Superhero Seniors

Article by Esther Wiskerke

Every 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.

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 years old, is believed to be Britain’s oldest foodbank volunteer. This doesn’t mean that all older people work for free. In April 2019 it was reported that Joan Ward (90) is Britain’s oldest market stall holder. She is still going strong by waking up early every day and working fulltime.

Equally, Professor in Social Gerontology, Anthea Tinker, who is in her mideighties, continues to contribute to academic research and university life. Bravery is another virtue not just reserved for ‘the young’. The 94-year old veteran paratrooper, Harry Read, re-enacted his D-Day parachute jump to commemorate the 75th anniversary in 2019 and he is not the first veteran to do so.

Scoring the highest numbers is often important in sport, but don’t be fooled by the number of years older people are in the sporting arena either.

Superhero centenarians such as Portsmouth’s Doris Long MBE (who died aged 104), entered the record books as the oldest abseiler, not once, but twice, and Fauja Singh BEM (108), nicknamed the ‘Sikh Superman’, is a British multiple marathon runner. Such achievements leave people in the double-figures age group standing.

Although Fauja Singh’s running performance is exceptional, every Saturday morning at 9am at a local park near you, there’s the weekly 5km parkrun. According to their blog: 'In 2018 so far, more than 57,000 people aged over 60 have walked, run or volunteered at UK parkruns.'

Not all seniors’ stories feature in the media, yet many are local heroes within their communities. Painting any group with a generic brush is foolish, this includes seniors who can indeed be superheroes as a result of their achievements throughout life.

Honouring these achievements does not only do them justice but may also be a not-to-be-missed free lesson for the younger generation.

Luckily there are plenty of people, organisations and initiatives challenging ageism within the UK, based on the principles of The World Health Organization’s campaign to combat ageism and the AGE Platform Europe (the voice of older persons at EU level) which promotes the interests of older and retired people in the European Union. Age UK provides, for example, helpful legal advice on how to challenge ageism in the workplace.

On Twitter there are plenty of profiles such as: @_EverydayAgeism and @agenoretirement highlighting some of the amazing achievements of older people.

Another progressive platform is East London Radio’s weekly show AGE SPEAKS which is dedicated to issues relating to age and ageing, hosted by Mervyn Eastman (@MervChangeAGEnt). Likewise, publications such as the Mature Times® newspaper (www. maturetimes.co.uk), are freely available.

The Elders Voice charity (www. eldersvoice.org.uk) also chose a less conventional way in 2020 to challenge the public’s perceptions and stereotypes about age and nudity, by publishing their tasteful ‘In Rude Health’ charity calendar.

Not everyone’s life is a bed of roses or ends particularly well as they age. Nonetheless, don’t allow the number of candles on your birthday cake to dictate what you can or cannot do.

Esther Wiskerke

@EstherWiskerke

Esther Wiskerke is a Dementia Team Manager and an Independent Trainer & Consultant in Dementia Care