Aging—The Golden Years?

I’m 96 and doing well, so I have something to say about aging. I hope whatever I write is valuable to those already a member of my population or moving into it.

Regardless of what is said and written about “those golden years,” I don’t think so. I think “old age” sucks. So much takes place when you get there—and “there” can be a vast territory. It may happen in the mid-sixties or seventies and, for sure, the eighties and up. 

Almost all of us who are “there” must give up skiing, biking, hiking, and sports activities in general.  If we work out (as I did) regularly, our routine changes or diminishes; if one is not determined, it goes away completely. None of this is voluntary, but it happens because we cannot do what we did yesterday. On the other hand, my being in excellent shape certainly contributes to my sticking around. Frankly, I think it has mostly to do with Lenette.  Love is that strong.

We live in a senior complex that is like a resort for people 55 and older. Aging brings with it a variety of disabilities. Most here are in their 70s and 80s, and many have infirmities that have made living in their own homes too demanding. Many are single, for having lost a spouse is probably the best reason for being in a facility such as this. And many of the residents are here because their older children live in Reno, so a support system is immediately available for them.

As I’ve written before, leaving our home on the river was difficult. Not quite traumatic, but close. We had never been with people our age, and this has been an entirely new experience for us. Very quickly, we have learned what “old” means.   

I am getting old—What does this mean now to me? –A challenge, for sure

Sy

Author: Sy Ogulnick

Sy Ogulnick received a BA from UCLA, Teacher’s Credential from Los Angeles Board of Education and completed phase I (Master’s portion) in a Doctor of Behavioral Science program at California Coast University. Sy leased and operated a summer day camp in LA. He and his wife then purchased virgin wilderness land in Northern CA, where they built and operated a coed summer camp. They moved to Las Vegas, NV, and purchased, built and operated a community children’s program for families staying in a major resort casino in Las Vegas. They have created programs for children nationwide that employed many people and in the process developed successful training programs for personnel. This led Sy to lecture on how to train staff and the creating of community within the workplace. Sy was then invited to speak at professional conferences on how best to hire and train employees, which led to his becoming a consultant in the art of improving relationships in a work environment and eventually to his epiphany that “Leaders are the primary problem and the answer to the personnel issues that arise in the workplace.” Sy has written numerous papers on the subject of interpersonal relationships, leadership and power. He has lectured throughout the United States, has been interviewed by the media and has appeared on many radio and TV talk shows

One thought on “Aging—The Golden Years?”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *