The Elderly Population

The elderly play an important role in tribal cultures. They are the holders of wisdom and the keepers of the tribe’s memories. As such, the elderly are honoured and respected members of tribes. In many modern cultures, however, this is often not the case. Many elderly people say they feel disrespected, ignored and left out. This is a sad commentary on modernisation, but it doesn’t have to be this way. We can change this situation by taking the time to examine our attitudes about the elderly and taking action.

Modern societies tend to be obsessed with the ideas of youth, newness and progress. Scientific studies tell us how to do everything from the way we should raise our children to what we need to eat for breakfast. As a result, the wisdom that is passed down from older generations is often ignored and then forgotten. Of course, grandparents and retired persons have more than information to offer the world. Their maturity and experience allows for a larger perspective of life, and we can learn a lot from talking to elderly people. It’s a shame that society doesn’t do more to allow our older population to continue to feel productive for the rest of their lives, but you can help to make change. Perhaps you could help facilitate a mentorship program that would allow children to be tutored by the elderly in retirement homes. The elderly make wonderful storytellers, and creating programs where they could share their real life experiences with others is another way to educate and inspire other generations.

Think about how you don’t really listen to elderly people because you hold the belief that their time has passed and they are too old to understand what you are going through. Take stock of your relationships with the elderly population. You may even realise that you don’t have any relationships with older people. Try to understand why and how our cultural perception of the elderly influences the way you perceive them. Look around you and reach out to someone who is elderly even if you are just saying hello and making small talk. Resolve to be more aware of the elderly. They are our mentors, wise folk, and the pioneers that came before us and paved the way for our future.

If this has resonated with you in any way, please get in touch. hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk. Work with me, improve your confidence and see how much more you can achieve.

It is never too late to make changes in your life. Change can be subtle or, if you feel it is time, you can completely overhaul your life. Maybe you feel stuck or trapped in a life which isn’t bringing you the happiness you desire. You can change your story at any time.

Maggie Currie