The question of how old a person should be considered old is being raised more and more often in modern society. Teens, without hesitation, will classify in this category all who have reached 25 years. And employers consider those who are over 40 years old to be unpromising.
What are the boundaries of old age? And what should society be like towards old age?
Public opinion
Among many people, it is believed that old age makes a person more susceptible to accidents, indicates poor learning about something new and forgetfulness. But is it?
The facts suggest otherwise. The fastest wilting occurs with a person aged 30 to 40 years. Every third person who died in a car accident is a young man under 25 years old. There is no scientific evidence that the mental abilities of a healthy person decline with age. The opinion that old age and weakness go hand in hand does not correspond to reality - many people who are in old age are relatively healthy and, moreover, do not consider themselves old.
Old age
We observe that today society is "obsessed" with youth and in the media of the elderly represent in a distorted light. Among the presenters on television, you will not find an elderly person. We are witnessing a paradox: never before in the history of mankind has so much been done for the social and economic protection of members of society who are elderly. However, the opinion of them in society is extremely negative.
Older people face discrimination. Doctors believe that after 65 years, it’s too late to apply preventive measures and treat diseases of the elderly as senile ailments, refusing quality medical care. The old people are accused of absorbing an exorbitant share of the funds allocated for health care. And also a large number of pensioners in different countries are called the cause of economic difficulties. "Gray-haired wave" refers to old age, the characteristic, you see, is very unflattering.
Valuable contribution of the elderly
Judge for yourself: according to sociologists, many older members of society have greater affluence and greater economic independence than young couples, especially in developed countries. This makes them the best customers, positively influencing the economies of their countries.
A third of all working women leave their children in the care of grandmothers, who, according to some estimates, carry out half of all childcare work .
For many people, old age is not a hindrance to master a computer and other technology innovations. They are happy to learn and share their experience with others.
Also, an increasing number of people of retirement age refuses to go on a well-deserved rest.
Continue to pursue an active life
Old age is not an obstacle to a happy life. All older people have one thing in common: they are purposefully engaged in some useful activity, either paid work, or voluntary work.
Continue to be active, do physical exercises, be interested in other people of all ages, and satisfy your spiritual needs.
Try to look at the world easier and bring variety to your life.
Listen to the advice of the World Health Organization, which will be useful for both young and old: "As health contributes to an active life, so an active life provides an excellent opportunity to maintain health."
The ability to enjoy life in old age can be affected to some extent by the biased opinion of others, but do not forget that joy is determined by the elderly person’s own view of his life.