Exploring the Joys of Aging

As kids, we often yearn for the day that we’re old enough to drive, to vote, to get a job, to buy a house, to do countless other things. Then, as we get older, we sometimes wish we had the innocence and carefree days of youth. Every age has its pros and cons. There can actually be a lot of benefits to getting older and having experienced the world as it changes.

• With age comes wisdom
  There are so many things you’d probably tell your younger self. Things you worried about then that don’t matter now. Challenges you endured and came out stronger on the other side. You’re able to give advice to younger friends and family because of everything you have experienced. You’ve learned a lot of life skills that you can pass on to younger generations and help them to learn from your mistakes.

• Regal others with stories of the past
  Things have certainly changed over the years. Life in the 1940s and 1950s was much different than life in the 2010s and now the 2020s. Technology has changed. Business has changed. Society has changed. Grandkids are often amazed at what life was like for previous generations without the instant gratification of social media, the immediate access to information that the Internet provides, the difference in prices at the store, and simply the activities and routines seniors participated in when they were younger. It can be fun to sit down and look through pictures together and share stories and traditions that can continue to be passed on for generations. It’s important for kids to understand their family’s history.

• Spend time with your grandchildren
  You raised your children, and now they have children of their own. As a grandparent, you get to spoil your grandkids and make fun memories that they’ll cherish forever. You can watch them learn new things, grow and change, and hit milestones in their lives, but you’re not the one ultimately responsible for raising them. You get to see how your children choose to raise their kids and what they gleaned from their own upbringing.

• Make the most of retirement
  Now that you are retired, you can do the things you always wanted to do before but never felt that you had the time for. You can volunteer with a nonprofit, at an animal shelter, or with your grandchild’s school. You can take those piano, photography, or painting classes you’ve been thinking about. You can spend more time traveling, working on that project in the garage, or writing the story that has been stuck in your head. You’re free to go out to lunch, attend your grandkids’ concerts and activities, or spend hours tending to your garden.

• Enjoy senior discounts
  You’ve made it to the point where you get rewarded for being a senior. Take advantage of the savings and discounts that different businesses provide. They can be especially beneficial if you are on a fixed or limited income. Saving money wherever you can adds up. There are websites that compile information about discounts for seniors, and many organizations like the AARP do as well.

Don’t let getting older get you down. There are so many wonderful things you have accomplished in your life, and time to do so much more. Take each day as it comes and make the most of the opportunities available to you. If you’re having more trouble with memory, mobility, agility, or keeping up with tasks around your home, considering enlisting the help of an in-home caregiver. Always Best Care provides a wide range of services to help seniors age in place more safely and comfortably and tailors services to your unique needs and level of support. Contact us today at (855) 470-2273 to schedule a care consultation and find out if in-home care is right for you.