THE SACRED HOOP By Yvette Neshi Lokotz
ELDERS SERIES:
The Super Elder “Consider the advice of your Elders — Not because they are always right, but because of the wisdom they have gleaned from being wrong.” Anonymous Dear readers, this month’s article is near and dear to my heart and a challenge to write. The Super Elder topic for this month’s article also falls within Native American Heritage Month. I am finding this article creation a challenge because originally, the topic of Super Elders came about for my mother, who was turning 101 at the time of the topic’s creation. Currently, my mother is in hospice. So, writing about her and
“Eldership of a Super Elder” hits close to my heart. In August 2020, on my weekly live stream show, Communications from Home, I continued the series about Eldership with the Super Elder topic. I knew I would be writing about this topic for the magazine at some point. What is a Super Elder? We can describe this person from a few perspectives.
The biomedical business defines Super-Seniors as individuals aged 85 years and older who reported never being diagnosed with cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, dementia, or major pulmonary disease. Most Native American Nations define their elders as anyone over 55, with super elders being over 90. Super Elders could also be defined as any Elder who continues to feel useful and contributes to their community. In other words, these Elders are thriving rather than just surviving.
Star Nations Magazine • November 2020 • 34
