The other day, I jumped over a fence at my in-law’s house, and I landed wrong and injured my knee. I’m recovering just fine, but it did remind me that I’m not 25 anymore, and perhaps I need to rethink jumping fences. This, combined with the fact that my parents recently transitioned from a home into a continuum of care facility where they plan to reside now until they die, has had me thinking a lot about aging. It also happens to be National Healthy Aging Month in September, which the organizers say is an opportunity to look at the positive aspects of aging rather than the negative stereotypes we often have of aging.
At 44, I don’t fall into the “aging” category according to the National Healthy Aging folks, but I’m close. I also know that while I injured myself, the thing I can say that’s positive about that moment is that I could actually jump the fence. I want to keep that ability as I age. I could jump the fence; I just didn’t land very well. That’s something I can work on, and I don’t need to sink into despair that I am getting older and can’t jump fences any longer. (I certainly can!)
Additionally, while people are surprised to hear that my parents made a conscious choice to leave their home and move into a 2-bedroom apartment, they already report that they like it much better than being in their house. I can only imagine that will increase as they continue to age. I’m also glad they’re in a community that will surround and support them. That sounds pretty positive, even though we may be tempted to think of it as moving to the “old person’s home” with disdain.
Aging is not all bad. It’s not bad at all! However, we can focus on ways to remain healthy as we age. We can also reframe how we think about aging. There are ten suggestions here. #1, don’t act your age. Well, I’ve got that one down, and that’s why I’ll keep jumping fences, hurt knee or not!
Last Updated on August 29, 2024