Why should I 'act my age'?
Paul Gutherson
Helping organisations to make a difference to the lives of people in Lincolnshire
Last year at this time I wrote a short blog for NDTi - National Development Team for Inclusion about what I hoped the coming year would bring. I had just started in my role as the Development Lead for Ageing and Older People in the Equal Lives team. I reflected on the view that society is too inclined to think of older members of our communities in a deficit-based way - thinking about what’s missing, rather than the value of the skills, knowledge and experience that they carry with them.
So this year as part of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons I wanted to share the thoughts of one member of the Older People’s Sounding Board on this topic. NDTi currently host the Older People’s Sounding Board on behalf of NHS England , the members provide feedback on policy proposals and also share their views on wider issues affecting the wellbeing of people as they age through what we have been calling ‘Themed conversations’. So, thanks to David for sharing his thoughts. I wholeheartedly agree with what he has to say and in this coming year I will continue striving to make sure that people of all ages get opportunities to lend their voice to policy development and the issues that matter to them, and I will continue to support those who want to bring about change to find ways to make that change happen but above all I will try to follow David’s example and simply enjoy being the age I am.
The Value of Older People
Throughout my life, my view on what is “old age” has changed. As a child, I thought anything over 20 was old. Now, at the age of 72 years, I still don’t think of myself as old (apart from the odd day when things don’t work as they used to). Age is just a chronological construct. It may point to some stereotypical attitudes and categories. We tell people to, “act your age”. But whatever age we are, things are new. None of us have ever been our current age before. We don’t know what acting our age means. And being of an older age is also intergenerational, since it may mean being 50 to 70, 70 to 90 or 90 plus
Various Government departments like to know how old we are. Our age somehow fits into their scheme of things and triggers off some plan, algorithm or actuarial model based on predicted needs and services. This is one side of the picture – the cost of the elderly. It often neglects the benefit – the value that older people offer to their various communities and organisations – locally, nationally and even internationally. It may also fail to recognise the needs and values of the different generations our age may represent.
I write this a few days before International Day of Older Persons on October 1st. Events around the world, this year, are on the theme of the value of older women.
Whether or not women have been in paid employment, following a vocation or professional career, or have been keeping a family together, raising children, caring for a family member, they all have skills and knowledge that can be transferred to either paid work and career change in later life, volunteering, writing, teaching, or mentoring others.
Older people, especially women, are often part of a significant army of unpaid carers for families and neighbours. They fill a gap in the social care system and can trigger early interventions by health professionals.
So, let’s put aside the stereotypes and consider the value of older people. At my age, I often marvel that I am busier now that at any time in my life. I enjoy being this age. I feel valued for what I have to offer. In turn, I value others around me who refuse to put their feet up and, “act their age”.
Development Lead, Mental Health First Aider, Dare to Lead Trained
2yLove this!
Coach for Midlife Founders | Helping You Build a Business That Reflects Your Purpose & Pays You Well | Startup School For Seniors co-founder
2yI read that as where should I act your age? Probably more appropriate
MD Hartley Watts Comms, Director of EngAgeNet.org.uk, Director of RetireEasy.co.uk, co-author of "The Midlife Review", co-founder theageactionalliance.org/
2yWhen I started editing my first older people’s newspaper in the '80s, “older people” then had come through the war and average life expectancy was 75 – women living significantly longer than men, thanks to historic working conditions. Expectations were impacted by many being dependent on the State Pension (then losing value each year thanks to Mrs T removing the link with wages). It is obviously a different generation coming through now, with different expectations, more treatments to keep us going and (for some) greater financially security. I well remember the stories I was sent about older people doing “exceptional” things, hang gliding, barn storming etc. I stopped using those as it became, well, the norm and rather patronising. Now many of us work way past retirement age, not least women who need to keep earning, and because the Default Retirement Act stops us being shown the door at an arbitrary age. What I have learned as the years have rolled on is that ageing is inevitable but being old is a state of mind. I meet young people who are “older” than their parents’ generation because they no longer seek out challenges or accept change as an opportunity rather than a threat. Age doesn't define you. You do that yourself.