Sharon Bettinelli, 60, USA
Some concerns of older people in the US are that you are discounted. Your opinions are neither sought nor valued. People stop seeing you as a person. In business it’s hard for older workers, too, because there are all these young people coming up behind them and they still want to keep working and doing things. I think being discounted is the biggest issue.
Personal feelings: Not being healthy and not being physically able to get around are concerns. I think what I mentioned about being discounted is certainly part of it. I think to keep that away as long as possible is to really stay young and vital in spirit and thought and feel good about yourself.
Secrets to aging well: I think I do feel good about myself though I do need to lose some weight. I love my job at the YWCA, being in charge, working with young women. Our YWCA is at the University so we work with all ages and it is a wonderful environment. I think having a multi-generational mix makes a big difference. I’m healthy, I love to travel, I have wonderful friends, I love my husband, and we’re close to our kids.
I have a positive outlook and I think that attitude is what really makes a difference. It is important in my work and for the way I want to be the rest of my life to keep current with what’s going on. Not just with what’s in the news, but also music, what’s new. I want to be able to talk about them. I try to learn everything I can about computers, digital cameras… I don’t want to be pushed aside because I am old and don’t know how to do something. I don’t want to ever be put in that category.
I have women at the Y who are in their 70s and 80s who are wonderful role models. They reach out to friends of all ages. If young women are hesitant because their friends are all 20 or 30, they just go ahead and don’t let it stop them. They can carry on conversations with younger people that are of interest. It’s not just their history or what it was like when they were young.
My vision for my future is to return to the Peace Corps. My husband and I were in the Peace Corps shortly after we were married in our mid 20s. We always thought once we raised our kids and left our wonderful careers we would return. For us it’s the place where you really learn that your possessions are not important. All that is really important is your relationships and your family. You don’t really need objects and possessions. We want to do projects, travel the world doing good and also being tourists. This is what we’ve always thought about though I can’t imagine retiring from my job, and my husband can’t imagine retiring from his work. I’m sure we will though and we would like to do it while we are still reasonably healthy. I now have an even greater commitment to do so. I just don’t want to be discounted.
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 3:40 PM | Permalink
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