The Effect of Culture on Aging

The Effect of Culture on Aging and the Rising of

Ageism [1]

First “It is a combination of population, social and cultural change that provide the main framework by which we approach and understand aging.”

It is then predicted that ‘’… it seems probable that ageing will be expressed in increasingly unstable and contested practices and contradictory texts for well into the 21^st century.”  Next they state that: “by culture we are referring to various and complex systems of meaning that constitute everyday life”

“Old age lies sullen and unchanging – represented as the end of social life: a point in life after which future choices are irrelevant.”

Now :

     “ Several writers have argued that widespread negative attitudes toward old age evident in contemporary society lead to the internalization of these values by older people, reducing  expectations, leading to poorer physical and mental performance, which are then treated as ‘objective’ evidence of age related decline.
This can lead to internalized ageism.  This makes me wonder if this is also a process in Sexism and Racism

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[1]  The source of this material is the book Cultures and Aging constructed by Christopher Gilleard and Paul Hoggs, ISBN 0 -582-35641-5 Published in Great Britain in 2000

Reviewing my life

Reviewing My Life

My greatest satisfaction in helping others cope

Helps me explore the meaning of my life.

This will continue for a long time, I hope

With help from my wonderful loving wife.

I’ve spent  years on a faculty helping others

A few have stayed in touch with me

And, of course there are my younger brothers

Who help me remember that Me is We.

While I have not been spiritual through the years

I have developed a strong use of meditation

I travel through life with very few fears;

Although I don’t believe in reincarnation.

In the mornings when I read the Newspaper things

And turn on the TV to hear what’s going on

I worry about the behavior of us human beings

Because who wants to live forever is my song

.

Volunteering Among Seniors

Volunteering Among Seniors[1]

•     Volunteers provide important services to Canadians. They organize activities, serve as members of committees and boards, coach others, distribute food and other goods, and provide care and support.

•     Volunteers provide communities with arts and cultural events, educate the public about protecting our natural environment, promote literacy and learning, and advocate on behalf of the marginalized.

•     Volunteers also play an essential role in promoting active citizenship and building bridges between communities and cultures.

Some Questions:

   There are some indications that seniors may not be able to continue volunteering in the same way or at the same rate as they have in the past.  What is needed to support seniors to continue to volunteer?   Given aging and changing health status, how do we continue to engage seniors as volunteers?

1. What potential is there to leverage the voluntary capacity of seniors to help other seniors in need of assistance and support?

2. How can we engage baby boomers and other age groups, to take on volunteer roles previously held by seniors?

3. What can be done to further entrench volunteering as a key element of civic participation among seniors and future generations of seniors?

4. How can we better understand, promote and enable volunteerism among individual Canadians and through not-for-profit community-based organizations?

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[1]  This information comes from a workshop I created five years ago.  I do my volunteering with Canadian Cancer Society

My Path To Self

My Path To Self

To live in the here and now is what I’ve learned;

It’s helped me understand what’s happening.

Many aspects of meditation is what I’ve learned

As my thoughts continue deepening.

My thinking is less based on how I feel.

It’s much more about what I know.

I’m less likely to act like a heel.

Helping others is the way to go!

Increasing My Luck in Life

Increasing My Luck In Life

I keep my eye out for opportunity

And prepare to capitalize on it.

Most likely within my community

Knowing the lottery is full of shit.

I’m taking greater effort to know myself

And increase my level of confidence

As well, I don’t leave my effort on a shelf.

Stay and use your brain; makes sense.

The more I prepare for things,

The more opportunity I see.

And when I get luck my heart sings

And I know more about the show of Glee

So I continue to do what I know

Is an opportunity to increase my chance

And my heartbeat sings way to go

As I feel the urge to get up and dance.

A Tool For Combating Ageism

A Tool used to Combat Ageism: Case Processing[1]

1.     Because of my age I have been called insulting namestools

                  Quite Frequently____    ____   ____   ____  ____Never

    

    2.   I have been treated with apparent kindness that betrays a                       feeling of superiority.

                   Quite Frequently____   ____  ____  ____  ____Never

     3.   I have been told ageist Jokes.

                   Quite Frequently____  ____  ____  ____  ____Never

4.    I have been sent ageist birthday cards.

             Quite Frequently ____  ____ ____  ____  ____Never

5.    I have been refused housing.

                   Quite Frequently ____  ____  ____  ____  ____Never

   

6.    I have been denied leadership

             Quite Frequently____  ____  ____  ____ _­­____ Never

7.    I have been denied employment

             Quite Frequenltly____  ____ ____ ____  _____Never

8.  It has been assumed that I couldn’t understand

              Quite Frequently___ ___   ____  ____  _____Never

8.    I have been told,“You’re too old.

              Quite Frequently ___ ____ ____ _____ _____Never

9.    My house has been vandalized.

                     Quite Frequently ____ ____ ____ ____ ____Never

10.              I have been victimized by a criminal

               Quite Frequently ____ ____ ____ ____ ____Never

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[1] Many years ago I began my journey in combating Ageism.  Above was one of my tools.  If you are interested in exploring ageism and it’s consequences, these should be helpful. 

Making and Breaking Habits Wow

 My Response to the book

Making Habits, Breaking Habits[1]

         The day before yesterday, on the Internet, I read chapter one of the books.  After finishing I rushed down to Chapters Book Store and purchased the book and rushed home and began to read. 

         For about 30 years I was a Psych Professor.  I am now retired and will be 75 years old in October.   His book is one of the most interesting one I have ever read.  Every question I have about my self has been discussed in the book.

         Earlier, just after I got my PhD, worked as a clinical psychologist but I wasn’t good enough and went back to teaching, I think that if I had read this book before while still counseling I might have stayed in that role. As a teacher I would have a class of students exploring the important message about habits.

         I am now beginning to read chapter 9 Breaking Habits.  Having been meditating for a long time I am now exploring myself and I can hardly wait till I get to chapter 12 – Creative Habits.

         I also encourage those of you read this post, to get to the bookstore, or order one online, and you will change you life for the better.        Thank you Jeremy!!!!!!! 

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[1]   Author is Jeremy Dean  10987654321