Aging Gracefully

There are physical and mental problems that all must deal with as senior men and women face common issues of chronic illness, depression, pain, and family strife. Many become victims of the dreaded downward spiral of dementia or Alzheimers Disease. Other of us are blessed with mental acuity and must choose the path we want to follow. We can make these the best years of our lives or become unhappy citizens, a burden to our families and to society.

While reading Christiane W. Griffin – Wehr’s book “Traveling in Place: A Journey into Memory Loss” we were visiting a friend at the Sunbridge Health Care facility in San Leandro. Thelma’s friend had recently broken her ankle and was recuperating while anticipating therapy for her injury. Today was the third time within a ten day period I was sitting in the lobby of the facility while Thelma spent time with her friend.

The lobby and front desk area was crowded with patients, their visitors, and a busy staff. Patients in walkers and wheelchairs longingly, edging toward the main door of the facility, were waiting for family members or perhaps an opportunity to escape. I was relaxed reading a book in an overstuffed chair nearby. I frequently glanced up to study my surroundings, noting the caring attention the health care workers gave to the wandering patients, often redirecting their attention and the direction of the path of their walkers.

I smiled at nearby patients with my crooked half smile hoping I was coming across as sensitive and warm. Suddenly, I became very aware of my unshaven face as I realized that as well meaning visitors were coming and leaving they were giving me that same “hello, how are you greeting and smile” the patients were getting.

Often aging can involve growth and transformation. We can revitalize our beliefs and our self image. We can take a positive attitude toward others in an effort to enrich the golden years. Growing old gracefully is an art, and I am not an artist. The content of Wehr’s book, the confused state of many of the patients, and the stage of my own care giving experience made me very sensitive to the fragile balance and amazing capabilities of our minds.

Richard R. Blake, Christian Education Consultant, Book Store Owner

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