wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] M Dunn from westchester November 28, 2007 - 08:16AM

  What I fear most about getting old is being pushed into a demographic called 'senior citizens'. The term is so lame and soooo patronizing. I've been caring for my elderly parents for several years and I know that getting old is more than just a state of mind but they're not senior anything, they're just old. The term senior is just so kitchsy and derogatory and marginalizing. Its turns into slobbering when attached to certain pronouns like "...our... seniors."

  I guess some people do age into 'senior citizens' but most of us, I think, just grow into older people. Maybe we could use that as a term to identify those of a certain age--- its objective, respectful, inclusive, and factual. Older people. It kind of has a ring to it, don't you think?

  
  
• [2] Lin Young from St. Petersburg, FL November 28, 2007 - 12:49PM

  I notice how people in their 60s are treated by society in general and I fear that if I live that long that I’ll be marginalized too, merely because of age. Women are marginalized in this society to begin with and age discrimination starts when a woman turns 40, look at how hard it is for women to get roles in movies after they are 50, they are just discarded as being of no value – with a few rare exceptions.

  The whole idea of aging is crazy to begin with since we all begin aging/dying the moment we are born. So why is it that when people reach a certain age in this society they are called names, such as senior citizen, and suddenly people view them as having one foot in the grave, being insignificant with nothing of value to say or do and being suddenly less competent? Who wants to be classified as a senior citizen if that's the case? My local newspaper has a senior citizen supplement and every article is either dealing with what to do about some chronic medical condition, or what people can do when the grandkids come to visit or some other lame thing. I don’t know. I can’t imagine that if I reach 60 or 65 that I’m suddenly going to change what interests me in life. Does that really happen? It sounds horrible.

  
  
• [3] Secreteights November 28, 2007 - 01:01PM

  Not to be too harsh here, but aren't people in their older years (to be politic) considered to be just like children, dependent on those in their middle years, for care and direction. Obviously not all older people get there at the same time, but they get there (as will I I'm sure!). Isn't this the source of all our fear; the return to dependence on others? Ok....Discuss.

  
  
• [4] Robert from North Arlington, NJ November 28, 2007 - 01:11PM

  A teacher for decades, I am recently retired. Having spent so much enjoyable time with the kids, I am still very much a part of their world, though the calendar tells me I shouldn’t be. I guess I should grow up, but I don’t know how. Am I to be envied or should I go for help?

  The oldest teenager in New Jersey

  
  
• [5] John from Brooklyn November 28, 2007 - 01:23PM

  GOD BLESS THESE SENIORS! The baby boomers (I am 48) can not hold a candle to these people, their values, their past, what they've witnessed and enjoyed. My parents are deceased - Dad was 71, Mom was 78 - I lament their passing as my parents, to be sure. But I also mourn all they represented and what they passed on to me. It is inestimable.

  
  
• [6] Lonnie from Brooklyn November 28, 2007 - 01:29PM

  On the question of honest talk about Life & Eventual Death-- Easier said than done.

  I remember taking my elderly father to his doctor and sitting in waiting room full of old people (Usually women) And Hearing weeping and sobbing from behind the receptionist followed by a hurried exit by a stricken elderly patient. So many people become elderly and suddenly camp out at the Doctor's office with the unspoken plea: I want to Live! I Don't want to Die.

  The effect it had on me was to be sure that I make the choices I want to make and DO the things I want to and CAN do so that I don't have the regrets when I too, turn elderly. But these life decisions must be made in your 30's and 40's-- not your 60's and 70's when your own decisions may not be in your hands.

  I am in my 40's now.

  
  
• [7] Pavel Gurvich from Norwalk, CT November 28, 2007 - 01:34PM

  Sorry, I disagree with your guests. May be because I'm an immigrant from USSR but I am 72 and I feel better, healthier, stronger than I've ever been in my life. I've just biked to the stores to buy grosseries and feel great.

  I did run my first NYC marathon at 60. My doctor promised me that my knees will be sour for couple of months. Contrary to this I was out of any pain in three days.

  So I do not know what Lilian is talking about. I lead bike rides for Sound Cycling Club and kids who are half of my age can not catch with me.

  I do not take any drugs BTW.

  
  
• [8] mc November 28, 2007 - 01:34PM

  Could the doctor mention where one could see the video he made about treating people with dementia?

  
  
• [9] Oldie but Goodie November 28, 2007 - 01:39PM

  I am 62 and since I am in good health, I feel fine. I'm self-employed and want to continue to work as long as I'm able to. I take advantage of senior discounts--I'm not proud!--yet don't feel old at all. I think it's a state of mind and we don't have to take on what society foists on us. I was amused that Lillian Rubin at 84 is no longer a sexual being--so what if the doctor thought she was flirting when she expressed admiration toward him?! I aim to feel sexual/sensual as long as possible--it's a life force, not necessarily simply biology.