Reflections on Change

Mostly because they feel so comfy, I tend to wear some clothes more often than others. That was exactly the case with a summer-weight night shirt that I had for years. I kept putting it away in September and getting it out again in the spring.

            This year, however, there was no way I could justify putting it away again for its annual cold weather slumber. It had holes in it, holes that were getting bigger, so I had to throw it out. I had to be strong, accept this change in my life and go on.

            Life is indeed the management of change. Some are of little consequence, like my night shirt, but others have a more profound effect.

            One of my sons and his family recently loss their beloved dog. It has been a period of grief and adjustment to a changing reality.  On hearing the news, another son wisely said that they had gotten a gift. The remark took me a little by surprise, especially since I was also grieving in my own way the loss of a wonderful animal who was my friend whenever I visited. When we face a loss it is a gift that helps us grow in wisdom, my son added. He’s right, of course. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, as the saying goes.

            After the grieving, the family will grow to a point where memories of their dog will make them smile and realize how fortunate they were to have had the animal for a number of years.

            So it is with every change in our lives. We eventually accept and turn our attention to the new road ahead and its possibilities.  

            Of course, as we age, it seems that change becomes more frequent. We all experience subtle changes in our body, for example. Things we did without thinking have a way of becoming somewhat more challenging. At one point or another most of us realize that we need “longer arms” to read fine print. Or we become aware of our limitations when it comes to staying up late. And then we often have to face change in our relationships as children, siblings or friends move away. Some even pass on.

            We accept these because we realize that life is unfolding has it has always done and will continue to do. And we become wiser because of it.

Alzheimer’s Disease
September is World Alzheimer’s Disease Month. Simply hearing the name of this disease makes middle-aged people wonder when, not if, they will fall prey to this most common form of dementia. Although someone is diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s every 68 seconds in the U.S. not everyone will get the disease, and the good news is that there is evidence that some strategies can help reduce the risk of getting the disease.

            Good clean living, as my grandmother used to say, could help reduce the risks of having Alzheimer’s. Anything we do to keep the body healthy is also good for the brain. That certainly entails avoiding smoking, drugs and alcohol, and exercising regularly. A lady I know who will soon be 89 years young and is very healthy has a simple philosophy: move. Too many people don’t move enough, she says, especially after they retire. She, on the other hand, takes care of cleaning her house which is always sparkling clean. She is also an avid gardener in the good months. In short, she is always moving and as result is reaping remarkable benefits.

            That lady also believes that eating a healthy diet makes a great deal of difference when it comes to avoiding decline. There is clear evidence that she may be right. Everyone should have a plant based diet that includes lots of veggies and fruit along with lean, good quality proteins while avoiding added sugar and transfats. My lady friend limits her intake of red meat and eats lots of fish, and there is always a bowl of nuts on her dining room table to munch on during the day.

            Experts agree that in order the reduce the risks of getting Alzheimer’s, people should challenge their brain every day. There are so many ways of accomplishing this. Learning something new is high on that list. My lady friend keeps busy with painting in the months when she is unable to garden; she started to take lessons at 70, and has produced some lovely pieces. A man in his 60s I know makes it a point to learn a new word each and every day. There are so many things to learn and do, it’s a pity not everyone wants to participate. Doing crossword puzzles regularly is something I’ve been doing for decades, and I always learn something new.     

            Alzheimer’s results in short-term memory impairment. But if you occasionally forget things—have a senior moment, or a senior fart as my friend Barb calls it—it does not mean that you suffer from the disease. According to experts, a mature brain tends to experience moments of rest. These pauses are real and are the reason we experience occasional memory blanks.

Research to find a cure and new treatments for Alzheimer’s continue so there is hope for the future. If you or someone you know is affected, talk to your doctor and reach out to resources in your community. 

Researchers with the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center and Rutgers University have found that vitamin D insufficiency among the elderly is highly correlated with accelerated cognitive decline and impaired performance such as memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The effect is “substantial,” with individuals with low vitamin D declining at a rate three times faster than those with adequate vitamin D levels.
            It would be wise for boomers to talk to their doctors about vitamin D.

 

 

Madness

Well, it’s official, retailers have gone mad! I was in my local shopping mall yesterday afternoon and simply could not believe my eyes when I saw store clerks unpacking Christmas decorations and filling shelves. It’s definitely getting out of hand. After all since it’s mid-September there’s three and a half months to go before Christmas. Why can’t retailers wait until Halloween has come and gone before enticing us with Yule fare?

            I can only imagine how young mothers must dance around reality when their youngsters get all excited about Santa in September. Can the young ones really anticipate a holiday for that length of time? I think not.

            At least at the end of November colorful decorations begin appearing everywhere outside so that everyone is on the same page. How can Christmas be a concern long before the annual parade of Halloween costumes appears for trick or treating. All I can say is that I feel sorry for youngsters who must be all mixed up when they see Halloween costumes and Santa suits displayed side by side.

            I must be getting old, but the whole Christmas in September irritates me. Like many of you, I’m sure, I remember the days when Christmas fever hit in November for retailers. In those days we weren’t sick and tired of Christmas by the time December came along.

            But now with Christmas already invading stores in September, what will be displayed in December? Easter eggs and bunnies? Or perhaps beach wear and toys for summer?

            At some point it becomes ridiculous!

 

Hoorah for Grandparents

I must apologize for stating in last week’s blog that Grandparents’ Day was last weekend. It has been brought to my attention that it is in fact this coming Sunday, September 13. All of us who are grandparents owe it to ourselves to celebrate.

            And we do have a lot to celebrate: Grandparents add a great deal to the joy of family life. Who does not remember their grandparents being the instigators of special moments in their lives: going to their house for Sunday dinner or for special occasions like Christmas, or taking a walk in the park with a grandfather who imparted the wisdom of his years, or learning to cook or sew with a patient grandmother. Now it’s our turn to fill our grandchildren’s basket of memories.

            Grandparents may be more “hip” today, more “with it”, i.e. communicating electronically with their grandchildren rather than through snail mail, but that has not changed the familial bond which is still very much cherished by both the older and younger generation. After all, grandparents fulfill a role no one else can.

            We, as grandparents, influence the younger ones’ way of looking at the world. We give the same unconditional love their parents do, but we let the parents dictate everyday actions while we have the time to answer questions (even those impossible to answer such as how old God is); to tell tales of the past (even tall tales at times!) that delight; to tell them about our own grandparents; to let our grandchildren express their worries and pains; to show them practical skills, etc. In short, we are role models and coaches who complete our grandchildren’s lives on an array of levels.

            That’s worth celebrating, don’t you think?

            Of course, Grandparents’ Day is still very much a milestone people skip over, so it’s up to all of us who have grandchildren to get our trumpets out and spread the word. It’s more than time grandparents got the recognition they deserve.

 

Welcoming Autumn

In the large park around the corner from my house, every spring the city puts up what I like to call condos for birds. These large bird houses all in a row have three levels each with openings on four sides. The sweet sounds of the avian population living there for the summer are always delightful.  But as I witnessed this morning, now that the nights are quickly cooling, the sounds are gone and the birds enjoying life in a warmer climate.

Although summer is not yet over and the days are still very warm, the empty bird condos are to me a first indication that autumn is well on its way. A second is certainly the small leaves that are quietly—and almost with apology—starting to break away from their perch and scatter to the ground.  They do so before the trees have had time to put on their annual colourful show which will slowly take place over the next few weeks.  Each of the four seasons heralds change of course, but the change brought on by autumn seems to me to be somewhat bolder. And perhaps it needs to be to prepare us for the cold wind of winter not far behind.

I like autumn. The less oppressive and less humid air is welcomed after the summer heat so that walks in the country can be longer. It’s also a time when busyness returns: people are back at work, kids are in school, adult classes and group activities of all stripes are starting up again. I find that the increased activity brings with it a new vitality and new challenges. That’s always a plus for us who are less involved in the traditional work scene and have less family responsibility. Far from being a time to deplore, autumn opens up so many opportunities if we take the time to look for them, whether it’s learning about history, the arts, music, or computers; rediscovering a musical instrument; going back to bowling or curling; taking a yoga class; looking for volunteering opportunities; or writing the family history in order to leave a precious heritage for children, grandchildren and beyond.  It’s a time to get going.

Have a great autumn and spread the word that this year September 6^th is Grandparents’ Day.

(Photo: FreeFoto.com)