Maturation of Aging

One of the reasons I started this blog several years ago was because I found it so surprising that I was becoming an older person. Who me? No, old people were some aunts and uncles and other older family members, or people I saw on the street pushing rollators. When I saw an older person on the bus I was glad to offer them my seat. I knew I was considered a senior by the world at large, but I didn’t quite consider myself an older person yet.

As I continue to age, I now realize that aging is not a fixed stage that I reached, but that some things continue to change. I like to think that I am becoming a more mature older person.

My back has started hurting me. No problem with balance, no osteoporosis, it just feels tired when I walk, and I find myself slouching. The doctor said part of the problem may be that I need to strengthen the muscles around my spine, and some physical therapy (PT) may be helpful.  When I was younger, I always thought PT was to help you recover from an injury – temporary and to restore you to prior health. Only older people needed it to maintain normal functioning. I guess I’m in that category now, and there are consequences for having walked upright for so many years.

I recently went to the dermatologist for a checkup for skin cancer. I had not been there in several years, even though I know annual skin checkups are recommended, especially for seniors. The examination showed that everything was fine.  I asked the dermatologist to remove some of the dark spots/tags on my face and around my neck. I thought they were unsightly, something older people get. But not all were removed, and I’m sure more will be developing. I am now planning on going for annual visits- to have the checkups that are recommended, and to get the doctor to remove those dark spots and “tags” whenever I go. For some things, I don’t want my maturation to show!

I have discovered the joy of brief, mid-day naps. When I am busy in the morning, whether doing things in the apartment or going out, I find that I need an early afternoon nap. About 30 minutes is enough to give me energy for the rest of the day, although it usually takes a little while after I waken from the nap to feel ready to go. I resisted this need for a while but I have experienced the benefits, and will continue this as needed.

And I find that I am more sensitive to others’ language and to my own use of certain words. I have become more patient when my older friends tell me things I know they have told me before. Given my own changes in memory, I figure hearing them repeat a story will mean I am more likely to remember the details. And I hope they continue showing the same kindness to me when I repeat stories. Also, some words have become more sensitive. The other day I was writing an email to a group of senior friends, who I likely wouldn’t see for a couple of months. Since it was the end of the summer, I started to write “Have a nice Fall” – I smiled as I quickly changed the last word to “Autumn.”

By the way, I still offer older people my seat on the bus. But I do it much less frequently. This is not because I’m a less considerate person, but sometimes, I need it too.

I like the definition of “maturation” that refers to developing to one’s potential, and believe that it didn’t stop once I reached adulthood. Accepting the changes that continue to happen to me, and doing what I believe is needed to help me adapt, is the best way to handle what I can’t change, as I continue to mature.