Every day we are bombarded with products to help us “stay young.” The media makes it very clear that if you are a senior, your life is over, you’re not desirable and you have nothing left to contribute. We are dismissed because of our age.
I can tell you that our almost 1,000 senior citizens living in Northfield are not sitting around, twiddling their thumbs, complaining about aches and pains and letting life pass them by. We are aging differently than our elders because our health is better and we’ve figured out that there is still so much more to experience. We are living very active and engaged lives.
Jack Benny always said he was 39, and we laughed. But, did he say that because he was making fun of the anti-aging message of the media, or did he feel 39? Recently a young person told me that when she hears people marveling at something a senior is doing because this is not the image held about the age of the individual, she responds “this is what (fill in an age) looks like for this person.” Stereotypes never work for anyone at any age.
The Senior Center has a monthly program with a kindergarten class at Northfield Elementary School. Just the other day, a first grader told me she missed kindergarten. When I asked why, she said that she missed her seniors. What an endorsement for relationships! I recently read a great quotation: “I’ve learned….that the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.” There is much wisdom to pass on; many seniors are caring for, and even guardians of their grandchildren. They are there for them and relating to them every day and continuing to support their own children.
A resource officer builds relationships and trust. What makes someone a good fit or not for a position has everything to do with their qualifications and nothing to do with their age. When was the last time you sat and had a real conversation with someone over the age of 60?
Heather Tower
Northfield Senior Center director