~ Jean Janki Samaroo
On October 1st which is tomorrow, Seniors are being celebrated in Canada and internationally as well. In Canada, it’s called National Seniors Day. October 1st is also designated by the UN as the International Day of Older Persons. I’m sure many Seniors don’t even know about it. Seniors tend to be seen as a “dying breed.” We all know what happened in long-term care homes during this COVID-19 time. Many Seniors succumbed to the virus. We older persons as a whole have to be very cautious and extra careful these days as the Coronavirus is still very much here.
Most Seniors are portrayed as frail, wrinkled, dementia-ridden and bordering on useless. This does happen later in people’s senior years. Energy and strength ebb. Some people at that time have to go to Nursing Homes and facilities where they can have round-the-clock care. While their bodies are becoming frailer, their spirit and inner awareness could be very strong or becoming stronger.
While some of this may be true of some Seniors, it isn’t true of all. The designated Senior years (receiving pension) are from 65 years of age and upwards. People are living longer these days due to better health care, diet, exercise, and their own self-care and engagement in life.
For this National Seniors Day Post, it gives me great joy to share and show that other Senior Citizens are doing different and interesting things. My friend, Merlyne, went to a destination wedding in the Dominican Republic for a nephew’s wedding before the Coronavirus. The whole family were staying in a big resort where the wedding took place. This was in Punta Cana.
Her sons, their spouses and little ones were there. From what she’s told me, they were preoccupied with other activities. She decided to join a one-day trip to “Swim with the Dolphins” somewhere far away from the resort. I don’t think that for one moment she ever thought that she was too old to go. Every time she tells me about it, her face lights up and I can tell that was the highlight of her visit to the Dominican Republic.
It’s good for those of us who are Seniors and those who don’t understand this stage of life to have perspectives that are realistic and true. Not all Seniors are retired at 65. Some work well into their seventies because they enjoy working and are in good health to keep doing so. On the other hand, some Seniors are burnt-out or sick long before they reach their Senior years. Many older people die earlier in their Senior years without receiving any pension or living to do the things they might have liked to.
It’s wonderful to see Seniors like my friend, Merlyne, who don’t sit around and wait for others in order to do things and enjoy life. Many Seniors travel, take courses, teach, volunteer, do Consulting – in fact, many make new strides or find new careers after a lifetime of working at one or several different jobs. Some are involved in more serious activities and others yet choose playful, fun pastimes. No one way is right or wrong. It depends on all the factors that are important at any other stage of life.
Just like any other stage of life, we’re not all at the same place at the same time. It’s good that there’s recognition of Seniors by different groups and organizations. On the website for Canadian National Seniors Day, you will be able to find out more if you are interested. CARP also has lots of information on their website. There’s an online event taking place tomorrow too at which our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, will give a Welcome message.
For information on the United Nations International Day of Older Persons, please check their website out too. According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, “The world marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons as we reckon with the disproportionate and severe impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought on older persons around the world – not only on their health, but on their rights and well-being.”
My perspectives here may not be in accordance wholly with those of these groups mentioned but I feel they are worth sharing. Between the ages of sixty-five to one hundred years, there are 35 years. Most older persons want to be healthy, happy, and be able to take care of themselves during whatever years they happen to live. Happy National Seniors Day to those in Canada and Happy International Day of Older Persons to the rest of us.
YEARS MAY WRINKLE THE SKIN, BUT TO GIVE UP ENTHUSIASM WRINKLES THE SOUL. ~ Samuel Ullman
