Advantages and Disadvantages of Aging
Advantages and Disadvantages of Aging
As an individual gets older there are physical and mental changes that will occur. It might start with grey hair, skin that appears dull looking, a line across the forehead that intensifies into a wrinkle or difficulty remembering even the smallest of things. With this shifting world around us; everyone has different thoughts and feelings about getting older. Some people are afraid to get older because of the numerous disadvantages while others anticipate it because of the plentiful advantages. This paper intends to demonstrate some of the advantages and disadvantages that come with the process of aging in individuals over the age of 65.
There are a number of advantages of being old. I have not experienced living with an individual over the age of 65; however, I managed to interview my grandmother over the phone (Begum). Her name is Mehmooda Begum, a 72-year old woman and I asked her to list some of the advantages she feels she has at her age as compared to when she was young. She admits that life slows down and there’s more time to enjoy herself and her family (Begum). She said that she has more knowledge of just about everything than she ever did before, lots of respect from others, a large extended family of her descent and an old age pension (Begum). One gains a deeper meaning of life and learns to enjoy the things that are really important - spouse, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends (Begum).
The positive features of aging can be viewed as time of increased knowledge of life, wisdom and great achievements that can be passed onto the younger generations. The last thing old individuals want is for someone to have to take care of them, and lose their independence. When we have loved ones that depend on us for nurturing and financial support it can be difficult contemplating leaving them behind. No one wants to think about all the health problems one would have to look forward to and all the doctors’
As an individual gets older there are physical and mental changes that will occur. It might start with grey hair, skin that appears dull looking, a line across the forehead that intensifies into a wrinkle or difficulty remembering even the smallest of things. With this shifting world around us; everyone has different thoughts and feelings about getting older. Some people are afraid to get older because of the numerous disadvantages while others anticipate it because of the plentiful advantages. This paper intends to demonstrate some of the advantages and disadvantages that come with the process of aging in individuals over the age of 65.
There are a number of advantages of being old. I have not experienced living with an individual over the age of 65; however, I managed to interview my grandmother over the phone (Begum). Her name is Mehmooda Begum, a 72-year old woman and I asked her to list some of the advantages she feels she has at her age as compared to when she was young. She admits that life slows down and there’s more time to enjoy herself and her family (Begum). She said that she has more knowledge of just about everything than she ever did before, lots of respect from others, a large extended family of her descent and an old age pension (Begum). One gains a deeper meaning of life and learns to enjoy the things that are really important - spouse, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends (Begum).
The positive features of aging can be viewed as time of increased knowledge of life, wisdom and great achievements that can be passed onto the younger generations. The last thing old individuals want is for someone to have to take care of them, and lose their independence. When we have loved ones that depend on us for nurturing and financial support it can be difficult contemplating leaving them behind. No one wants to think about all the health problems one would have to look forward to and all the doctors’
References: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. (2000). Effects of Ageing. Retrieved November 18, 2007 from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org Chapman, L. (2006). Changes in the Condition of Your Hair. Retrieved November 18, 2007 from http://www.bellaonline.com Encarta Encyclopedia. (2007). Ageing Effects. Retrieved November 18, 2007 from http://encarta.msn.com/media_461554897/Effects_of_Aging.html Health Care System. (2007). Medicare. Retrieved November 18, 2007 from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/medi-assur/index_e.html Rowe, J.W., & Kahn, R.L. (1998). Health, Illness, and Optimal Aging. Successful Aging. United States of America: Sage Publications, 304-309.