Merle Waldron, 64, Trinidad and Tobago
We have a group of young people 18-20+ who work for the aged people. Let’s say that you are working and there is no one at home to take care of your mom, so these young people would come to sit with her for a minimum of three days a week. They take her out, and a sick person will have someone take care of him. I belong to the Lions Club and was president. We have a project for a drop-in center for the elderly. I’ve been to the States and they have a school or community center and entertain the aged for the day while the children work and take them out on trips and all that. I thought that was a good idea but I did not get support. Now the government is trying to do it, to have places to keep them active, dance, play cards… In the US they are bused to and from the destination.
It is hard to say when people are considered old. I have seen people 90 year olds who I wouldn’t consider old because they can remember things better than me. They’re active in church groups, etc. I have checked their ages they are 89, 90. We have a celebrated a woman 105 years. I’ve seen this woman go down to the ground and come back up again. So I wouldn’t call them old because they are active.
Secrets to aging well: Everyday is a new day and I thank the Lord for giving me strength and health to be what I am.
Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem,during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya, July 2007
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Posted by Bonnie Fatio on September 4, 2007 8:23 PM | Permalink
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