What a depressing outing!
By Fleur
@Fleura (29129)
United Kingdom
November 9, 2017 4:21am CST
A little while ago I was helping out at an event, manning a stall for an organisation where I volunteer. The event was a sort of ‘Freshers’ Fair’ for the over 50s and it sounded like a good idea. Basically an outlet for various organisations to promote themselves/ get noticed by older people, and I can imagine there may be people who have retired or whose children have grown up who then find themselves with time on their hands and aren’t sure what to do, who might be interested in helping out at public institutions, going back to education or taking up a new sport, for example.
The reality, though, was rather different. More than half of the stalls, and the ones with the biggest banners, were health-related. There was the stroke association, disability awareness, organisations for the blind, the deaf, disability advocates, dementia care, assisted living, heart disease… I could go on. It was like “Look what’s in store for you now you’ve hit 50!”
There were other organisations there as well, with opportunities for volunteering or taking part in local museums or theatres, the University of the Third Age and a couple of sports-related groups, but they tended to be more low-key and it was all the health issues that dominated the scene.
I mean of course I understand that these are all important issues and people need to be able to get the right help, but surely at only 50 there are far more positive things ahead as well?
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2017.
13 people like this
12 responses
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
9 Nov 17
I currently don't have time to volunteer...I'm to busy being caregiver to my elderly father. In six months I'm moving.....far away. The first thing I intend to do is volunteer with the local seniors home with portering residents. If that isn't an option there is a local volunteer action committee I can get involved with.
Watching my elderly fathe has been educational. I'm 61....I don't feel old.
4 people like this
@Fleura (29129)
• United Kingdom
9 Nov 17
So you're swapping caring for one elderly relative for caring for a bunch of elderly strangers?
I know what you mean about 'educational'; fortunately neither of my parents really hit 'old age' until they were at least 85. After that though I was rather taken aback (and I suspect they were too) at how fast things could go downhill.
1 person likes this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
27 Jan 18
@Morleyhunt I know exactly what you are going through. I was caregiver for my dad and my mom. It wasn't easy at all.
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
9 Nov 17
Wow! What a wonderful event that is! I`m glad you had a chance to help out on events like that. 
I understand your feeling of discovering those kind of things but we have to face the truth that turning age 50 is a start of our health problem 
but it`s up to us if we let it happen without trying anything to be healthy. Right? That event will surely a big help for elders who needed it
I understand your feeling of discovering those kind of things but we have to face the truth that turning age 50 is a start of our health problem but it`s up to us if we let it happen without trying anything to be healthy. Right? That event will surely a big help for elders who needed it 3 people like this
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
9 Nov 17
@Fleura I got your point but I think it`s only for prevention purposes Don`t get depressed my friend People needed to be aware on how and what to do if their health starts to be different and can do something about it before worst things happens
Don`t get depressed my friend People needed to be aware on how and what to do if their health starts to be different and can do something about it before worst things happens 2 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
26 Jan 18
@m_audrey6788 It really is a good thing to go to as they have everything under one roof and many people to answer any questions a person can have.
2 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
26 Jan 18
You are right Judy. The businesses are just waiting for us to kick the bucket so they can get some sales. We are going to surprise them and make them wait longer.
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Nov 17
Welcome to the world of us oldsters.
3 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Nov 17
@Fleura The downside of life is reality.
3 people like this
@YrNemo (20261)
•
12 Nov 17
Sounds like they were all about the negative sides of over the hill age group! Sad! (But I've often listened to ladies in their mid 60s chatted to each other in stores, 'oh, long time no see, how have you been? We have been very busy lately with dancing night on this this this day, and oh, do you go to that party for the seniors? blah blah blah...'
They went on like that for hours I swear...
2 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
26 Jan 18
The lady next door to me is 90 and she goes to our club house everyday as there is always something going on. She won't play Bingo as there is no thinking involved. She goes for the card games so she can win some bigger money. She goes to the pool aerobics in the mornings a few times a week.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
12 Nov 17
lol When you get older, health is one thing you no longer take for granted so I do understand why this would have interested the over 50 crowd.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
11 Nov 17
That sounds like a depressing event to visit, It might be the reason I've never been to one. The thing that makes our life better is the opening a YMCA nearby and we go every day and get the exercise and information we need. Its amazing to me and I am one, of all the seniors who go to the Y daily.
2 people like this
@Fleura (29129)
• United Kingdom
26 Jan 18
That sounds like a great facility. Over here the YMCA is a charity for young people, so it seems to be totally different.
YMCA is the largest and the oldest youth charity in the world. We focus on young people and help them play a fulfilling role within their communities.
1 person likes this
@Friendlypink (3805)
•
10 Nov 17
It is good to volunteer, cause it makes you feel good inside by helping others, but if its giving you stress and all that then yeah i guess its a bad day to consider.
2 people like this
