Anyone who gradually grows older and reaches the age of sixty often notices from the attitude of others that he or she is no longer seen as a full person. That is very annoying and not correct. After all, as the years go by, people do not become dumber and not everyone suffers from memory loss. Older people actually have more life experience and that is often priceless. It is therefore not right to treat older people as if they cannot count to ten. Yet one often notices that condescending attitude. Even with doctors and business people. However, older people now also have the internet and can look up all kinds of things. Many elderly people are therefore aware of the latest developments. This is not always well appreciated by younger people.
Appreciation and respect for the elderly
In many African and Asian countries, older people are valued and cherished. They are asked for advice if there are problems and their stories are listened to. In those countries, older people often continue to live within the family circle and are respected and appreciated for their efforts and the social value they have for their children, grandchildren and the social community.
Anyone over the age of sixty-five is often written off immediately
Here in the Netherlands it sometimes seems the opposite. Older people, especially those who are retired and no longer have a job, are sometimes treated as if they are just a nuisance. Even politicians are participating. Stories are also circulating within politics that the elderly cost too much in healthcare, the elderly are rich and can pay a little more (which certainly does not apply to every elderly person) and no one has to take them seriously, because they are outdated. .
Demented or simply forgetful
In addition, older people often forget something. However, everyone forgets something sometimes. Many younger people also sometimes forget where they have stored a certain document. Sometimes they forget an appointment or a message. That is very normal, especially when people are very busy with a job, family and social life. No problem, you might think. However, if an elderly person forgets something here and there, this quickly leads to forgetfulness or even dementia.
Older people have life experience
Older people have accepted society’s condescending attitude for too long. Every older person must ensure that he or she is valued. Elderly people deserve respect. Just because of the life experience they have gained over the years. Moreover, the old knowledge, acquired in schools in an earlier time, is not worthless. Today’s society is built on the knowledge of the past. So who says that this knowledge is incorrect? Of course, an insight here and there changes, but that does not mean that all old science is worthless. On the contrary. Much of modern professional knowledge has its origins in earlier times.
General practitioner and specialist
The most annoying thing is when even your GP and/or specialist treats you as if you are no longer up to date. Be alert to that yourself. Let your doctor know that your brain is still working well. Once a diagnosis has been made, find out for yourself on the Internet on a competent hospital page what the consequences are. Talk to your doctor about the problem and the solutions, and then decide together what is best.
Don’t let yourself be pushed into a certain corner right away
Older people have already been portrayed as diabetic who are not actually diabetic, but simply had elevated blood sugar levels. This could also be due to a day of eating out or a little more stress than usual. It is a fact that in the elderly all functions can fail, but this does not necessarily have to be permanent. Taking one more test to be sure is not entirely illogical. It is not always necessary to give medication immediately.
Buy new equipment and use it wisely
New electronic equipment often has a lot of bells and whistles, half of which you usually don’t need. If you absolutely need to purchase a new TV, mobile phone, iPad or electrical kitchen appliance, search the internet in advance for the options and functions. Let others guess, but don’t let others tell you what you need at your age. Decide for yourself which functions you expect and want to use from the device. That way you are not limited in what you want. Also ask questions in the store about the device you are purchasing and, for expensive devices, always bring someone with you who knows something about it.
Don’t make things too easy for yourself
Make sure you read the instruction manuals of new equipment carefully. The operation of the devices is usually clearly described there. Read the instruction booklet a few times and use the device often in the beginning so that you quickly get used to it. This is often difficult with a new TV, because the instruction booklets can only be downloaded via the internet.
Without a computer you often have a problem
Almost all information can be retrieved via computer and the internet. So make use of that too. Those who don’t have a computer often have a problem. When purchasing a new device that does not come with a manual, have someone else print out the information that is important to you. Usually just the diagram with the explanation of the control buttons is sufficient to get to grips with it. However, don’t leave everything to someone else, but try to figure it out yourself. Having your own laptop and/or tablet or smartphone is very useful.
Make the decisions yourself as an older person
Older people are often persuaded to sell their house and move into assisted living or a care facility. Sometimes this is justified, such as in people who really have dementia or become depressed, but often not. A proverb says: old trees should not be transplanted, and that is true. Elderly people are often attached to their home and its surroundings. The elderly often deteriorate when they enter a care institution, where they have little or nothing to do.
Keeping moving means staying young
Elderly people who still have a house and often a garden to care for are more busy and on the move. For that reason alone, they often live longer than people in a care institution. It cannot always be avoided, but it is not always necessary either. Take advice here too, but always decide for yourself what you want to do. After all, it is your life and not that of the children, the doctor or the social worker. In addition, assistance for the elderly can also be provided in your own home. Ask about that too. As people get older, they will have less and less energy to do daily things, but there are plenty of solutions for this.
Keeping up is necessary
Make sure you keep up with the times. Read the newspaper, follow the news, be informed of innovations in equipment, society, healthcare, and so on. Also keep track of all changes and additions to your family members. Show that you are interested in them and ask about their work, their studies and their relationships. Anyone who is no longer up to date can quickly stop participating at parties, birthdays and when visitors come and fall silent. Anyone who stays up-to-date as an older person can also join in the discussion and will automatically be seen as a full-fledged person and involved in a conversation.
Those who are old have to take better care of themselves
All this does not mean that you will still be as strong in old age as you were in your twenties. As seniors, you must use your common sense and take extra measures for your own safety and possibly that of your partner. After all, you cannot defend yourself as well as a young person and a criminal knows that too. So: don’t open the front door in the evening if you don’t know whether you know the person who rang the bell. Close the curtains at dusk so that no one can look inside. Always lock the back door when it gets dark, or if you want to go upstairs during the day. Don’t let strangers in during the day either.
Nutrition is especially important at an older age
An aging body often absorbs less from food, which can sometimes lead to deficiencies in certain minerals and vitamins. Nutritional supplements are often a good addition to meals. This does not always have to involve bottles of pills.
Nuts as a dietary supplement
Take nuts for example. Nuts are healthy and definitely suitable as a nutritional supplement. Walnuts, for example, are good for brain maintenance. It is a well-known fact that eating a few walnuts every now and then is good for brain activity. Walnuts can be eaten as is, but can also be chopped in a salad.
Eating variety means a lot
A healthy and varied diet helps you grow old as healthily as possible. This is different for everyone, because everyone’s body has its own qualities and defects, but by paying careful attention to a healthy diet you can maintain the quality of your life, and especially of your brain, for as long as possible.
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