Intellectual ability isn’t an indicator of intelligence, but you wouldn’t know many people in higher education today. While intelligence is closely connected with age, that is not the only way a person can lose their intelligence as they age. Just because someone gets older doesn’t mean they will stop learning. Older adults are often more enthusiastic about learning than young people.
Living life with the elders sounds more important than it is. (And if that sounds confusing, let me explain.) In the 60s, 70s, and early 80s, a lot of people made documentaries about living the life of an American Indian, usually on a reservation. The elder was usually an older man or woman (who often appeared to be as old as 300) who taught about life on the reservation. An old saying: “If you’re up to your neck in alligators and don’t know it, you’re probably not in too much trouble.”
Living life with the elders is no time to rest on your laurels. It has been said, “Life is what happens while you’re making other plans,” and for the elders, this statement couldn’t be more true, especially when it comes to social integration and social relationships. Now, with so many new social technologies now available, it has become easier for the elders to connect with people they miss and those they miss to connect with them.
Tips on Living The Life with The Elders
Be active
Staying active is a good way to stay healthy and fit, but you must engage in activities that you enjoy. After all, you have to stay motivated, especially when you’re trying to lose weight. Thankfully, there are a lot of ways you can keep moving. Whether it’s walking, swimming, or working out at the gym, there are plenty of ways to get and stay fit.
Be connected with your family.
The holidays are here, and families will soon gather for holiday feasts and reunions. While it may feel like everyone is there to see the youngest (and most adorable) member of your family, it’s important to remember that these get-togethers can be a chance to reconnect with your aunts and uncles, cousins, and other family members you may not see very often. While technology has changed the way we communicate, phone calls and face-to-face conversations are still the most popular forms of communication. However, the fast-paced life of our modern society makes it difficult for us to make time for friends and family. And, with many people now using mobile devices to keep in touch with friends and family, face-to-face communication is less common nowadays. But, there is still much we can do to maintain friendships and keep close relationships with our loved ones.
Live simple
It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s hard not to get worked up over the little things, like who pays the bills or who cleans the house. But, there is good news! You can actually simplify your life to make everything feel less stressful. Life would certainly be easier if everything came with a manual. But we all deal with setbacks, from leaky faucets to broken cars, so learning how to replace locks on a car is one of those necessary things that we’ll deal with someday. Fortunately, it’s one of those skills that can be learned in just a few minutes, and you don’t need to be a mechanic to do it either.
Keep your passion
As hard as it may be to believe, life is unpredictable and can change in the blink of an eye. This is why each of us needs to have something to focus on other than work, family, and other responsibilities. One way to channel your inner passion is to find something that you love and do it all the time. While passion is important, passion alone is not enough to get you through the ups and downs of pursuing your hobby or what you love to do. You need to be patient and work hard to achieve what you set out to.
Staying active helps seniors keep their minds sharp and bodies strong. Research shows that seniors who exercise regularly are up to 50% less likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s. Staying physically active can also help prevent falls and fractures, leading to breaking bones that make it harder to get around.
The Elders is an interfaith organization that connects leaders and decision-makers with experienced people of faith who can offer fresh perspectives on global issues. Through their workshops, conferences, grants, and fellowships, They give new insights into thoughtful, informed responses to today’s most pressing challenges.
