ELDERS SERIES: The Super Elder

THE SACRED HOOP By Yvette Neshi Lokotz

“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.

As I witness my mother’s end of life, I can see that she is tenacious as she holds on to her life even in the smallest of ways. Two of her granddaughters are members of her care team. She continues to share her knowledge and wisdom with them as they have the opportunity to spend quiet time with her.

As we age and as we step into our Eldership, we have a choice to make. A choice as to what kind of Elder we want to be as we experience perhaps the most important days of life.

Please see the recorded live stream show about the Super Elder in this article. Enjoy.

Bama Mine (Potawatomi for Until We See Each Other Again),

Neshi

Yvette Neshi Lokotz is a tribal member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, with Ho-Chunk Nation and Yaqui Nation descent, she was raised in the traditions of Ho-Chunk and Potawatomi cultures. Neshi is a publisher, drum maker, and a Medicine Dress Dancer. Neshi is the C.E.O. of Star Nations Organization, which includes Star Nations Publishing, Star Nations Magazine, Star Nations Live Stream, and Star Nations Academy. She holds a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in Management and Organizational Behavior. starnationspublishing@gmail.com | fb: StarNationsOrganization