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Growing Older:
Berkshire role models
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Growing Older: Berkshire role models
Following are the remarks prepared by one of three Berkshire elders, Priscilla Zuber, Robert V. Hamilton, and Mary Ellen Ausman, who shared their ideas on aging well at Elder Services’ Annual Meeting October 30, 2002. Subsequent issues will feature remarks by the other two speakers.
Mary Ellen Ausman
Aging is a natural process. Throughout the ages, people have sought eternal youth, all unsuccessfully.
When you are young, you are always studying hard and learning to be a successful adult. As an adult ,you go through the most productive part of your life.
W hen you become older, you still must work at maintaining your mind and your body to achieve a good quality of life.
Physical activity is good for you and must not be taken for granted. Something as simple as walking every day can help you keep good health. If you want to keep your mobility and endurance you must work at it.
Working your mind is equally important. Reading and working puzzles are examples of what you can do by yourself. We are really not meant to be hermits. When you are older it becomes harder to make new friends. Join groups. Sometimes you have an acquaintance who shares a similar interest such as going to the movies. Cultivate this shared interest by asking her to go with you as new movies arrive in town.
Get out and do things for other people - volunteer at the hospital, check out RSVP. I volunteer as a guide at Arrowhead, where Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick. I very much enjoy the exchanges with visitors about the long-standing history and cultural life of Pittsfield and Berkshire County.
Fun activities are important too. I play Rummycube with a group of friends once a month. That is a light enough activity to allow a lot of chit chat.
Above all keep your sense of humor and dwell on the happy things in life instead of your aches and pains and problems. I don't know if I am a role model for aging, but I am able to keep busy doing constructive things and try to make adjustments for my declining mind and body.