We’ll all go, we’ll all grow old. In this great transformation of the body and mind into old age, there is a breaking point that can become problematic, it is the moment when the work routine changes, either because retirement has been achieved or because age limits prevent us from performing the activities. we were used to it.
In some cases, this type of situation becomes really serious, our grandparents or parents begin to feel that they are no longer useful and go through severe periods of depression, mostly alone and, in the family, begin to be seen. as an incomprehensible presence.
- The person ages with life.
- People who have succeeded in living a fulfilling life can generally accept age changes more naturally.
- Those who have unresolved conflicts.
- Frustrations that have not been overcome and who have cultivated complicated relationships over the years.
- Will have more difficulty getting older.
In the latter cases, lack of activity becomes a kind of trigger, it is no longer possible to distract them with work and daily commitments, nor is it possible to make major changes in routine, and leisure puts dissatisfaction with life. .
This situation is particularly difficult for people who have been very active or who value productivity above all, for them it is like dying in life. Especially if they didn’t cultivate activities of interest and hobbies either.
People around them and love them see the elders whining and have mixed feelings, a little guilt appears when witnessing this sad condition, but at the same time, the frustration arises of not being able to help them more effectively. its facet of doom: it ages and, inexorably, a progressive decline imposed by nature appears. You can’t make much more significant changes in that regard.
Feeling useful and capable is one of the secrets of the elderly to be able to face the last stage of life.
Idleness is not a residual time, but one of the most important dimensions of life, is it during the calls?Free time ? , we have more options to get to know each other, recognize ourselves and experience ourselves as integral beings, this is especially important in old age, when free time becomes a rule and no longer an exception.
The answer to what to do with free time is not the same for each person, it depends strictly on the motivations, the interests, the tastes of each, if we are talking about an eldest person sociable, nothing better than facilitating contact. with groups his age. This type of community is very common in churches. Old clubs and reading or exercise groups are also common.
If you are someone who is only comfortable with your family or who because of their physical condition is not easy to leave home, the best alternative is to motivate them to develop a condition that they can practice without major problems. manual and artistic work and reading are good options.
In any case, the important thing is to design a structured routine, you must include a time for certain productive activities in the day to day, it is best that it is always done at the same time, with two or three hours a day is sufficient. We need to include types of work ranging from collaboration to organizing part of the house to tasks that stimulate creativity.
With a not too big effort you can help an older person feel useful again, this will be positively reflected in your mood and bring quality and meaning to your last years of life.
Image courtesy of ANGELOUX