As we
age we encounter many different life stages. In August, I mentioned three stages
when planning your retirement described by George H. Schofield, Ph.D.: New
Freedom, New Horizons, and New Simplicity.
But
there is another stage many of us will reach that isn’t as appealing. A time when
the mind may be willing but the body isn’t; and your world seems to shrink and
your options appear to evaporate. This stage can seem so scary, we often ignore
it and avoid preparing for that time when we must make some very difficult
decisions.
In an
article for Next Avenue, Debbie
Reslock urges us to understand what we fear so we can take responsibility for
our lives and discover options that alleviate those fears, so we can make decisions
that create a future we can accept and enjoy. And to do it before someone else
makes those decisions for us.
There
are three aging decisions she thinks we should start considering.
Continue
to drive or hang up the keys? Most of us fear the day we can no longer drive. Ever
since we were young, the car was a sign of our independence: our ability to be
in control of our lives. We don’t want to lose that independence and become a
burden for someone else.
Stay
in your home or move? Your home may now be more than you can handle, but it is
familiar and full of memories. Do you modify your home, move into an accessible
apartment, a retirement or assisted living community or move near your children?
Continue
caring for yourself or ask for help? Struggling with daily life on your own not
only presents challenges as we age but can contribute to depression and
isolation. But no longer being self-reliant is hard to accept.
These
are difficult decisions and the answers are unique for each individual. But it
is not too early to be proactive. Start imaging your future life while
understanding all the options and consequences, so if you do have to give
something up, you can do it on your own terms. Because the ultimate loss of
independence is when others, often well-intentioned, start making decisions for
you.
Now
that the elevator is running up and down, we have started straightening up
around the Center and have found there is stuff that the Center really doesn’t
need or have room to store. So, on Saturday, October 14th from 9:00
– 1:00, there will be a “house cleaning” sale downstairs that will include file
cabinets, bookcases, motorized scooters (without batteries), lift chair, and miscellaneous
odds and ends.
The next AARP Smart Driver Course will be
held at the Center on October 16 and 17 from 8:45 am to 12:05 pm on both days. The
cost is $20 and $15 for AARP Members. Call the Center at 541-296-4788 to
sign-up. And at the class, you can enroll in a free 20-minute CarFit Safety event
that will follow the class.
The
title of the instrumental recording composed by David Rose that reached #1 in
1962 (and whenever you hear it you want to start gyrating and throwing your
clothes off!) is “The Stripper”. (I received correct answers from Jim Ayres, Diana
Weston and this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket, Marcia Lacock.)
I
have a faint memory of wanting to watch this television show so I could hear
the week’s most popular songs – although I was always disappointed when the
original artists didn’t perform. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what
was the name of the television show that aired on NBC from 1950 – 1959, sponsored
by Lucky Strikes, and featured versions of the top songs in America. Email your
answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or drop
it off with a group picture of Snooky Lanson, Russell Arms, Dorothy Collins, and
Gisèle MacKenzie.
Well,
it’s been another week, wishing and hoping. Until we meet again, don’t let
doubt keep you from living.
“What
you eat today walks and talks tomorrow.” Esther Blumenfeld
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