You may be hearing this word “elderly” more that you think. When our country and others recently had extreme flooding the rescuers were concentrating on saving the children and the elderly. Ukraine, anticipating bombing locates the elderly, women and children and moves them from the area. When our country announces that a vaccine was ready to combat a new disease of the lung, the elderly of 65 and 75 plus were encouraged to be first in line. When the country started talking about the epidemic of loneliness, who was spoken of first? Answer, the elderly! And have you seen the “elderly” folks on the Medicare television commercials upset that all health insurance programs available for seniors are structured the same?
Webster Dictionary defines “elderly” as someone who is older or somewhat old. I’m not sure what that means. By 2030 every baby boomer will be over age 65!
With all this attention, I would think those in the category might feel included and comfortable. The problem I have is grouping an entire group of people into so many specific lists and issues. I was an Elder over twenty years ago when I served in the Presbyterian Church. Elders in Major League Baseball would be about thirty. A quick Google search tells us that there are now 62 million elderly (65 and over) in the United States today, 18% of the population. I wonder if all of them are waiting to be rescued, getting the vaccine, or feeling lonely?
As a former Parish Visitor and now a Deacon in my church , I have been privileged to visit quite a few “elders.” I absolutely loved these opportunities. Admittedly, a good number of them were experiencing health issues but I sensed most of them were pleased just being a member of our church, not reaching out as a particularly “damaged” seniors. I bet a good percentage of them could save themselves or plan successfully to save themselves from flooding emergencies. A few would admit to loneliness, but most had regular visits with family and friends to fill most of their days.
In some respects, it seems we might be placing our growing numbers of “elderly” in a category in which many of them do not belong. Many of these seniors I visited are self-assured, physically active and able citizens in our communities. Still, the cost of living rises, significant elderly who are living on a fixed income may have difficult decisions to make. Costs of food, medical care, and housing rise, yet income for many elderly stays put.
Last week some in our country recognized Ageism Awareness Day. Some elderly, but not everyone, do need some help. Government services are necessary for some to live a comfortable and meaningful life. My hope is that studies be conducted to learn a reasonable number of individuals needing a visit or a helping hand, and which do not. An Ageism Awareness Day is important, but not a “one size fits all.”
At Peace wishes and prays for all readers who might be among this wonderful league of seniors!
At Peace 