15 Sep The Younger Heart in the Elderly Mind
Elderly bodies sometimes carry a tragic burden: a younger heart.
Everyone has heard the phrase, ‘Mutton Dressed as Lamb’ or ‘There’s Life in the Old Dog Yet’ – not always in a complimentary context. Such expressions are usually used to describe an elderly person, probably experiencing elderly problems and trying to push away the unpleasantness of advanced age by emulating a much younger person: a younger version of oneself.
A prettier and more energetic model of the elderly reality is certainly something everyone might like to experience, if only science would hurry up and make such a thing possible. Unfortunately, life just does not work that way and elderly problems set in despite our resolve not to have anything to do with them!
The quest for the fountain of youth is some way from complete, even in the modern age of cosmetic enhancement and plastic surgery. Any number of processes designed to halt the ageing process might be tried with limited success but none will prevent the inevitable stampede and triumph of time over physical endurance.
From late middle age, the human form deteriorates in body and brain. Sometimes, this deterioration goes at a dignified pace in time with the gentle onset of all the elderly problems associated with ‘getting on in life’. For some, however, the body breaks down more quickly and more seriously, as a result of any number of factors: poor diet; insufficient exercise; ill health or stress. The mind stays alert, active and eager to interact socially with much younger companions, sometimes with disastrous results.
The unfortunate victims of an accelerated ageing process are left wondering how to cope with the elderly problems brought on by wrinkles and crow’s feet and may sometimes attempt to back pedal in an effort to regain lost years. The elderly problems encountered during this process cause people extreme emotional discomfort as they struggle with an active mind inside a tired and worn outer casing.
People who display the misguided antics associated with being ‘The Youngest Swinger In Town’ should be helped rather than ridiculed, as quite often their emotions are in a state of panic as they fight against the elderly problems they are ill equipped to resolve by themselves.
The reputation of being young at heart is a complimentary one and not to be confused with the foolish and sometimes embarrassing behaviour indulged in when elderly problems force a lonely individual into masquerading as a younger person to recapture youthful sensations best laid to rest. Elderly problems present themselves in thousands of combinations which should be addressed carefully and compassionately to achieve peace of mind for any elderly youngster suffering hidden agonies associated with an unnatural ageing process.
The Psychological Article on The Younger Heart in the Elderly Mind is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of coaching suggestions on how to alleviate elderly problems. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.
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