Article content
In the good old days, there was no such thing as entering your golden years, it was simply known as growing older. The term “elderly” did not apply to people over 55, as it often does today, and old age pensions were paid only to people over 70.
Advertisement 2
Article content
In the 1950s, nursing homes as we know them today did not exist in Prince Edward County. One of his first hospitals to open was Resthaven, located on the site of Picton's first hospital on Hill Street. Although primitive by modern standards, my grandmother lived there in 1964. Her grandmother remembers that she worked in the hospital's old laundry until she was 70 years old.
Article content
When I was a child, it was common for many elderly people to live with their families, and those who could not live alone were given lodging in private houses and meals were provided.
Many older people continued to work casual jobs long after reaching retirement age. I remember my first blacksmith still shod horses even though he was well over 80 years old, and there was also a doctor in Picton who continued to practice into his 70s.
Advertisement 3
Article content
Old age is considered a normal part of life and has not arrived disguised as a golden age of retirement or travel. It wasn't as romantic as it is today, as many older people faced harsh realities. At times, they could not afford the necessities of life, let alone luxury travel.
Today's seniors enjoy a much better lifestyle than their grandparents did, and there are many resources available to make their lives easier. Still, there is no doubt that the term “golden age” is a euphemism first coined by young people who have no real knowledge of what it's like to grow old.
Last week, an elderly friend who recently celebrated her 90th birthday shared with me her thoughts on life in her golden years. He summarized it as follows: “They think you don't know anything and can't do anything.”
Advertisement 4
Article content
Considering his observations, I had to admit that he did have a point. The golden age became a carrot dangled in front of 50-year-old northerners. Aging is portrayed as a passport to a new and exciting lifestyle, with the downsides of declining health and loss of independence rarely mentioned. Older people are invited on cruises or moved into spa-like retirement homes to let younger people run things.
While no one wants to return to the dismal realities of aging of the 50s and early 60s, there is much to be said about the benefits of older people who continue to make important contributions to the workforce. I was there. Their experiences were valued and their opinions respected.
The elderly, who have reached their so-called golden age, are now depicted as carefree globetrotters in glorious health. Free yourself from worries and responsibilities. In many ways, this image corresponds to Robert Browning's famous poem, “Grow old with me, the best is yet to come.” It's a beautiful sentiment, but it's usually far from reality.
Perhaps the true “best” thing is to acknowledge age, refuse to be defined by it, and avoid unrealistic expectations.
Article content