Smart Senior

Senior to Senior: Seniors Play Solitaire

If you like to play cards you probably took umbrage when a certain somebody said it was a waste of time. I had all but given up playing cards in the years before the pandemic, but the waste of time remark prompted me to search out a well-worn deck of cards. One of my favorite books, made into a movie, was about an “older” woman wiling away hours in a prison cell, learning 72 ways to plays to play solitaire. It occupied her time and as it turned out, the microfilm was in the deck of cards. Well, no microfilm in my cards but playing solitaire has always been a great way to relax and calm the mind. I like to think of solitaire as an inexpensive tranquillizer that, while mildly addictive, is not harmful to your health. Some say it is a way to delay dementia because it stimulates the brain. Who am I to argue about that? We learned to play card games and to build houses out of cards; it was quite a fete. Busy work, sure, but remember when we were kids, we didn’t have internet, movies or computer games. All we had and needed was a deck of playing cards. I prefer physical cards and find the exercise of shuffling therapeutic for osteoarthritic hands, but by all means, play a digital version if necessary. Stuck in traffic or on public transportation; crank up your phone or iPad for a digital game. Not quite the same, but it will do. The best part is that you don’t have to round up another person to play with; it is all about you. You won’t always win, and cheating is taboo, but there is always a glimmer of hope that you will prevail. Is it really a waste of time? If you have an anxious mind, and many of us do (always thinking ahead, planning the next event, worrying about everything) solitaire is for you. Solitaire. Just the right level of absorption to let your mind reset. The structure and symmetry, the repetition, and the simplicity, are all soothing to the busy brain. Don’t let anyone shame you into giving up this simple pleasure.

Senior to Senior: Awesome

Young people use the word awesome a lot these days, but true “awesomeness” isn’t a word to be taken lightly, or to be overused in a moment of enthusiasm. Awesome needs to be reserved for something that is truly over the top; something that will change the way you think and feel forever. You know what I mean. I’m talking about goose bumps and tears in the eye’s moments. The kind of awesome that only happens when you see, hear, or feel something that you have never experienced before. Seniors understand awesome better than most; they have been around long enough to know that it is truly something out of the ordinary. When they say “been there done that” they are talking about meaningful, awesome moments. It is sad that so many people have become self-focused, materialistic, and disconnected. They have lost something truly wonderful; the sense of wonder. It isn’t too late you know, and you could write it off as therapy if you chose. Researchers have suggested that feeling awe is good for you. A sense of awe can boost happiness and reduce stress. After all, learning how to experience and appreciate awesome is a natural phenomenon. All you have to do is look, listen and feel. Awesome is right in front of you; a bird song, a sunrise, a sunset, a starry sky, a spider web, dewdrops on a flower, or an isolated stretch of beach. Look closely, frame it with your hands or use a cardboard cutout. Take a photo if you must, but consider just standing there and taking it all in. Look for awesome. You don’t have to travel the world to experience awesome moments. Go for a walk or sit in your backyard. It’s there. You will know it when it happens. Your eyes will open wide and you will feel a sense of appreciation that changes the way you look at things… forever. What were your most memorable moments? A starry sky perhaps, a magnificent waterfall, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, or the birth of a child. Goose bumps, right?

Senior to Senior: Resilience

Resilience, cool word, but what does it mean? To most of you it means that you have learned from past mistakes, and that you are still here. Learning is the key to resilience; recognizing that that what you have learned in the past is the reason that “you are still here.” What exactly did you learn this past year? Probably more than you bargained for, as you’ve struggled to think of yourselves in a collective sense. Is your glass half empty or half full? Do you see yourself as expendable or as a contributing member of society? Make your years count for something. Prove that you still have the ability to function normally when times are tough. It hasn’t been easy. Social distancing, wearing a mask, avoiding favorite sports arenas, and not being able to indulge in favorite pastimes, has taken its toll on everyone. But if you are resilient you can still serve as the leader of your pack. Follow the rules and teach by example, just as you’ve always done. Step up to serve as cooks, bottle washers, babysitters, tutors, and mentors. Keep your family safe and together. After all, there is a reason why you are still here. What have you learned: • In the interest of communication, you have accepted and learned how to use modern technology. • You have learned to downsize because you need extra space. With extra time on your hands, you’ve found ways to turn your house into a restaurant, a gym, a school room, a studio, and an office. • You’ve learned that by staying home you can get by on your social security check. You saved money by not traveling, eating out, going to concerts or sporting events, or buying new clothing. • Political upheaval has made you rethink the direction that you want your country to go. You have time now to plan on what you can do to make a difference. • You have learned to appreciate and strengthen all of your relationships. Only people who have weathered “other storms” can truly understand the importance of being involved in something” bigger than themselves.”

Senior to Senior: Comforts of Home

The pandemic has changed the way we think about our homes. Yes, seniors too. Who would have thought, a year ago, that we would be spending so much time in one place? For years the places that we called home were little more than launching pads; a place to sleep, eat, and store stuff. Even in retirement, the amount of time spent indoors was just a drop in the bucket. Now, all of a sudden, we have been instructed to go home and stay there. Whoa, that’s a lot of time in one place, and frankly it isn’t as easy as imagined. Chaos rules. The place that used to be just a stopgap now serves as a home office, a school, a mini health clinic, a restaurant, a gym, a studio and an entertainment center. Few people have the money to move, renovate, or recreate a functional living space. Unless you have always lived in a mansion, or always worked at home, you now face quite an adjustment. The worst part is that you are all grown up now; living like a college student just won’t do. You need a plan, and a good bit of ingenuity, to turn four walls into a cozy nest. Small changes to your home can boost your mood, energy, and overall well-being. • Rearranging your furniture and adding touches of color. • Declutter. Nothing is more distracting that “stuff” piled all over. • Designate different spaces for work, leisure, and exercise. While it may be convenient to do all of your work in one messy room, it seldom works well. Aim to: • Stay positive and upbeat • Surround yourself with things that you love • Think light and airy • Bring the outdoors inside; botanicals are beneficial in so many ways Now more than ever we all need a place to restore our balance, and to come to terms with the fact that Covid19 has changed the way we live, possibly forever. Make your home as functional and as restful as you can. You may find that you like it.

Senior to Senior: Physical Distancing

Are the days of hugs, handshakes, sports venues and busy city sidewalks over? Social distancing/physical distancing are the buzz words of the twenty-first century; what a difference they have made in the lives of people everywhere. You may not have realized it, but you were likely practicing a form of physical distancing long before it became mandated. Whether physical distancing is a personal decision or a mandated health decision is irrelevant now. It is what it is, and it is more important than ever to a see it as a “safety measure” instead of as an infringement on rights. The pandemic is not over, and it will likely get worse before it gets better. Your job is to look at the bright side and do your part. What is the difference between mandated physical distancing and “give me some space”? The difference is pretty much between “want to” and “have to.” There has to be a plus side, right? • I mean did you really enjoy jostling shoulder to shoulder when walking on a busy sidewalk? • Can you appreciate not having to dodge around people visiting or talking on their phones in the aisles of a grocery store? • Have you missed the harassment of being groped or propositioned when using public transportation, or when getting a drink at a bar? • Have you missed having to hold on to your backpack, or clutch your purse under your arm to avoid pickpockets? • Have you missed having to cradle your drink in both hands when weaving through foot traffic? Physical distancing doesn’t sound as drastic social distancing. After all, you can still “socialize” using phones and computers. A quick review: • Avoid crowded places and gatherings where it may be difficult to stay at least 6 feet away from others. • Wash your hands regularly • Wear a face covering • Stay home if you, or a member of your household, are ill or have tested positive. • Be respectful of others, especially the vulnerable people in your life. Enjoy your new found “personal space” and learn how to appreciate everything that is still beautiful in your life.

Senior to Senior: Armchair Travel

If you have traveled at all you know that the desire to study, explore, and see for yourself, never grows old. If you had to cancel vacation plans this year, or are sad because your retirement plans have been put on hold, it may be time to explore some new options. Travel is limited right now but the desire to see and appreciate our world is stronger than ever. Start planning your next trip right now. Planning the perfect vacation is half the fun, and you can still do that, but don’t limit yourself. Getting older puts a whole new spin on traveling, and it happened before the coronavirus came to call. We have all had to shift our ideals. Hiking through the Alps or bicycling through Europe may no longer be an option, but you can still drink in the beauty of it all. During uncertain times you may be wondering if you be able to revisit favorite places or take a real vacation again. Think positive thoughts, but in the meantime, let arm chair travel come to the rescue. Seriously, the only way to travel right now is from your living room. I’ve watch so many PBS Mysteries lately that driving on the “wrong” side had started to look quite normal. Pick a country. Immerse yourself. Learn how to speak a few words of the language, cook a meal (alright, order out from an ethnic restaurant), listen to native music, learn a folk dance, drink the wine, and appreciate the art. The internet age has made it possible to visit places that you thought you would never see. Armchair travel is a real thing; it is sharing another’s experiences by reading, hearing or viewing. Start by contacting a reference librarian to find books, movies, and documentaries about the country of your choice. Ask for help to access YouTube and other venues that can zoom you away to faraway places. I hate to use the phrase “time is running out.” but it could very well be. Explore this wonderful, exciting and beautiful world while you still can.

Senior to Senior: Share Your Space

Do you agree, or does it make you sad, when you read letters to advice columnists from people complaining that their in-laws are too intrusive? Even worse, what would you do if your spouse actually likes his/her parents and plans to have them live with you if/when the time comes? Are you reluctant to share your “space”? Having your own space used to be a big deal, but what about now? Are you one of those fussing because an in-law pops in unannounced, or have you started to recognize that loneliness can hit hard at any age? For years you may have thought that your immediate family and perhaps a few superficial friends were enough, but then the pandemic came along. No problem, you thought, at least at first, because you finally had the space you had been dreaming about. By now you may have noticed that “space” isn’t all it is cracked up to be. A drop in visit from a mother-in-law or an old friend would be lovely, and even the thought of a granny flat would be better than being alone. The pandemic is changing the way we are think about multigenerational inclusion. Just the thought that you might never see members of your own family again is almost unthinkable. Times have changed and multigenerational households could very well be the “new normal.” Children are attending classes from home, the jobless are banding together for support, and family is becoming important again. If you have spent too much time cultivating “your own space” you may find life quite challenging now. If nothing else the pandemic has taught us all that we need each other It may be time to allow lonely in-laws back into your life. Having someone nearby who loves you unconditionally, is willing to help you out no matter what, and is known to be virus free, can be priceless. Sharing the cost of housing, food, transportation, and other responsibilities can make a difference. You can make a difference.

Senior to Senior: The Reality of Getting Old

You spend the first twenty years of your life looking forward to getting older. The second twenty years , for the most part, are really good, although you may not appreciate them at the time. Then, all too soon the inevitable happens; you start to get old. You are not alone if the pandemic has speeded up your thought processes about all this. The years when you felt invincible have come and gone, and you have gotten older despite your efforts. Eighty is not the new 60. Like it or not, you are now one of the “vulnerable elderly” that other people talk about. Researchers who have studied aging had made some good points, but even if you followed all of the guidelines, “it” is still going to happen. Whether or not you are prepared for “it” is up to you. The years between 60 and 90 may be filled with exciting possibilities, but they can be fraught with physical and mental frailties. Deal with it: • Society could care less about you. No matter how successful you “were,” as you age you are just another “old” man or “old” woman. • You have to learn to live with a variety of ailments. Being healthy becomes a full-time job. • You will be paying for past indiscretions. Researchers talk a lot about “successful aging,” but the facts are in; the older you get, the more difficult life becomes. • The key is to learn how to cope with the changes that occur, while striving to remain the same person you have always been. • Leave nothing for later. Do everything you can, right now. • The best moments, the best experiences, the best friends, the best family, the best day, are today. • Stop whining, stop complaining, and do whatever it takes to make your life better. You have to experience aging to truly understand it; the only way you can avoid “getting old” is by checking out before you get there. Cosmetic surgery, tons of exercise, and a Mediterranean diet will make you look and feel better longer, but aging and other “natural disasters” are here to stay.

Senior to Senior: Cut Yourself Some Slack

People are often highly critical of themselves, and as a result their own worst enemies. It’s true of all of us; seniors are no exception. Old people remain proud and critical of themselves, and often to their own detriment. It makes their children, medical professionals, and social workers tear out their hair, but it is what it is. Age doesn’t protect you from yourself. Call it “stubbornness” or just plain “set in your ways,” but it boils down to the same thing. You expect the impossible of yourself. Accept that you get tired, and that you have more aches and pains than you used to. It is time to look for ways to make life easier instead of more difficult. Learning how to be kind to yourself is the first step. Being kind to others, as well as to yourself, is good for your health and wellbeing. The key, of course, is learning how to cut yourself some slack. You don’t have to be old to do this, but age is a lovely excuse. Stop feeling guilty if you need to slow down. No apologies necessary; others will recognize and understand this long before you do. It’s okay if you need to sit out one volunteer activity, do the laundry on Friday instead of Monday, or cancel a luncheon engagement. Be kind to yourself: • Don’t forget to take time for yourself; time to relax or to do something you really want to do. • Pat yourself on the back if you finish a chore or complete an assignment. • Let go of past wrongs and grievances. Forgive others and even more important, forgive yourself. • Accept your limitations. If you can’t jog anymore; try walking. If you can’t work full time; turn to part-time or pursue other interests. Stop trying to be perfect; perfection is not only unattainable but vastly overrated. Do what you can, and accept that it is good enough. You may never be as strong or as focused as you used to be, but you are still the same person, and a really great one at that.

Senior to Senior: Social Distancing and the Senior

Social distancing isn’t new. Seniors have been falling victim to social distancing for years. Scattered family members, busy lives, transportation problems, and the physical challenges of aging have all contributed to this sense of separation. You may think seniors isolate by choice, but it is often more a matter of circumstances. Researchers all seem to agree that isolating is detrimental to good health and well-being. Now, thanks to the pandemic, we are giving social distancing, in all of its forms, a great deal more thought. Something good may come out of this yet. Today, it isn’t only seniors who are in distress; entire support systems are discovering what isolation is all about. As outside contacts dwindle, it is apparent that communication is more important than ever. Even the most resistant seniors will soon be forced to reconsider; do they want to be totally alone or do they want to reconnect with their families? It is time for families and communities to figure out what they can do to make it easier to stay in touch. Most seniors, 70% I understand, have at least a passing acquaintance with one form of communication device or another. Now may be the time to improve on those statistics by gently introducing older family members to the world of digital technology. How can you do this? • Purchase the simplest devices that you can find. Avoid using “techy” words, write down directions, and have them practice, practice, practice. • Put together an easy to read list of contact numbers (friends, neighbors, family members, and professional acquaintances). • Expand cell phone usage to include FaceTime or Skype. Show them how seeing a friend’s face gives a sense of connection above and beyond a voice message. Social distancing? I don’t think so. This could truly be the time to get to know those who are important to you. Make it easy. Brief contacts over the course of a day; a quick call, text, picture or video chat to ask a question or share a funny story all serve as ways to stay connected in the best possible way.