E
Superhero Seniors
very age comes with its own worries and aspirations. Before leaving school, we’re consumed with choosing the right career path. In our twenties we might be obsessed with finding a partner. In our thirties we’re juggling everything: work, housing, children, a relationship, money, family and friends. At 40, we realise that we’re still living at home as it turned out that the property ladder was too high and the relationship you thought might last a lifetime came to an end whilst you were working hard to scramble together a deposit. Come 50, men might experience a midlife crisis and women have the pleasure of going through the menopause. Reaching 60 you’re getting ready for retirement, it’s a shame though that the retirement age has been raised yet again. Never mind, there is always 70+: time to get your money’s worth out of your TV subscriptions, interspersed by a quarterly visit from your children. Is this an accurate blueprint for life? Fortunately, not.
10
Some defy so-called ‘older age’ and live life for what it is and not according to the vintage label that’s been stuck on them. Those people are an inspiration to us all. Like those who continue to shine on stage, the ones who have had the privilege to serve their country in politics, ‘ordinary people’ who continue to share their expertise as volunteers, seniors to whom retirement is an alien concept, people with above average courage, and those with extraordinary sporting accomplishments, all putting the younger, couch potato gaming generation to shame. For example, although Sir Mick Jagger (76) had to recover from a heart operation in 2019, the Rolling Stones are scheduled to go back on tour in 2020. Equally, Dame Judy Dench (85) acts as if age is just a number by continuing to perform, alongside other 70+ colleagues such as Dame Maggie Smith (85) and Dame Hellen Mirren (74). The list is endless for the show must go on. Those concerned at 45 that they haven’t peaked professionally before retirement should take a closer look at, for instance, Glenda Jackson CBE (83) who, after many successful years in showbiz, became a politician. If that wasn’t enough, she recently returned to acting after being absent for 27 years. Equally, although he lost his seat in the 2019 election, Dennis Skinner’s
(88) wit never faded in his nearly halfa-century long political career. Lastly, but certainly not least, our Queen, Elizabeth II, still dutifully performs her royal responsibilities at 93. Longevity is not granted exclusively to public figures. ‘Ordinary’ people challenge ageism too. They may live on your street and, if you observe carefully, you will see how they teach us that there’s no need to presume that it will soon all be over when you’re past the age of 60.
“
Painting any group with a generic brush is foolish, this includes seniors, who can indeed be superheroes.
UK-wide there are countless seniors who haven’t opted for spending their days with a cat on their lap or relaxing on a cruise liner, instead they continue to work many hours, often unpaid. With usually strong work ethics they are invaluable in many organisations, such as road stewards for residents’ associations, information clerks at hospitals, or giving tours and providing information in museums and historical buildings. A sound example of how extensive the contribution a senior person can make is Roger Allsopp OBE, who raised thousands of pounds to fund medical research by swimming in open water. By doing so, he also became the oldest man in the world to swim the English Channel. That age truly is no barrier is also shown by Joan Hibberd who, at 97
