Updated 21 February 2022
1 October is International Day of Older Persons. But who are the “older persons” in society? What should they be doing?
The term “older person” is rather slippery. First, “older” is a relative word – one may ask, older than what? When along the ageing continuum do we become old? Such ambiguity is expected because age is a social construct. Ageing has meant different things to different people in different eras in human history. In the pre-industrial period, few make it to old age. The Industrial Revolution improved living standards, and old age entered the scene.
What is important is how we feel about ageing rather than having sociologists or doctors decide. The first step is to free ourselves from preconceived notions. For example, ask ourselves the associations we have of ‘old,’ as in an old person. These images may pop up: weak, fragile, feeble, slow, and sick. How about associations we have of an elder? We are likely to mention – experienced or wise. Words have a way of colouring our views.
A helpful concept of viewing “older persons” is through the lenses of childhood, adulthood, and elderhood (a new word invented to describe “older persons”).
Childhood is a time of growth. Children are allowed to play, grow, and develop without the responsibilities and restrictions of adulthood. It is a valuable stage to prepare them to live a fulfilled adult life.
Adulthood is a time to master and to do – the age of accomplishing and fulfilling society and workplace responsibilities. Most of our time will be spent doing with little time left for simply being.
Elderhood is the time for being and sharing experiences. It is a time for contemplation. Socrates once said: “The unexamined life is not worth living”. And, the way we view elderhood will determine how we spend the rest of our days.
I enjoy the freedom of elderhood. I have the time to develop myself (unencumbered by the need to accomplish, and to shoulder the responsibilities of adulthood). And yes, waning capabilities (with passing years) will limit my activities. But that should not get much into my way of further personal development. I do what I can and leave what I can’t.
Morning, afternoon, evening. Childhood, adulthood, elderhood. I would like to think of elderhood as the final developmental stage: from the initial self-dimension through the social dimension and, finally, toward the cosmic (spiritual) dimension. The goal is to become who I am.
George Bernard Shaw once said, “Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself”. And I will try to be creative and make my life into a work of art. A piece of art that only I can paint. And in a way, I want to paint.
Enjoy your elderhood. You are free – just paint!
Vince
Dr Vincent Chong is a retired Professor of Radiology at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
