This week member Helen Brown passionately calls for respect and recognition for older citizens. You can join Helen’s live event Elevenses with Helen: Tea, talk and togetherness every other week, where you can share your joys, frustrations or funny moments from the week, in a safe and confidential space – perfect for chatting and connecting.
Why do many of us older citizens feel we don’t have a place in this world? Some of us feel threatened by violence, fear of losing our mental faculties and appearing stupid, and perhaps waiting for that first fall that signals the end of our independence. Then there are those who treat us like ‘numpties’, with that condescending tone that we’re being tolerated. Perhaps we’re not good enough to comment any more, perhaps we should sit down and be quiet?
Even technology presents hurdles; the pace of advancing tech seems to run away with itself, and we start lagging behind. Another knock to our confidence.
We may need help at times, be it with glasses, hearing aids, a stack of medications, or a slower pace but inside we’re still the ‘us’ that we were in our twenties.
Recently, I’ve had many an older friend tell me that they feel they live in an ‘ageist’ society. Doctors tell them “That’s what you should expect at your age” as though that’ll make everything okay; you can just go away and accept your pain and suffer in silence. Where is the life of the older person that we believed we would achieve? Where is the respect and the compassion?
I have had the pleasure of chatting with quite a few members of The Joy Club, and I’m blown away with your life experiences. You have all done great things, whether it be in your professional careers, bringing up family, supporting your communities, or caring for your elders. You have contributed to society, and you are owed!
We all need to hold our heads high and be the person we know we are.
We have earned respect. We are important.
Up the revolution!