Old age is inevitable. As long as we keep breathing, we keep ageing, and there is nothing anyone of us can do about it. In the United Kingdom, we currently have an ageing population. And for one of the first times in history, we all are about to witness the number of our senior generation officially surpass that of the youth, with those 65 and up making up 15.6% of the global population by 2050. I am sure many of us are surprised by this fact, I know I was, but the truth is thanks to the advancement in healthcare and standards of living, we are all living longer.
Now this is good news, or should be good news, but many of us seem to overlook the elderly unconsciously, and cast them off as unable or incapable to do much, like learn new skills, or be an asset to the society, which is so wrong, and so far from the truth. I know a grandma of over 65 who recently passed her driving test after losing her husband. I also know a senior citizen who is currently learning Spanish, now that he is in his seventies, because he always wanted to learn a new language, but never had the time until now. So it is very possible to learn new life skills and tricks at any age.
I am always happy to see companies addresing real issues like this, so you can imagine how happy I was to see Bathing Solutions speaking up about this issue. I am so proud to support and spread the word about Bathing Solutions Breaking Barriers Campaign. I think it is about time we break the barriers against the elderly. It is 2016 for crying out loud, times are changing, people are changing. It is about time to support and encourage the elderly in our communities and make them feel empowered and feel like the true assets they are.
Examples of new life skills the elderly can learn are:
Blogging
Knitting
Cooking
Learning a New Language
Learning to Take Good Photos
The list of life skills over 65s could learn can go on and on. The point I am trying to make is, it is never too late for the senior citizens to learn something new, the elderly among us need our support to remain active and take that leap.It is important we celebrate the senior citizens because we shall all get there someday.
What are your thoughts on this issue?
*This is a collaborative post.
This is a beautiful post. I agree with you that it is never too late to learn cos you are as old as you feel. Very encouraging post. I love your blog – you always touch on pertinent topics. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you like it Osime.
I agree – you’re never too old to learn something new, thanks for sharing x
Thanks for reading Stephanie xo
A great post and really puts the phrase “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” to shame! My Grandad, before he passed, we taught him how to use a laptop, an iPad, wifi etc at the age of 85
Thanks Kaye…
Speaking as an oldie (60) I agree that life skills both new and old are a good way of keeping mind and body healthy.
I wish some young ‘uns wouldn’t think of us as being a bit twp..We may be, where Pokemon GO is concerned but not with our vast experience of life!
Yea I agree too.
Being 1 of the millions of the baby boomers born in the 60’s I wasn’t surprised, as whilst in my 50’s I am regularly reminded I am now a “Saga club member” age bracket! Physically yes. Spiritually/emotionally I will always be Bob Dylan “Forever Young” which having already planned our pre pay funerals I one of the songs for it. Though I am not planning it. I am planing to be driving my adult youngsters up the wall wondering what I am up to next way into my 80’s.
The generation I was born into is has been psychology we are the most messed up generation head wise there has ever been has we were born Mack bang in the middle of all the change.
Our parents were of a generation you didn’t question, you didn’t play up, you just did and they didn’t know what to do with us.
So when we had children there were a lot of mixed messages because we had our own rules plus the ruled out parents tried to put on us we bulked against.
It was also a weird time cos we had nothing of what we do today. Thinking of how life hs changed so much is a head f*ck I can tell you.
Thinking of life with out internet mobiles sky and so on ad infinitum I crazy when you have grown up with out it.
So yes I also think us baby boomers will become senior boomers won’t stand for being treated like 2nd class citizens either as we have got older in a different world to what our parents did.
We have more than our parents too, we have travelled, women have careers, drive today which wasn’t common then and so on, we wont grow older in the way our parents did.
The baby boomers of the 50/60’s will kick backside and rock
Yea I agree..I guess it is a generation thing.
I’d love if my nan had a hobby but she just sits indoors doing nothing. Maybe I’ll teach her how to blog!
Yea you could..Anything to keep her busy.
My grandad was awesome at finding new hobbies to combat any boredom. It turned out he was an amazing artist which kept him busy for many years.I have no doubt he’d have tried blogging if he was still around. He was up for anything new. I loved seeing how energetic and vibrant the oldies were in Florida, they really are an inspiration and that’s what I’m aiming for.
That is inspiring..
My husband works for the OU. He’s a lecturer and teaches mostly History subjects and he’s had a lot of elderly-retired students. And their backgrounds are so interesting too! One was an 88-year-old who was a Wing commander in the second World War! The other was a retired barrister and doctor 🙂 Just shows, your never too old too learn or try-out new things 😉
Yea we are never too old to learn..
When I was at collage I noticed a lot of the older generation taking up learning new skills once they hit retirement and it warmed my heart. The figures are a bit of a shock though, didn’t expect that.
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
Yea I was shocked as well..
This is so lovely! I hate it when elderly people are written off and they are treated like they can’t learn or do anything. If anything they have a ton of time to learn new things and they should definitely do that during retirement! keeping the mind active helps to keep it healthy!
Yea me too..
Well said, a dear friend of mine is a fifty something grandma and a stylish fashion blogger. She looks fantastic and has never felt better!
WOW nice..
Great post, I know I plan to cook more when i get older and have more time too. I may even get a cookbook written 😉
Ah sounds nice.
my parents are over 65 and they don’t let that stop them. Especially my mum she embraces everything new to the world, has an iPhone and is on FB. She would never let her age be a reason for anything!
My mum is on Facebook too and she is over 60!
Gosh I am loving the grandma who passed her driving test. Why not eh? My parents embrace life and don’t let things stop them, in fact they are more in tune with new technology and music than me I have to say! x
Ah nice..I like that.
My mum is almost 65 and she doesn’t feel old. She has been learning new things since retirement which keeps her ever busy. I believe older people can do more after retirement. Especially more in chasing their dreams and passions they were never able to pursue whilst working full-time. Thank you for sharing this article – very inspirational indeed.
Yea I agree. Thanks for reading Esther.
This is a wonderful post – I hate the attitude towards elderly people in this country x
Yea me too..
Hi,
This was really inspirational.
I’m a teacher of Spanish to older retired British ex-patriates in Spain and my motto is ” Never too old!” And it is so true…
There is so much research going on at the moment about how learning a new language is so, but SO beneficial for the brain, to ward off Dementia and Alzeimer’s Disease.
And also it is much more communicative than sitting alone to do crosswords and Sodokus!
Let’s get our senior citizens out there chatting to others , wherever they’re from, and keep those brain cells moving!
Thanks for a great article.
Regards. Marie.
Thanks for reading Marie.
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