By: Mark Clark, Executive Director
Sometime in our fourth or fifth decade of life, many of us ask ourselves, "What will it be like when I'm old?" I began to ponder this when my knees started to object to my running habits in my 40s. As we celebrate (or dread) our birthdays that mark the decade transitions, the picture becomes clearer. We all got that AARP application in the mail to honor our 50th birthday. And if you're like me, you promptly tossed it in the trash, saying, "How dare they, I'm not old!" (Not to disparage the AARP—they really are a great organization.) Rest assured, you 50-year-olds, you'll realize the benefit of being an AARP member a few years down the road.
Setting aside the fact that nobody is guaranteed a tomorrow, we begin to experience aging in different ways, and, if you're lucky, you have a full and rich life ahead of you into your seventh, eighth, or ninth decade and beyond.
Thanks to my work at our senior center, I am both a spectator and a participant in the aging process. Every day, I observe the journey of others while quietly contemplating my own. I don't know how I will age, what challenges I will face, or when my journey will end. But through my work at Montco SAAC, I experience aging vicariously, seeing firsthand the diverse ways it unfolds in the lives of those around me.
At our senior center, aging is anything but predictable. It's not just about the number of years lived; it's about how those years are lived—and yes, a little about whether you chose the right parents! If you lucked out in the genetic lottery, you might have the right genes to become a centenarian. But genetics is only part of the story. I've met people well into their 90s with sharp minds but bodies that struggle to keep up. Conversely, I've seen others in their 70s dealing with cognitive decline despite their physical health. How aging manifests itself seems almost random, like a roll of the dice. My 70-somthing dad used to complain about his aches and pains. He then quipped that getting old is better than the alternative. For most this is true.
But here's what I've come to understand: While aging is inevitable, the experience of it can be shaped by our environment, choices, and the community around us. And that's where Montco SAAC comes in. We provide a space where every senior, no matter how they're aging, feels valued, engaged, and connected. Whether someone is healthy in mind and body, faces physical challenges with a clear mind or cognitive struggles in an otherwise healthy body, our center is a community that caters to their needs.
For those fully healthy in both body and mind, we offer something just as essential: connection. In today's world, where so many older adults live alone, the sense of belonging that comes from friendships and community is vital. Research shows that loneliness can have severe impacts on mental health and lifespan for seniors. At our centers, we create an environment where seniors can form meaningful relationships, share experiences, and feel part of something larger than themselves.
We believe in the power of shared experiences and the joy that comes from forming new friendships and learning new things. In this way, we're addressing not only the physical aspects of aging but also the emotional and psychological ones, helping our members find meaning and fulfillment in their later years.
Being part of Montco SAAC has taught me that aging is a profoundly personal journey, one that I am both observing and experiencing. While I can't control how I will age, I find comfort in knowing that by fostering connections, friendships, and a sense of belonging, I'm contributing to something profound—a community where people don't just grow older; they grow richer in experience, wisdom, and life itself.
Comments