How are the Elderly Treated in....China?

Grammyism: "It's a terrible thing, to get old."

China is a country, much like Japan, that dedicates much of their time to caring for the elderly. China believes that respecting your elders is most important. The elderly in China are placed on the highest pinnacle.

Confucius was a Chinese teacher, editor, and professor whose view on old age was described as: "Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable seat as spectator."

Much like Japan, sending the elderly to nursing homes or retirement homes stamps a seal of dishonour on the family. Even in serious cases of illness such as Alzheimer'rs disease, many families would rather hire a caretaker than put their parents in a home. All their lives, children are reminded that the sole responsibility of caring for their parents is on them.

Holidays such as Spring Festival and National Day are ones in which people come from all over China to visit their parents. In America, dedicating a holiday to visiting your parents exclusively, is not a norm.

Although China represents a unity between generations, that unity may be jeopardized due to two factors. The first factor being China's one child policy, leaving all the responsibility on one person. Also, since families could only have one child, they were often spoiled to a point where taking care of their parents was not in their best interests. These children don't respect tradition and prefer to build their own paths.

The second factor is the fact that the elderly are living longer in Chinese society. In 2005, a report showed that eleven percent of China's population was over the age of 60 (144 million). The increase in longer life-spans now causes strain on both the economy and society. Families will have to compensate for extra expenses as well as extra time.

With China's growing elderly population, they are also lacking in geriatric care, broad knowledge of illnesssss such as Alzheimer's disease, as well as psychological conditions of the elderly.

Despite China's reluctance to send their elderly to nursing homes, but with the harsh reality of the growing population, nursing homes are becoming more of a necessity and safe haven.

The Zhangulanhu Community Home is a prime example of the importance of sursing homes in China. The home is run by retired kindergarten teacher, Tang  Xiuim who is 70 years old herself. She has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of her residents, as well as the general understanding of what a retirement home can provide.

Clearly, China truly values their elderly, enough to refrain from their values and put them in a nursing home to benefit their mental and physical health. The Chinese sacrificed their values to their elderly's needs. Let's take some lessons from them!

Look Into my Eyes and Show me Your Life

Grammyism: "I don't like eye shadow. I think it looks cheap."

The focal point of one's face is their eyes.

Through a person's eyes, you can see their sadness. Through a person's eyes you can see their happiness. Eyes are often the vessel to examining one's soul.

It is with our eyes that we gain our perspective of life, and of the people around us. Our eyes, even if they no longer work, will always be a part of one's life. The reality of memories is captured through the eyes, allowing them to be replayed and relived.

With old age, the skin around one's eyes begins to age, becoming wrinkled and withered over time. The caves of one's eyes begins to deepen. Eyes themselves, often look the same with old age. Although the color may fade with cataracts, the color itself does not change. Although they may not see the same, all that they have seen does not change.

As the Old view the youth throughout their life, they are reminded of when they were young. Their eyes allow them to make connections in their old age.

They may loose their appearances, their memory, and their physical strength. Some may even lose their sight, but they can not lose what they have once seen.

 If I looked into your eyes, what would I see?

Inspirational Oldie of the Week: Dorothy Custer

Grammyism: "Walking and smoking is trashy. Just sit and smoke."

Dorothy Custer, 103, was the oldest person living in Twin Falls, ID. She was born on May 30, 1911 and died on April 22, 2015. She was just a month short of turning 104. She was only 7 years younger than the town of Twin Falls, in which she grew up.

Dorothy was an American Comedian with her own YouTube channel. At the age of 100, she went on her own stand-up comedy tour.

 To celebrate her 102nd birthday, Dorothy decided BASE jumping off of a bridge 500 feet in the air  into the Snake River Canyon. Before that, for her 101st birthday, she zip lined across the same canyon.

When Dorothy was young, she rode a horse five and a half miles to school everyday. Could you  imagine? Bus not needed apparently.

Dorothy's roots are deeply buried in the roots of Idaho. Her father, Charles Cline, was born in Arkansas in 1880 and had polio, preventing him from walking until he was four. Dorothy's mother, schoolteacher Theresa Elizabeth Bailey, was born in Hailey in 1882. She boarded at the Cline home while she taught at Rock Creek School. She and Cline were married in 1905.

Dorothy explained that, "They lived in a tent that had a wood floor and walls partway up." Her family was poor, and her parents hard-working. Dorothy explained that she didn't understand how her mother did it all. Despite their poverty, they always had food to eat due to her mother's garden and her father's employment at the cattle company.

They had no refrigerator, so her mother would have to can the meat and boil it for five to six hours.

The Cline family moved often, causing Dorothy and her siblings to attend several different schools. Although she did not attend school until she was 5, the school asked if she would be Tiny Tim in the school production of a "Christmas Carol".

"That was my first stage appearance and I loved it and have been 'acting' ever since."
 
Dorothy was a woman who always wanted to be the center of attention.

In 1929, she graduated from Hansen High School, in whish she rode the horse to everyday. Dorothy then went on to study at the College of Idaho in Caldwell. She could only complete a third year of college due to a lack of money, so she took time off to teach at Murtaugh, where she taught a class of 45 sixth and seventh graders. She taught them all to play the harmonica and explained, "they were good, too."

After teaching, Dorothy worked in a Hansen service station in which she would flip burgers and sell gas. In 1935, that is where Dorothy met Marvin Custer, her future husband. He asked her when he could have a date, and she told him he could that Sunday. There he was, in her driveway, on a horse, to pick her up. She had a car and he didn't.

Since that date, Dorothy explained that "From then on, it was just Marvin." In 1937, they married.

Dorothy continued to teach until she had her first son, Gary. She wanted two boys and two girls, and that is what she got eventually. Gary, Colleen, Neal, and Carole. Dorothy explained, "I thought I had the world by the tail."

Over the next years, Dorothy became known. She dressed as many characters, such as "Granny Clampett" and "Gentlemen Joe from Kokomo." She also played the harmonica with a monkey on her shoulder that collected donations for dogs for the deaf.

For 42 years, Dorothy and Marvin farmed for 42 years. In 2005, her husband died, followed by her son Gary four years later. She was devastated and questioned why she was still alive.

Dorothy continued on, and when she turned 100, she appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She did not believe that she would live to be 100, but she sure did. Until 103.



Dorothy Bailey Cline Cluster was a woman full of adventure who "never thought of old age and just went on living and having a good time."

"I can't see any reason why not, I'll either make it or I won't."

Inked in Old Age

Grammyism: "Don't ruin the beautiful skin you were born with. You will regret it."

My grandmother has always been against marking your body, especially with tattoos, and that hatred has carried on with her daughters. They view tattoos as mistakes that you will carry with you forever. What if you hate them in a few years? What will you do when the style of your tattoo changes? The question they ask most of all is, what will you do when you are older and they look awful and you hate them?

I will admit, all of these questions are fair and have a right for concern, but I look at tattoos in a significantly different way. I view them as pieces of art that remind you of what you love, or have once loved. I see them as an expression of one's inner self. For the elderly, I view their tattoos as a reminder of their youth and a reminder of how far they have come.

Sure, there are people who have gotten tattoos that they regret, and that is understandable, but I think that the regret depends on the person. Some people are regretful people, and others just make impulsive decisions, but I don't think that all people who choose to get tattoos should be viewed in that way.

A lot of tattoos are meaningful for a lot of people. Some get tattoos that remind them of their deceased loved ones. Other's get tattoos that represent the meaning of their family or their heritage. Many people, however, get tattoos for the simple fact that they enjoy them. What is so wrong with
that?

I'll admit that it is scary to mark your body with something permanent, but I believe that it adds a level of comfort to some people. Life is not permanent. The majority of relationships in life are not permanent. Hell, even memories aren't guaranteed to be a permanent part of your mind. To people with tattoos, it is comforting to know that when you go to take a shower, it won't wash away. To people with tattoos, it is comforting to know that there is a part of you, and your personality, that no one can take away. To people who mark their bodies, tattoos are so  much more than just 'permanent'.

Sure, overtime your art will fade, but that is just a sign of their age. Their fades are just a reminder of how long they have been down for the ride. For the elderly, the fade of their tattoos is a reminder of how far they have come and how much they have changed over the course of their life.

All in all, tattoos are a choice, and the best decision to some. No matter one's age, self-expression should never be toppled.

Politics Please

Grammyism: "It would have been nice to have seen a woman become president."

Now, more than ever, is the time to pay attention to politics. Despite your political views, it can not be denied that this will be the most talked about and studied election for years to come du to its 'uniqueness'.

Whether we like it or not, History was made with Donald J. Trump becoming president Elect. There has never been a man elected president who has been more unqualified than Donald Trump. He has not held a position or seat in any office, and he was never in the military. Frankly, he is not a politician at all, and perhaps that is what won him the presidency.

I am not here to convince you to like him or not, but I am trying to convince you all that it is important to pay attention, especially now, in a world that is divided.

President Obama recently delivered his Farewell Address. If you have not had a chance to watch it, I highly suggest you do so. I was a powerful and moving address. History has been made. Our first Black President is soon leaving office. On January 20th, we will say goodbye to the man that most of us have grown up with as the leader of our country.

Get ready for the questions your future children and grandchildren will have for you, because believe me, there will be tons. Also, please remember to stay strong throughout these next few weeks. As Ellen DeGeneres always says, be kind to one another.

Goodbye, Folks!!

Grammyisms: "It's hard getting old."

Hello, all! This journey has been fun, but this will be my last post. This blog has been a wonderful experience and has opened the way to a new understanding of old age. This blog also allowed me to explore my creativity in writing.

If you remember why I started this blog, it was to open people's minds, as well as my own, to old age.  I also began this blog to talk about my grandmother, who is my inspiration. Although watching her age has been difficult, due to her memory loss. Today, she was diagnosed with Dementia.

I feel bad that she is losing her mind, but somehow she is happy, and just laughs as she forgets what her diagnosis was. This blog has reminded me of the type of woman I want to be when I am older. I want to be as strong as she is.

Although it is hard to watch someone age, and to see them change, it is also inspiring. I am excited to grow wise and careless of what others think about me. I am excited to see where my life takes me and all that I will experience.

This blog was meant to shine a bright light on old age and all that it has to offer. Just because one is old, it does not mean their life is at a permanent halt.

Old Age Inspiration

Celebrities in Their Younger Years

Grammyism: "She looks different now."

Just for a bit of fun, I wanted to post pictures of older celebrities when they were younger. It is important to remind ourselves, that although they are celebrities, they are people who have gone through the same journey of life as everyone else.

Meryl Streep 

Betty White

 



 Jessica Lange

 Queen Elizabeth (Royal Celebrity)



Susan Sarandon

Old Age Inspiration

Grammyism: "Enjoy it all while you can."

How are the elderly treated in...Mexico?

Grammyism: "We are so lucky we have good lives."

 

Currently, Mexico has an aging population with limited services. Since 1990, the number of citizens aged over 60 has increased 118 percent. Although that is impressive, it is also dangerous. It is said that today, Mexico has approximately 12 million seniors. It is estimated that by 2030, there could be more than 20 million.

 

With a multiplying elderly population, needs multiply as well. Mexico News Daily explains, "Geriatric specialists point out that the difficulties for the growing number of the so-called third age- la tercera edad, as they are known in Mexico- are numerous and the demand for specialized services has far outstripped the ability to meet them."

 

There is one trained specialist for every 22,000 seniors. Reportedly, there should be a specialized doctor for every 2,000 to 2,500. A recent study from the National Institute of Health and Aging in Mexico found that 70 percent of the elderly do not receive the medical services they need.

 

Mexican seniors are at a significantly high risk for confronting a number of diseases, such as

hypertension, cancer, and diabetes. It is estimated that over the next decade, up to 30 percent of seniors will suffer from cancer or other critical illnesses.

 

It is admitted that the government in Mexico is not doing their job in making sure that the elderly are well cared for. Mexico News Daily explains that "public policy hasn't kept up with the pace of popular growth."

 

Mexico clearly has work to do pertaining to care and more efficient medial attention for their elderly. If care for the elderly is represented for the elderly in Mexico soon, then hopefully next generations will understand the importance and do the same for their parents and grandparents.

 

Love is Blind to Age

 

Grammyism: "I never truly loved any man, but I came close with Newt. He broke my heart"

I am making this post to remind us all that we don't have to be young to fall in love or to stay in love.  

My grandmother never found her soul mate and she has stopped looking to find love because she is old. Part of me feels as though she has never been capable of loving a man with all her heart, and quite frankly, she is picky. 

Although my Grandmother has never found the love of her life in terms of a man, she has found true love in her family, which is all some people need.

Even though my Grammy hasn't found true love, that is not the case for a lot of people.

I have seen so many old couples, who have either been committed to each other for decades, or those who have just met. I can promise you, no one is ever too old to find love.

It is a beautiful privilege to witness unrelenting love, and to witness an older couple continue to protect and take care of each other. The most comforting thing is to see an older couple still I love, reverting back to their youth.

Although they know they will soon lose one another, I like to believe that they find comfort in the fact that they spent their entire lives together. For those who just started dating again in their old age, I find courageous and brave. They don't let their fear of losing a loved one stop their pursuit for happiness and love.

Love does not, and should never, discriminate against sex, race, and age.





Ohhh, Grammy!

Grammyism: "I was fresh when I was younger. My father always gave me the belt."

Just a little picture of my Grammy when she was a baby. Her hair looks the same!

 

 

Old Age Inspriaration

"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."

 

 

Wisdom From Great Writers on EveryYear of Life: Joshua Prager

Grammyism: "Oh my!"

In this video, journalist Joshua Prager presents his audience with great writer's outlooks of life, and the sequence of aging that every human has in common. Every day we are growing older, our skin becoming just a bit more wrinkled than the day before. In this talk, Prager helps to provide comfort to the inevitability of aging, and the true beauty of life through the eyes of famous writers.

http://www.ted.com/talks/joshua_prager_wisdom_from_great_writers_on_every_year_of_life

Old Age Inspiration

Hold Your Life Up to Me

Grammyism: "I worked on tobacco fields for two summers when I was fourteen."

Although it may be strange, and not often thought about, hands say a lot about a person. The jewelry that one chooses to ornate their hands with. The color of nail polish one wear, or whether they wear none at all. If there is dirt under one's nails or calluses on their fingertips, a hard worker may become the final assumption.

With age, the skin on hands becomes, thin, fragile, and wrinkled. The protruding structure of one's veins becomes visible through the skin.

To tell how old a person may be, I often look fist at their hands. For me, the appearance of one's hands is the first indicator of age, experience, struggle. Simply put, the structure of hands represents the structure of one's life.

Inspirational Oldie of the Week: Winifred Pristell

Grammyism: "I used to have beautiful legs. Now they are discolored with marks."

Winifred Pristell, at the age of 71, is a professional power lifter in Seattle, Washington. She has only been involved in lifting competitions for about two years and is the World Association of Benchers and Dead Lifters champion. Winifred currently hold the World, National, and State records for single lift bench press for her age group and weight class.

Winifred is a grandmother of 2 and a great grandmother of 3. She was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After a failed marriage, Winifred lost the athleticism she had in her youth and became obese. At the age of 48, her daughter encouraged her to lose weight and that is when weight lifting became of interest to Winifred.

The age of 60 is when she became serious about weight lifting as a competitive sport. Winifred ended up meeting her mentor, Jim Schall, at her local Gold's Gym. Today, Winifred is the "Triple Crown" holder for bench pressing in her class, and she does not plan to stop there.

Winifred explained, "You are never and through, because there is always another, heavier free weight waiting for you and you always strive to do the next step up and keep breaking records."

Despite the arthritis that Winifred has in the soles of her feet, her back, and her legs, she continues to strive. I have absolutely no excuse to not exercise, whoops!

"Find something that you love and keep on doing it, be consistent and never give up. I'm never going to stop!"

A Poem of Old Age, By Phyllis Mckormick

What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?
What are you thinking .. . when you’re looking at me?
A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food .. . … . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . .’I do wish you’d try!’
Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . … lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?
Is that what you’re thinking?. .Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse .you’re not looking at me.
I’ll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another
A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he’ll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me . . to see I don’t mourn.
At Fifty, once more, .. …Babies play ’round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future … . . . . I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . And the love that I’ve known.
I’m now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.
It’s jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.
And I’m loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.
Not a cranky old man .
Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. …. . ME!!

Eddie Griggs: Movie Fanatic

Grammyism: "Misty always knows when I am sad." - Referring to her favorite cat

"Hey, Madison. How are you doing?"

Those are the first words that always come out of Eddie's mouth as I cash him out at box office. He follows that statement with a reminder that the movie theater is his second home, which is not an exaggeration. He usually comes to see a movie once or twice a week, always asking for the senior discount.

Last week, Eddie saw Passengers with a man I believe to be his son. He never has a bad thing to say about any movie. I'm not sure if it is the movies that Eddie loves, or the experience.

I don't know why, but Eddie has truly touched my heart. Whenever he walks into the theater, my eyes light up and my entire day is truly made.

Maybe its the branded smile on his face or his kind demeanor. It may also be the simple fact that he always addresses me by my name. Or maybe its his will to find joy in his old age. Clearly, the movie theater is where Eddie finds his joy. Perhaps the movie theater is where he finds his purpose.

I have never asked him why he loves going to the movies so much because the answer may be simple: He just might enjoy movies. To be honest, I want his purpose to remain a mystery because it gives me hope that in old age, we will all find something that brings us joy. It gives me hope that we will all find purpose in something so simple.

"It was nice to see ya again, Madison."