Is Patience a problem of the elderly?
@CRK109 (14556)
United States
April 20, 2017 2:14pm CST
I've always been pretty good at having patience. And I remember my mother, as she was in her 80s and 90s, having NONE! One day while we were at CVS, she began cutting people in the line because she could not wait one more second to get her prescriptions and go back home! She wasn't even 5 feet tall and while some people would let her get away with that, I would remind her that other people should be allowed to have their place in line, too!
Well, I'm not in my 80s, but I'm finding that, while patience is a virtue, I'm losing mine I suddenly want everything to happen immediately, and if it doesn't, I can very easily go into a panic attack. And I don't know why? Is it the whole "getting older" thing? Is it because I'm alone so much?
Whatever is causing it, I'm very aware of it, I don't like it, and I really don't know how, or even if I can change it. But I don't want to be one of those people who drives others crazy because I've suddenly lost my patience and things aren't happening as I want them to. I'm second guessing myself in a lot of things right now because of this, and backing off of situations.
Any thoughts on this? Not just about me but patience in general. Thanks!
Claudia
18 people like this
21 responses
@allknowing (137597)
• India
21 Apr 17
Losing patience has all to do with one's health
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
21 Apr 17
I don't think patience has anything to do with age...more with personality - I have no patience, never did even as a kid.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
21 Apr 17
@CRK109 I have not changed. I'm still patience-less!
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
21 Apr 17
That's something to ponder. Because I was a lot more patient when I was younger. And I suppose my personality may have changed over time. I guess we all change in ways we don't even realize!
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
20 Apr 17
I don't know about you but at my age (63) I've seen enough bull crap and stupidity that I know how things should be and I am impatient with those who don't realize how right I am. 
I find myself more patient with children and a lot less patient with adults who should have at least half a brain but usually don't. I don't mind waiting in line but I do mind it if the cashier or other personnel is holding people up by talking on a phone or chatting up a customer.
I think we lack patience as we get older because we have seen so much bull crap.
I find myself more patient with children and a lot less patient with adults who should have at least half a brain but usually don't. I don't mind waiting in line but I do mind it if the cashier or other personnel is holding people up by talking on a phone or chatting up a customer.
I think we lack patience as we get older because we have seen so much bull crap.2 people like this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
21 Apr 17
@amadeo It does help my depression very well. But anxiety is something completely different. And I really don't want to spend the rest of my life being managed with medication. I'd rather find a better way to calm myself down during those times when I begin to panic.
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
20 Apr 17
No, nothing for anxiety. I have depression medication only.
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Apr 17
I've never been patient, but there are some things that I have more than enough patience for those areas I lack in. Okay, not an answer. I have seen a lot of elderly people with no patience, so I wonder if it is an age thing. You might want to try spending more time praying, and not for patience, you will lose it in a hurry, but for a calmer more peaceable attitude, and you just might find that patience you are looking for.
2 people like this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
26 Apr 17
@CRK109 I just finished reading The Battle Plan for Prayer this morning. It takes prayer to a whole new level for me. My prayer time has exploded. God wants us to pray. He wants to know what's on our heart, even when we know he knows. He wants us to articulate it to him. I know there is the scripture that says, "Before you ask, I will answer." In times of desperate need, you will often find the answer right there. God taking care of things before we knew there was a problem. That's how urgent the situation is for God to act so quickly on our behalf. However, that is not always the case. Jesus prayed deliberate prayers for his disciples. He said he prayed for Peter because Satan wanted to sift him like wheat. He knows our needs. He wants to hear us articulate them back to him. Do not just assume that God is going to answer your prayers because he knows your situation. He wants to hear from you about your situation and how important it is to you.
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
21 Apr 17
What I've been doing lately is just talking with God about my gratitude and asking Him for His help and guidance. I know that God knows what I'm going through and while I can't always put into words what I might need, with God, I don't think I really have to. So I just pray that He will help me get through. Lately, I have been praying a lot more. I find that praying the rosary calms me down a lot.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83074)
• United States
20 Apr 17
@Kandae11 I think that's a great idea. I wish we had an advantage like that here
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (55131)
•
20 Apr 17
@Marilynda1225 Even the not so elderly attempt to make use of those lines sometimes - which is unfair because on other occasions they wouldn't want to be identified as an elderly person.
Actually I don't really agree with them. They just spoil the children and it is not good.
@junmae (1586)
• Philippines
21 Apr 17
Loosing patience is very common in the elderly especially those who have lots of regrets in life. We need to understand them deeply so we will not loose respect to them because we also became irritated with their attitude. I have encountered a lot of grumpy old men and women but i just think that life might not be easy for them that's why they diverted it to others.
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
21 Apr 17
That makes a lot of sense to me, Mae. I think you're right about this in so many cases. We never know what life is going to throw at us, so when we get near the end of our lives, I suppose we could become irritated with those around us when, in fact, we are really irritated with ourselves. I need to remember this so I don't become one of those grumpy people!
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83074)
• United States
20 Apr 17
I can get impatient about some things but generally I have a decent amount of patience except waiting on lines (my knees rebell) don't necessarily know if impatience is age related
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
20 Apr 17
I know about knees rebelling! lol But that's a whole other story!
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Apr 17
I 'use' to have a fair amount of patience @CRK109 but at 66, it has diminished but it does depend on the situation.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Apr 17
@CRK109 Exactly. My wit and smile overturns any opposition.
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
21 Apr 17
Seems that you and I share this kind of experience at about the same age. One thing I did learn from Mom is that even while she was being impatient, she kept looking around at people and smiling! I think that's why they often let her get away with things! lol
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20046)
• United States
21 Apr 17
While I was at the hairdressers with my mother. She was having her haircut. An elderly woman with a walker was in hurry to get out of there. Her daughter, I think, told her to wait so she could pay for the hair appointment. I'm bad with patience too.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68918)
• United States
20 Apr 17
When you hit a certain age you realize your time left on earth is dwindling and you don't want to spend it in line! 
No I haven't reached that age.....yet......
No I haven't reached that age.....yet......1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15727)
• Canada
20 Apr 17
What an interesting topic! I'm finding that when I was younger, I had no patience, but now I'm learning to slow down (thanks to my meditating). My husband had tons of patience at one time, but as he gets older, he's has all but lost it... except when his granddaughter is around. lol!! I'm constantly reminding him to just let things go. Odd how we have switched places!
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
20 Apr 17
I hope so, too! It's no fun when you realize that you're losing patience with people and things.
@Courtlynn (67081)
• United States
20 Apr 17
Oh i dont think its an elderly problem as I know many young folk who have none
@thislittlepennyearns (62922)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
20 Apr 17
I just think the population in general don't have patience anymore.
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
20 Apr 17
I've never thought of it that way. And I certainly don't want to be like everyone else! lol
