Because there’s so much good info in the links in this post, and because so many of you are at the point of thinking about retirement or are already in retirement years where getting old is a reality, or even those who aren’t there yet, are caring for aging parents, I wanted to re-post this from earlier this week. Please click on the links and get involved in the discussions. There’s a lot of helpful info there!
It seems that as I get older, time passes more quickly – almost so quickly it’s hard to believe.
There are days when we talk about something that happened and we’ll think it happened last week or a couple of weeks ago, and when we get to checking, it’s been several months . . . or longer. Likewise, the future turns into history way too quickly!
We’re all getting older, and the older I get, the more I realize how precious each day is and the more I want to be sure I’m doing everything I can to make sure that I grow old “well”.
So what inspires me to want to grow old well? It’s my love of life. I enjoy every minute of every day and I want to continue to do so. Not only do I want to have a lot of years left, but I want to have a lot of good years left!
There are so many things I have left that I want to do . . . not only quilting and knitting but with a new grandchild on the way, I want her to have some of the same fond memories I have of my grandparents. I want her to remember seeing me growing my own garden and canning vegetables and getting down on the floor and playing with her and better yet . . . getting up when we’re done!
My parents are an example of folks who have grown old with beauty and grace.
My mom is a retired school teacher and she reads a lot! She recently bought a longarm quilting machine. She’s active in the local quilt guild.
My dad still has a huge garden, loves the computer and technology. Here he is playing with his new iPod Nano.
I’m counting on having good “grow old gracefully genes”. But, I want to do everything I can do to have the best old age I can have — healthy, happy and fun years!
The things that we’re personally doing around here to ensure that will happen are:
- Eating healthy – I’m trying to grow a lot of our food and buy healthy foods – more fresh and less processed foods.
- Exercise – Not only am I more aware of the need for an exercise program, I’m trying to stay more active and stay busy, both physically and mentally.
- Being Careful – As I get older, I notice I can’t do some of the things the same way I once could. We needed steps for one of the side doors of the shop and at one time, we would have moved a big rock over there and used that but decided to put real steps with a hand rail. One fall could be a real setback as I get older.
- Be Aware and Pro-Active – As I watch my parents grow older, I’m more aware of the changes I face now and in the future. By using my smart phone, I keep a list of things I want to discuss with my doctor so hopefully, any potential “old age” issues can be dealt with before becoming serious issues.
Therefore I’m excited about the new “Get Old” platform by Pfizer. We’re all getting older and it’s nice to have all the help we can get.
At “Get Old.” we can find inspiration and information to encourage people at any stage of the aging process to discuss, celebrate, and empower themselves about the aging process. Armed with camaraderie and information, we can improve the quality of our aging process, currently a major issue in our society.
How it Works
Get Old is about forming a community, asking people how they feel about growing older, and inviting people to share an emotion that expresses their feelings either through a story, a photo, or a video.
Connecting with people of all ages coming to terms with aging in a way that feels authentic and exciting will provide a support system and allow people to find pertinent tips and tools about how to face aging physically, emotionally, and mentally in a positive and proactive manner.
Pfizer knows we’re living longer, and they want to be sure we have the tools to live better, too. Living longer means more opportunities to have adventures or to rest, to encounter successes or failures, to live. And embracing all of those facets of aging allows us to live life to the fullest.
How about you answer these questions: What do you do to get old well? For your body? For your mind?
There are 13 bloggers participating in this Get Old program sponsored by Pfizer. Three winners will be chosen from the combined comments from all 13 blogs. Each of the three winners will receive a $500 SpaFinder Gift Card.
For your convenience, here are highlights from the Official Rules for the Sweepstakes. Please note by submitting an entry you are agreeing to the full Official Rules, available here.
No duplicate comments.
Please do not mention or imply any pharmaceutical products in your posts. Posts that mention or imply a pharmaceutical product will be subject to removal.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt at the bottom of this post.*
b) Read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
*Note: if you want to comment but either (i) are not eligible or (ii) do not want to enter the giveaway, please include something similar to the following statement in your comment: “I do not wish to enter the sweepstakes.”
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Medical professionals who are licensed (or are otherwise authorized) to prescribe medications are not eligible to enter. While BlogHer encourages you to share your thoughts and experiences about getting older, comments discussing medical conditions and/or medical products are not permitted, may be deleted, and are invalid entries. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
This sweepstakes runs from 6/18 to 8/31.
Be sure to check out the BlogHer.com Get Old page to find out more about the Get Old platform and read how other bloggers feel about aging!
For your comments to count towards the sweepstakes drawing, please go back to this post and leave your comments there. Thanks! And, may we all grow old with beauty and grace!