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Grow Old With Me....
2/23/2004
Grow Old with Me... written by Lori J. Schmitt RN
Grow old with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made.
Robert Browning
It doesn’t matter if you are retired or perhaps just a novice senior citizen, you will find that there are and will continue to be major changes in your lifestyle. You may even come to realize that these next 50 years offers you opportunities that you have waited for all your life. You may have never thought about early retirement before, but today’s changing work environment has forced many experienced workers out of career opportunities that they so richly deserved. For many of our readers these years offer freedom to pursue interests unhampered by the demands of a job and its day to day responsibilities. There is no end to the creative options available. Think about it. Travel, meeting new friends, a cruise, going back to school and even gardening. We can offer our time, expertise and certainly our life experience to the younger generations.
There are however a fair amount of anxieties that accompany the aging process. Financial and personal security along with physical well being can prevent you from enjoying your retirement years. A good understanding of your changing lifestyle, opportunities, and potential physical problems (and what you can do about them) can lead to an increased piece of mind. You will eventually come to realize that problems become less of an issue if we educate ourselves on the many conditions we face, as we grow older.
As for health care, Cleveland is rich is health care professionals. Find a physician that addresses your concerns. Take charge of your health and get yearly check-ups. Become an educated consumer when it comes to new technologies and options in health care. Seek second opinions. Tune in to radio and television shows that offer health care information. Utilize the Internet to obtain current information on research development. Elbert Hubbard once said, “Health is a gift, but you have to work to keep it.”
So… all of you novice senior citizens out there, live these second fifty years to the fullest. Make a difference in these years that will inspire the under fifty group. Give them something to emulate. “ As for old age, embrace and love it. It abounds with pleasure if you know how to use it. The gradually declining years are among the sweetest in a man’s life, and I maintain that, even when they have reached the extreme limit, they have their pleasures still”
Seneca (3B.C. -65 A.D.)
Lori Schmitt is co-host of the Senior Connection show and is interested in your thoughts on growing old, contact her on the Internet @ ljschmitt@aol.com.
The Senior Connection
WERE 1300 AM radio