The following information was taken from the book Healthwise for LIFE 7^th Edition:

Gifts of Aging

Benjamin Franklin was past 80 when he helped draft the U.S Constitution. Gandhi was in his 70s when he launched India’s struggle for independence. Grandma Moses started painting at 78 and kept going until she was 101. Georgia O’Keeffe, after becoming blind, learned to do pottery in her 90s.

A productive, creative, and exciting old age is not just for the superstars of art and politics, though. You, too, can make a difference, especially when you embrace the gifts that come with age: wisdom, creativity, and the chance to contribute in new ways.

Wisdom

Wisdom is simply good sense. Most of us grow wiser as we age. We learn from our experiences and come to understand what truly matters. Simply living and surviving for decades can bring us the experience and knowledge that help us make wise decisions.

Don’t confuse being mentally quick with being wise. The speed of the brain may slow down with age, but our skill in using a lifetime’s worth of information does not. Unless a physical problem occurs, the brain continues to adapt throughout life. The older brain constantly re-creates itself, gaining new insights and wisdom as it goes. Some researchers believe that the young mind is actually at a disadvantage: It tries to make up for a lack of information with speed. Practice – and share – your wisdom every day. With good decisions and new learning, you can grow wiser all the time.

Creativity and Lifelong Learning

Think of life as happening in three ages:

–The first age: Childhood

–The second age: Raising a family and working

–The third age: Retiring from work and exploring new things

These days, most people are living about 30 years longer than their grandparents did. This 30-year “bonus” means that we may get to enjoy that third age in ways that our grandparents did not.

After the daily pressures of raising a family and going to work are over, some people find a source of creativity they new they had . T he  third age gives you a great chance to  try things that you didn’t have time for in the past .Believe in your own creativity and ability to learn, whether it’s in writing a family memoir, exploring new interests through an adult learning center or Elderhostel, reconnecting with something you enjoyed in your youth, or setting of on new adventures.

Being creative is good for you too. Meeting new people , learning new things, and having new experiences helps keep you mentally sharp.

Continuing Contributions

Older adults have a lot to offer – time, talents, and energy. And never let it be said that they are a drain on the economy:

–          Older adults pay taxes (just as they’ve done all their lives).

–          Older adults volunteer.

–          Older adults give money to charity.

–          Older adults help friends and family, including taking care of their spouses and grandchildren.

Older adults have a chance to make their extended years better for themselves and for others. Many retirees spend at least part of their time making a difference in their communities. By using their knowledge, skills, and energy to make that difference, older volunteers see themselves as part of the larger picture. They’re part of the solution. What positive difference could you make today in your family, your community, your world? You are needed.

Other contributions lie closer to the heart. Remember what you have to offer your children, your grandchildren (and great grandchildren!), and other young people. Your listening, your play, your steady presence, your love, and your stories and life history are all much needed gifts.

Preserving and passing along your values, your hopes, and the lessons you’ve learned may appeal to you as a way to give the younger generation something beyond money and property.

***For more information and question re; In –Home Care AND Care -giving , please contact Professional Health Care Services, Inc. at (888)580-2888 or email us at info@phcsicare.com