Are you not worried of getting Old?
By zandi458
@zandi458 (28102)
Malaysia
June 7, 2011 9:38am CST
The record in my birth registry indicate that I have reached middle-age. I am worried not because of getting old as we can't escape this stage in life. I worried because once we hit 50, our body immunity start to decline and old age diseases start to lick on our aging body. I worry about getting sick but what really worry me is about losing my mind. Are our brains on an inevitable downward slide? The glaring sign of aging is probably talking of the past repetitively. As I reached my middle age I thought that this, sadly, was the case.
Over the years, we've been trained to think that the body and the brain age in tandem. Certainly bodily changes are undeniable. Despite my best efforts of doing some stretches and regular jogs, I'm 10Ib heavier than I ever was before. Sad but true, I have to be contented with wearing triplex X to conceal the ugliness of the protruding fats that keep padding on the wrong parts of my body. 
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I now need glasses that correct for three different distances - reading, driving and writing on computer. It is not hard to imagine our brain cells drying up or disappearing altogether, too.
Certainly, people age differently. It is not surprising to see many aged people are sharper then most younger adults. As we grow older, we not only have more years of experience, but the brain cells devoted to navigating the human landscapes turn out to be exceptionally durable. In many cases older people are brainier! So what is that you fear most when it comes to getting old?
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I now need glasses that correct for three different distances - reading, driving and writing on computer. It is not hard to imagine our brain cells drying up or disappearing altogether, too.
Certainly, people age differently. It is not surprising to see many aged people are sharper then most younger adults. As we grow older, we not only have more years of experience, but the brain cells devoted to navigating the human landscapes turn out to be exceptionally durable. In many cases older people are brainier! So what is that you fear most when it comes to getting old?11 people like this
41 responses
@Amberstormraven (15)
• South Africa
9 Jun 11
I think it's not the fear of old age but the fear that people will see us as useless. I do agree that older people are brainier, probably comes with being around that long.
I am almost 40 and have a daughter of 20, who refuses to let me go out with her because I do not look my age. We get the "are you sisters" comment atleast once a day and some of her friends actually asked her if they could date her sister (which she doesn't have).
I also became a grandmother, compliments of my 19 year old son. Now that was scary, how do I explain to this little thing the reason why I'm not grey and wrinkly???
The phrase "you are just as old as you feel" comes in handy enough, so think possitive. The outside might be going but the inside is never giving up!!!!!
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
11 Jun 11
You are lucky to still maintain your youthfulness and being mistaken of a sister instead of a mother! I can visualize you smiling from ear to ear when you get compliments to liken you as a sister to your daughter! At my age, passed 50, I still feel young at heart but of course the hourglass body shape can never be maintained anymore.
@jdyrj777 (6530)
• United States
8 Jun 11
Not worried. Im actually confused as to when old age is supposed to begin. Seeing that some people reach the age of 100+ i would guess 50 to be about the middle. Of coarse when i was younger i thought 50 was old but now that i have reached and passed that age i see its not that old at all. I have met people in their 80's going skiing.
1 person likes this
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
8 Jun 11
"take kind the counsel of the years.. gracefully surrendering the things of youth"
I was having this discussion with my husband..he says i wonder what will happen if we rich our ripe ages of 50s to 60s..and i said i am not sure if i am ready for that right now, there are still so many things left undone..but i remembered that line i stated above that is from "desiderata" and i guess maybe if he will ask me when i am in the 30s i might give him an answer..but for now, i am unsure what i will say..but a part of me is not yet ready to embrace that... and i am also concerned of issues like dementia and alzheimer..
1 person likes this
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
9 Jun 11
Hello my friend zandi458 Ji,
Seeing you after lot of gap. Let me tell yuou, first time some children called me gtrand-mother, I thought I turned old. Turning old is a natural process and everyone has to undergo this process. What is alarming me to remind you, when I was crossing your age siome 16-17 years back, I never worried about difficiency inncalcium in my body and suffered later on. So forget abnout the resty, consult your gynic first and take some extra calxcium to compensate changes taking place as a woman. Rest you need not worry nature will take care. Every women hjas different requirement at the close of cycle. Be careful, unlike me, as no one suggested me ever and i suffered with RA/HTN/DM2/UTI permanently crippled my bones.Thanks.
May God bless You and have a great time.
1 person likes this
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
15 Jun 11
Hello my friend zandi458 Ji,
So nice of you for your immediate and prompt positive comments. It is really good that you take milk on daily basis, but I would again advise you to take same one glass of milk at the time of going to bed at night. Next are you getting pure milk, it means do you get direct from Cow/buffalow in front of you. So long I remain at my own hoiuse, I bring milk which is taken out in front of me, but when I am away, I just doo not take milk from packetys supplied. Before I say something, I again advise you to take gynic advise as per your healh and body condition to supplement calcium. Every Lady has hjer own health condition depending on many factors. I suffered and becvam chronic patient of RA. You are very young, just crossed 50 yrs. Please take it seriously from this old Lady who is 66 yrs now. Take care. Hope to carry on meeting. Wishing you seasons greetings. Thanks.
May God bless You and have a great time.
@srjac0902 (1169)
• Italy
9 Jun 11
Many say we do not know how will be our old age but now let us live fully. Some say as you live today so will be your old age!! Yes when we observe that the body tends towards decline but yet for the one who lives fully her life that is weaved by values very humanitarian and integral, yet avoiding to be fanatic, rather by being fully human and motherly, then the light radiates above and the presence itself commands respect. The sickness may continue to haunt the old age but the spirit will drag the body gently to cooperate and go ahead in spite of sickness or deteriorating conditions of health. If one lives a value oriented life with a very humanitarian way then she is able to overcome even the severe middle age crisis. This is not a theory without practical life. Yes it is not to argue whether a supernatural reality exists. But the one who live in harmony with body and spirit can face the declination of the body with serenity.
1 person likes this
@srjac0902 (1169)
• Italy
11 Jun 11
Yes friend you are right. If from the age of full awareness of the self if we have learned to cope up with serenity and fortitude the journey to the next phase will be welcomed with all serenity
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
14 Jun 11
not really. it is a part of life. everyone gets old. i just try to take care of myself by eating healthy, exercising, and using the right products. i look young for my age. so, i guess, i am happy with the way i look.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47317)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
19 Jun 11
For one reason or another, I can't say that it's something that really worries me. Granted, it is something that I have thought about. It is true that I am only in my early twenties, but I do realize that getting older is something that we all have to face. It's not something that I really like, but the fact is that I am enjoying every moment that I can now, before it's too late.
1 person likes this
@alottodo (3056)
• Australia
8 Jun 11
I always though I was never going to be old until I was 70...now I Am 66 and oh boy! Am I struggling? yes I have to admit it! it's not what it used to be! and it really put me off I Am used to be active but now I can see my self slowing down and I don't like it a bit! I Am lucky because I Am healthy my only trouble is my arthritis on my back so that slows me down. My main concern about getting older is to loose my mind [ going senile] that would be devastating, as I like to read, my PC, my friends, my family, my life!...if one day I can't walk at least I would like to have a clear mind to continue to interact with my fellow beings! At the end of the day I Am not afraid to grow old...that process started the day I was born.
1 person likes this
@alottodo (3056)
• Australia
9 Jun 11
Good on your mum! it's so good to see how older people take to new technology without batting a lid! I do admire them. My mum passed away at 83 and she got to know and enjoy new technology she was so thrilled by it...I have to say she never showed signs of senility she used to read every day and enjoyed her cooking very much...so I hope I can be that lucky and inherit her good genes!
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
8 Jun 11
Hi Zandi, glad to see you are here again. I hope you will enjoy being old since my parents always said being old is good. It means that you had gained lots of life experiences that worth to be sharing with the younger generation. Although i haven't reach your age level, but i do feel fear with my health since i easily gets migraine recently. I saw my grandmother who is coming soon 90 years old, still have a very sharp brain and she can still recall and told us about her younger age story. Even she seldom wear glasses when she reads except writing and sewing. Seems like, the only formula is eating right and gets as much exercise, so we can remain healthy and alert.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
8 Jun 11
I am of course worried of getting old, because i know without proper care our body will start deteriorating as well as our brain too.
In this regard, i am frantic in keeping my body healthy, by eating lots of fruits and vegetables, fish and less lean meat. In addition i take lots of vitamin supplements, and try to sleep at least 7 hours at night. Also, i see to it that i exercise every other day for at least an hour. I read a lot too, to keep my brain working well.
However, i don't worry growing old, because i have my husband to grow old with and our daughter who can take care of us in our old age.
In this regard, i am frantic in keeping my body healthy, by eating lots of fruits and vegetables, fish and less lean meat. In addition i take lots of vitamin supplements, and try to sleep at least 7 hours at night. Also, i see to it that i exercise every other day for at least an hour. I read a lot too, to keep my brain working well.
However, i don't worry growing old, because i have my husband to grow old with and our daughter who can take care of us in our old age.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
9 Jun 11
I think we are all worried getting old without people caring for us. I can imagine being old and alone will only hasten our demise. This is something I hope doesn't happen to me. But it is unlikely, I have invested my time and efforts in my children so I expect the payback time comes in when I am old and fragile. 
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
9 Jun 11
Just pray that when your kids grow up and gets married, they will still get you to stay with them .
@didi13 (2926)
• Romania
20 Jun 11
Minutes, hours, days, years ... go. Flowers in vase wilt thoughts mature, become wiser decisions. The dog that you have the older child and him you're with time. The walls are bare, more severe loneliness. Collection of cups is dusty and forgotten books from the library. The look is warmer, but more tired than before ... hand shaking when to grab cup of coffee. Remember that once you were a child sometimes and smile. It is the smile of childhood that often you want to relive. You can read the eye wear you miss those times. Look around and there's almost nothing. Look to the nightstand and sees the picture your parents whom you loved so much. You miss people ... and it meant for you. But time has erased almost everything ... the roads apart, destroyed memories. Have you stayed on the window and waiting for someone to knock on the door ... It's rare, but sweetens your old age. Look at the soul and finds that only he remained young. What is old age anyway?
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
21 Jun 11
"What is age anyway?" Many say 'age is only a number' As the years goes by we age, wrinkles map our faces, our hair turn silver white and the years of use and abuse our bodies turn to the alphabet 'C'. We are aging! We are counting the years, months and days to go to our forwarding address to rest in peace.
@floiecometa (156)
•
16 Jun 11
Getting old is reality in life. Am 56 now and I know that I am getting older day after day and I am grateful of the years that past. At my age, I have lots of hope. I am still working and wanting to develop more. I explore the digital world through blogging and in fact I am planning to go for internet marketing. Want to know me more lwissionaries at g mail
1 person likes this
@angelcrizah (33)
•
22 Jun 11
Yes, I'am.. Why? because every time we get old we forgot things, we can't do things and last we can't eat whatever we want...
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10874)
•
8 Jun 11
I think that after 50, I started worrying about getting older as I could feel that I was getting more and aches and pains. That was some time ago now, I yes there are more aches and pains than I used to have, but I have grown more philosophical about it. I have practiced meditition for the past 30 years or so and I guess this helps me to deal with the innevitable ageing process that brings its problems. We are not here forever, is something that is on my mind these days, where it wasn't there very much at all before. Makes me wonder what all the fuss was about "making it" in life.. It's just temporary! 
_Derek
_Derek1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
9 Jun 11
The mad rush to make it in this competitive world has created emptiness in many peoples life. They have forgotten the essence of living as they are driven by greed and power. Many don't realize that there is no permanency in life and everything that is accumulated will only be enjoyed by those they leave behind once they leave their earthly existence. Turning fifty doesn't mean a person is old but of course one is no longer a spring chicken as the years of wear and tear will result in aches and pains.
@makatas (1098)
• Greece
8 Jun 11
I am very far from the age you refer to. At 28, I am not considered all whatsoever. There is however a catch...
I am 28 years old and have never managed to work in my life. Due to health issues and delays, I finished university too late. By that time, the financial crisis and the rise in unemployment have kicked in, and I cannot find a job. Not at all.
So, even for me, a youngster still, I do feel this worry. Because if at 28 I do not have a job, I cannot imagine me with a family, able to support my wife and kids.
And of course, if any kind of illnesses shows up, I doubt I will manage to treat them properly, without the proper financials.
I think I got a bit off subject though. What I can say about you is that seeing the happy side of life after 50 is crucial. Do not stop dealing with as many things as you can at same time. Do not let your brain deteriorate by just watching TV and doing nothing creative. Do not stress yourself too much, have fun.
And finally, try not to worry about getting old, because you are far from old, still.
Have a nice day and take care of yourself and worries will go away!
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
9 Jun 11
You have great pacifying words for people who are no longer young in the real sense of the word. I am a happy go lucky woman who doesn't surrender easily to my age. I believe I have many more fruitful years ahead of me and am looking forward to see the world wherever my two feet can carry me. Yes, looking at your age, you definitely have ample time to break into the employment world since you are fully equipped with papers that speak for your strong points. Good luck to you. 
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
11 Jun 11
hi zandi as you may know I am in a retirement center and ha ve a roommate with Alzheimer disease. I as the brainy one have to be her memory a lot of times. I have worked all my adult life to keep my mental facilities going full tilt. so far at 84 I am mylotting a lot, I actually led the whole pack of mylotters, I use my computer a lot
and I enjoy life on my lot. I am not senile and hope I never get that way. A brain used stays much keener than one let go to seed.Like anything else in our body it will atrophy if its not used a lot and
kept in good working order.
disease. I as the brainy one have to be her memory a lot of times. I have worked all my adult life to keep my mental facilities going full tilt. so far at 84 I am mylotting a lot, I actually led the whole pack of mylotters, I use my computer a lot
and I enjoy life on my lot. I am not senile and hope I never get that way. A brain used stays much keener than one let go to seed.Like anything else in our body it will atrophy if its not used a lot and
kept in good working order.1 person likes this
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
11 Jun 11
I just turn 29 and I am not looking forward getting forward to getting older! I few Alzheimer's,which my mom had! I have found out life just gets harder and harder as we get older! I am morbidly obese and it is so much easier to put on weight then to lose it! I lsee active then I would like! I worry about retirement! I worry I will have to work to the day I die! I hope I have money to survive then when I am old but who knows? Getting older is not fun!
1 person likes this
@shattered (1728)
• Philippines
9 Jun 11
I don't fear old age, as you said, it is something we cannot escape. Unless of course you are Jack Sparrow!
But you are right, the weakening of the immune system is a concern. We can take vitamins and other supplements to help but they can only boost our immune system not make them the way they were when we were young.
Remember the days when you felt invincible? I remember them when I see my child playing without a care in the world. After they cry it out they are OK again!
Not applicable to me anymore!
I guess as we get older we feel less and less invincible right?
Not applicable to me anymore!
I guess as we get older we feel less and less invincible right?1 person likes this
@surekharathi (14146)
• India
8 Jun 11
Hmmmmm friend you are worried about old but I am not worry because I know now life is short. Under 50 I will die because lots of people die under the age of 50 to 60 so why worry and I know everything is in the hand of God so all thing is left on the God's decision and wish. But yes I worried about my illness because if God call me I am agree but God remains me here with illness then I will worry. Nice discussion.
1 person likes this
