Lessons I’ve Learned From Standing Close to Sixty-Plus Lives
Sometimes, life feels like you are living in the shadows of someone, and for me, growing up, I had a very rare privilege of spending time around people who were sixty years and above. Naturally, I love to hang around elderly people, but the opportunity was very uncommon. It is either that they were busy, gone to work, at a funeral meeting, seeing the doctor, or attending to the little baby of their firstborn son or daughter. It got to a point, I started feeling like, hey, maybe that is the norm when you get to this age, sixty and above.
But then, at a point in my life when I had to stay with a woman in her eighty's for months, I learned, observed, and studied quite a lot of things about what life feels like when a person gets to sixty and above. And it was quite a surprise when her sister, who was seventy, also came to stay. Betty, I know that's not your name, my dear reader, but I listened to a lot of their stories, watched how they went about their daily routines, and didn't hesitate to not leave out observing how life gradually reshapes their body, mind, and the priorities they set for themselves.
What I figured out and was quite astonished about was that, for most people turning sixty, life here is not about aging but transitioning into a new phase of life where reflection of old days becomes an everyday thought. For many older men and women, sixty is the point where life stops being rushed and starts being reviewed. And from my father, who once told me that in old age, you may have the independence, but yet have the need for support.
Understanding the Meaning of Sixty Years and Beyond
1. Understand that it is not the end, nor is it the beginning, but a shift
Opposite to our common beliefs, reaching the ages of sixty and above does not mean life begins to slow down to a halt. But rather it is a moment in one's life
- Where the person's ambitions begin to give way to contentment
- Where a person's competition gives way to peace
- And where noise gives room to reflection
To think outside the box, there is much more in life than looking at it from the standard viewpoint. You need to take a closer look at it, make closer observations, and think beyond the unthinkable.
And if you think old age can be reversed, you may as well be still dreaming like Cinderella, who had a dream in her sleep, and luckily, it came true. Even the World Health Organization clearly states it in their articles that aging is a natural process that is mostly influenced by the genetics of a person, their environment, their lifestyle, and also social factors.
2. The Physical Reality of Life After Sixty
Yes, what does the body begin to feel? One of the most likely observations you may have made about changes after sixty is physical strength. For adults who are older, you begin.
- To notice that their movement is slow, and flexibility becomes a battle
- To notice the stiffness in their joints, especially in the morning, as I observed from the two old ladies
- You begin to see a reduction in their energy levels
- You see that it takes a longer time for them to recover from illness or injury.
These changes are normal, and my further research helped me discover that these changes are even supported by research from institutions like the National Institute on Aging (NIA).
But yes, here is the thing: what are the ways older adults cope physically?
- They do engage in light physical activities like walking about and stretching
- They eat balanced diets very rich in calcium as well as fiber
- They attend checkups regularly and finally
- They make sure to get enough rest.
And for you to note, my mum will say, aging well is not about fighting age, but it is about working with age wisely.
3. The Emotional and Physical Experience After Sixty
I am not yet sixty and above, and writing this article did not take me just a week of observation, or a day of observation; it took me years of observation. It is not surprising to know that after sixty, many people begin to take a reflection on their lives. The questions they keep asking themselves are that,
- Did I live well? Is it a life good enough?
- Did I raise my children well? Are they in much better places than I was?
- Have I left any legacy behind? Which is it?
4. The Social Life and Relationships After Sixty
For friends, you may see none. Social circles often become very small after sixty. What the older man or woman may begin to value more and more are family over friendship, good conversation over noise, and respect over being popular.
A strong family tie is much needed and important at this age. One reason is that you will always need someone to be by your side.
5. As a Society, How Can We Better Support Older People
I do not know and can't tell how it happens in some parts of the world, but in my part of the world, supporting the elderly means having them stay in the family home with the family. Be it a daughter, son, or a grandchild who is of age and responsible. But the things we can all do to support, no matter which part of the world we find ourselves, can include:
- The provision of healthcare, which must be easily accessible
- We should encourage conversations between the older generation and the younger generation
- Showing love, care, and staying patient.
Before you leave
I want you to take this from me. Appreciate, love, respect, and care for the older men and women you have in your community. If you have parents, grandparents, or elders around you, take time to listen. One day, their reality may become yours.
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