Aging by one who is aging

Aging by one who is aging M y purpose is to discuss issues of aging from the point of view of one who has reached that state.Most research and discussion is done by younger people, who look from the outside in, and although they understand and can analyse what is going on, they cannot understand it from experience.The process that takes place is a slow one.One hardly notice's a change day by day.One's mind always sees oneself as younger, full of vitality, and quite able to cope with anything.It is not the sense that the adolescent has of immortality, rather it is a sense of sureness that comes from long experience.Suddenly one notes what people call senior moments, where one forgets names and facts, only to have it return later.Then, you start losing things.They could be left anyplace in the house, in the office, or the car.You soon get comments from your spouse, wondering if you should buy radio locators that are sold by Sharper Image.You say no, but you really would like to say yes.That would be admitting a deficit!You've always felt that you were physically fit, indeed cardiac non-impaired.You don't puff when you climb the steps, or when you take long walks.However, you notice that it's hard to twist tops off the jar, and that it requires help from spouse or friends.You join an exercise class, and because you're dyslexic you discover that when others move their right hand and left leg, you move your left hand and right leg.However, you feel comfortable with the Y.It is a neighbourhood place and friendly.You make friends there, most are almost your age, although Dan who was in his mid-80s claims seniority.Ah! Ha! Suddenly your sight dims and you find you have a cataract requiring an operation that is quick and successful.However, the right side of the automobile is harder to see than the left, requiring that you stay in the left lane of traffic.Being a geriad, you are often urged to move faster.Night time driving is turned over to your wife after you've bumped the fender, and had a few minor accidents.Obviously, the insurance will go up, but so far after being with that insurance company for over 50 years, they say nothing.How can all this be?In my head I am only 40 years old, and can do anything.Self image is important, so I accept the 40.All these things are minimal when one begins to think of your friends, because one by one they're dying off.Having started my career young, many are older than me.That's a reason.It then happens that younger ones start dying and soon you get a sense of loneliness.However, when four or five people end up with cancer and others died during the same time period, it gets overwhelming.It seems like there's no one left.You talk to your students.You talk with your family.But somehow, younger people, although understanding don't really understand they are just observing aging.When you do talk with the peer, or a close peer, we are discussing symptoms, illnesses, death and dying.One starts visiting the ill, holding hands, remembering them in the past, and reviewing life histories.You remember when we did this at about?Do you remember Ian McHarg, the Scotsman?We talk of people, places, and the things we've done.We reminisce.You live in your familiar home, and go to your familiar office.You see all the books, pictures, and things you've

Aging and Gerontology Research · Aging, Health, and Disability · Medicine · Gerontology