THE thrust of this letter is on our senior citizens, but with special mention of the growing number of centenarians in our midst.
“Age is a blessing”, “Age is honour”, “Age is from God”, are just some of the pronouncements that have come from these very special folks whenever they speak about their life’s journey, as to what it had taken for them to scale such a privileged summit. One must have observed the pride and triumphalism too. By the way, from what age is one categorised as attaining old age or senior citizen status, the latter term of description preferable these days? This is somewhat debatable, especially in this country, where administratively public sector workers are retired at age 55 years. In this instance, one should become eligible for pension, providing the statutory requirements are met, but social assistance pension is accessed from 65 years of age. So is age really a number, as the well-known saying is? Or is it really a case as to one’s mental and physical outlook? It is said too that one is as old as one feels. As a young lad, I definitely viewed old age as a signal of cessation of life’s joys. Old age was meant as a preparation for the great beyond. Of course, I was influenced by what I observed at that very young phase of life: many old men for example, secured their trousers with a string, and where a belt was used, it was passed around the waist rather than via the loop, proper.
The senior aged woman, too, took on a rather resigned look as well, as if waiting on the over- the- river call. That type of persona, I concluded, did not match a human who was in the main of life. But I must be cautious here, for I grew up in a depressed locale and those were the examples that I beheld. But I do recall also seeing similarly aged persons fashionably attired and even when not out for an occasion, presented an entirely neat, personal appearance. Many of this group, though, displayed the usual infirmities that are synonymous with advance years.
But over the years as I matured, a more balanced and well informed understanding of old age was gathered. I slowly realised that once a human continues physical life, that age will come; that becoming old did not mean self-exclusion from the happiness of life, particularly if one maintained reasonably good health; and that many advanced-age couples still engaged in healthy intimacy. I even recalled a septuagenarian fathering a child with a much younger female. The view I held as a youngster was that old people did not have sex.
Today’s observation is quite different. Of course, there are still senior citizens, but many are trendy. Our senior aged women, for example, visit the cosmetologist very often, requesting similar services as their younger counterparts; also their dress style is in keeping with current vogue generally, but not indulging in more extremes of the young.
It must be pointed out that women are aging more gracefully than their counterparts did decades ago. The older man not to be left out grooms often, and wears the latest male fashion. Factors responsible, range from better economic affordability, exposure to foreign travel, to, being more conscious of the need to have a presentable outlook.
Some of the above category will, once good physical and mental health permit, in the future, hopefully join the august group of centenarians of which this country, faced with so many challenges, can be proud of.
This group of very aged citizens must be congratulated for having reached this coveted milestone. Not to forget the many relatives who have been giving care and love to them. I have never interacted with a centenarian; but I often wonder what it is like to live all these years. I think about the biblical figures: Adam, Enoch, Methuselah and Abraham, all multiple centenarians, as reported.
Don’t these honoured folks become tired of living? Maybe they do, though I have never actually read any of them expressing such a feeling. In describing their life journey to this grand stage, most of them have spoken about contentment and living a rather quiet life, combined with a steadfast religious belief.
It is commendable on the part of the media to highlight the arrival at such a milestone, and each year after for the respective honorees. But would it not be better for this exclusive club to be celebrated in a more national manner? How about a week designated as National Centenarian Week? Activities can include press coverage – more or less television for those who are still physically and mentally capable, where they can be highlighted. Surely, they must have something to impart that will inspire most of us. A medal for centenarians can be awarded by the state on behalf of the nation.
Finally, a little fete can be funded by the private sector and other corporate bodies. I do believe that such a gesture will foster a better level of appreciation and respect for the aged of this country.