This spring I was part of the Action Community Engagement (ACE) research project with other older Forest Park residents, which has the goal of reducing ageism. We discussed negative and positive attitudes about growing older. One of the negative myths we discussed was that all older people are frail. I know that’s misleading and false for many. My own experience as an active senior working with other seniors has shown that’s not usually true.
I want to share my philosophy because I still feel in spirit like the person I was in my teens, college, and 20s-50s. I just have more mileage now, but lots of insight, wisdom, personality, and skills. In my early 60s I am in better physical condition than in my 20s because I improved my diet and exercise more, thus intentionally improving my health.
Diet is vitally important at this stage of life. I eat vegetables, light fruits, fewer carbs. I keep moving, with exercise like daily walking and biking in the summer, tennis and strength training in the gym. And I take my required medications and multiple vitamins. Diet and exercise make me feel and look better; most people don’t believe my age or my level of energy. I am fit, strong from weight training, dancing and daily walking. I am not considered frail, senile or weak.
I retired early nearly two years ago from careers in Section 8 housing, property management, leasing, and social service of over 25 years. I still work as a hairstylist part-time, after nearly 30 years, and volunteer with Beyond Hunger twice a month.
I love meeting new people, live-music venues, fun activities, time with my two granddaughters, age 2 and 3, and my three kids who are all grown up. I recently returned from a whirlwind 10-day visit to Italy where our travel group were on the go, sightseeing every day.
I would say it’s been a full life and more to come — not bad for a senior!
E. Carol Fuller
Forest Park