growingold

[misocares]

The Successful Aging

SUBJECT: Late Adulthood Interview ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DISCLAIMER: All the photos, videos, or any recording taken for documentation during the interview are for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Consent was properly delivered before conducting the whole interview. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "You don't grow old. You grow riper." - Pablo Picasso Now that we are in the evening of growth and development, it is known for a fact that aging is inevitable; it cannot be stopped. As people step into late adulthood, they often find themselves reevaluating life. They sometimes ask themselves, "Where did the time go?". They may often feel as though life runs too quickly and contemplate about the things they did before reaching the age they are in. In this stage of life, people introspect their lives, think of retirement, adjust to new social roles, and adapting certain physical changes such as diminished strength and health. Merlita is no exception... Retiring as early as the age of 23, Merlita spent her entire life living as a homemaker, a mother of 2 adults, and a grandmother of 5 children. In an interview, she shared, "Sukad na naka-bana ko, naa na gyud ko pirme diri sa balay. Alaga ug bata, hinlo sa balay, luto... mao ra gyud." She also admitted that her life has always revolved around her being a house person. Translation: Ever since I got married, I've always been at home. Taking care of the kids, cleaning the house, cooking... that's all I do. It was when she was 64 when she started noticing how her physical appearance started to change. Her hair turned mostly gray, and wrinkles started to become more visible than they were when she was in her 50s. She also openly complained how she finds it hard to remember where she puts things around the house which leaves her feeling frustrated at times. Living with her eldest daughter and her family, Merlita speaks how lucky she is despite the challenges she had witnessed in her life. Struggling with the pain caused by arthritis, her tone softened as she spoke about feeling sad for relying heavily on her daughter's income. She also revealed while bitterly laughing how rainy days are her least favorite weather condition since it triggers her joint pains. Despite her physical and emotional disbeliefs, Merlita seemed to have adjusted well in her social life. Currently, she is a devotee of a religious group known as "Holy Infant Devotees" where she committed on going twice a week, specifically during Tuesdays and Sundays. With a playful tone, she shared how these gatherings gave her the opportunity to socialize with her cohorts and share thoughts and experiences. She described these moments as opportunities to "mag-marites"---a Filipino term for gossiping. Now at the age of 70, she is a proud member of the Barangay's Mortuary/Senior Citizen Organization, also known as "Dayong". With a strong sense of spirituality, she expressed that, "Wala na ta kabalo sa panahon run. Ang kamatayon, dili gyud na malikayan. Tigulang na baya gyud ko. Maayo nalang na andam ta kung sakali kuhaon na ta sa Ginoo." with a strong sense of spirituality. Translation: We are never sure what will happen. Death is inevitable. I'm already old. It is better that we are prepared when God takes us back. The interview concludes with Merlita offering advice to the young generation to enjoy life while they still can. She emphasized that time is limited urging them to grab every opportunity they got and enjoy life to the fullest. Aging is a harsh reality that people are forced to face every day. However, the way we view aging reflects on how we view our life. On that note, it is important to view life optimistically. Merlita's story is a testament of success where life is faced with resilience and gratitude despite life's inevitable transitions. "You have empowered and inspired us all, Lola! May God bless you a happy and meaningful life." - MisoCares Words and Documentation: Sophia Ericka P. Sienes

[lifethroughtime]

S o

H appy

I ‘m 29

T oday

[thoughtsofamedic]

An Old & Humble Writer

I picked her up from her home. She had fallen. For a woman in her late 70s, she wanted to refuse taking an ambulance, but she had a rather big laceration to her leg, which would require stitches. This in addition to blood thinners, would mean she would need to be seen.

Anyway, we got to talking. We met her dog and her husband who were in the living room just keeping her company. She told me she was a writer. I asked if it would be anything I would know. She told me it was a blog, so I said I was happy to look it up and read it after. She had been in Public Relations, like me before I switched my career path during COVID.

The entire time we were with her was enjoyable. It happens rarely that we enjoy spending time with patients. We pick up citizens who are altered, in severe pain, in a panic, etc. so it is understandable that we are always trying to do our best with our time with patients. But she was different.

She had an elegance about her. A positive outlook. She told us of her travels, about her home out of state and how she came back to recover from a surgery. She didn't allow anything in her life to affect her love for live. She was kind. She was SO funny. She was gentle. I remember hoping that I would be like her when I aged.

This lady started talking to me like she had known me my entire life. But more than that, she saw that I had a passion for what I did. She noticed the little things I did to care for her, even though she was not in a life-threatening emergency. She said things like she saw right through me. And it all felt so comfortable, which usually doesn't happen to me at work.

So, we dropped her off and I cleaned the stretcher and prepared it for the next patient. I got back in the ambulance. As my partner finished up the paperwork, I started reading. She wrote about life. She wrote about love. She wrote about old and and all of the wonders that come with it.

I noticed that she stopped writing around the time of her surgery. I still check in every couple of weeks to see if there is anything new in her life.

It's those people that stay with you as a medic. The ones you learn something from. The people who see you for who you are, not having known you a day in your life.

[anitatad]

Methuselah... who's he?

Last weekend was a family weekend, where we all met at our house for a get together. We had a lovely time, and this adorable orchid was a gift and has taken up residence in my office. It has been making me smile every time I look at it… You may have noticed that I have been among the missing for the better part of this week. I haven’t been ill, even though sometimes I think I must be.…

[mindingmoi]

👶🏽👵🏽

[andthesink]

Growing up is no fun!!

I was driving to work on a sunny morning when I saw some primary school aged children walking to school. They were filled with happiness and wonder, stopping to look and smell flowers, picking up rocks (to give to those important people in their lives, of course!) and skipping/dancing along. Further along I could see some high school aged teens walking along. Their heads were down, looking at the…

[graceatthemargins]

Selfies

I  took a selfie yesterday. And what did it really say? —– My wrinkle grown skin Sags. My skin stretches with age Not smiles. Jowls threaten to enhance This time lined face. —- Eyes dimmed see the effects of time, of hope, misplaced and violent attack, Searching through the lines, unveiled a cause for laughter and joyful climes and just like Mr Happy, the corners — of that kissed…

[relaxartworld]

📜 Growing Old — a poem by Matthew Arnold (subtitled) ✒️

▶️Follow us for more 👉@RelaxArtWorld (link in bio)👈

Matthew Arnold's "Growing Old" was written in the 1860s (when the poet was only in his 40s!).It is a dark meditation on aging, in which the speaker warns readers that old age is everything they fear it will be and nothing they hope it will be.

[quotesfond]

Quotes: Age Embrace the beauty and wisdom that comes with aging. Find inspiration in age quotes from people who have lived and learned.

[manojnaironline]

About growing older

The best part about growing older is the wealth you accumulate—not in money, but in experience. How you choose to spend this treasure is entirely up to you. You can share it generously, though not everyone may recognize its value.

[lifethroughtime]

28th~

1st bday in nz 💓

[fixquotes]

"After thirty, a body has a mind of its own"

- Bette Midler

[helpful-ly]

CHASING YOUTH

We chase the fleeting echo of our youth, In serums, creams, in scalpels skin-deep, As we suspend the past under The sculptor’s blade. The wisdom gathered is expelled, discarded, Off of our skin because time is a shame. Each wrinkle sits where a minute once passed, On the way to answer your heart’s yearning For a long life, just a little more time. Did you not pray, that the death’s shadow Remains a stranger at your door?! If you are aging, it is because heaven said yes. You are spun of silver, so refined like gold. Time is not a curse Even when it makes a home on your face. It is a storage of the memories that you are, Of loves embraced, and tears that met your eyes. Let go of the chase, the yearning to rewind. Though time may steal your youth It gifts you a chance.

[cjb2014universe]

Seasons Greetings

[drwallaert]

40 Years and Here Is What I've Learned

Two days ago, I celebrated my 40th birthday. As someone who believes in personal reflection, I thought it necessary to stop and consider the lessons I have learned in the 40 years of being on this beautifully created planet, and also consider what my next 40 years need to look like. As a child, I grew up in a loving home with parents who worked hard to provide me and my sister with a good life.…

[thecpdiary]

Growing Older

It's hard enough anyone growing older. For those growing older with any form of disability, it's much harder to know how they may age. We can never know for sure how that will manifest, or what we may have to deal with.

Wisdom and growing older

But it's not just the physical symptoms that may change for anyone growing older, it's the added weight of all the years, and your experiences piling up behind you. I call those experiences, but wisdom doesn't always follow your experiences.

We can notch up experiences, but that doesn't always mean we've notched up understanding or an acceptance on our experiences and without both, there is little to no wisdom.

Ageing with a physical disability

When it comes to a physical disability, we trust that what we initially get to deal with will continue, and there will be no further developing symptoms, but that's not a guarantee. When I was initially diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia a few months ago by a holistic clinician, I had been dealing with jaw, teeth and facial pain for months.

My maxillofacial specialist visit

Then an already pre-arranged visit to a maxillofacial specialist and an x-ray and I came away with the right diagnosis, one that is easier to manage, but I still deal with jaw, ear and facial pain.

As I sleepily clambered down the stairs to take some paracetamol, I went back upstairs to put a heat disc on the nerve pain area, then fell asleep again. The difficulty and concern is not knowing what I may have to deal with next, living with a physical disability.

For more inspirational, life-changing blogs, please check out my site https://www.thecpdiary.com