tag:,2008:/131 2007-09-07T12:58:21Z AgeEsteem adds self-esteem to aging and shows you how to grow a positive attitude to LIVE your age with health, confidence, energy, satisfaction, and pizzazz. Movable Type 4.1 tag:www.ageesteemlive.com,2007://131.3032 2007-09-04T19:35:37Z 2007-09-07T12:58:21Z

Growing old in Nigeria commands much respect. When you are growing old people give you more respect than when you were younger. If you have children and your children are well to do they take care of you. If you...

Bonnie Fatio http://www.ageesteemlive.com Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem,during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya, July 2007.]]> tag:www.ageesteemlive.com,2007://131.3031 2007-09-04T19:33:52Z 2007-09-07T12:59:29Z

I think that we are fortunate to be becoming older women in New Zealand. I don’t believe there’s a lot of discrimination. Job related, I think older women have a lot to give. I deal with a lot of older...

Bonnie Fatio http://www.ageesteemlive.com Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem,during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya, July 2007]]> tag:www.ageesteemlive.com,2007://131.3030 2007-09-04T19:29:02Z 2007-09-04T19:32:42Z

Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem,during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya,July 2007 For many in Great Britain growing older is the beginning of a new life. If they’ve been working most of their days and are...

Bonnie Fatio http://www.ageesteemlive.com Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem,during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya,July 2007 For many in Great Britain growing older is the beginning of a new life. If they’ve been working most of their days and are reasonably well off as many are, there’s an adventure in becoming old provided you take a very positive approach to it. There are of course many who do not have the income to enjoy all those privileges and also many who are very poor, living in substandard accommodations. Personal feelings: I’m learning to cope with it. I remember when I was 70 on my birthday, I never count very much on it, but someone from the church who had been working in Africa, a white woman, came and shook me by the hand and said, “Congratulations!” I said, “Well thank you very much. What for?” It was because I was 70. It was a miracle. So no, I think just go along, do what I can and enjoy as much as I can. Secrets to aging well: My friends, my faith – I’m involved in church work and I dream a lot and hope a lot. I no longer have any family to turn to and I’m an only child but I still enjoy life. I want to keep going as far as I can. I was very challenged by hearing from an African woman about her experience in her family with Aids and her commitment within the UN (United Nations) to make a difference. I am going to find some way of contributing. ]]> tag:www.ageesteemlive.com,2007://131.3029 2007-09-04T19:25:35Z 2007-12-19T14:42:37Z

Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem, July 2007, during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya. In Sweden lots of women have careers so are older when they start a family. I think growing older is to have...

Bonnie Fatio http://www.ageesteemlive.com Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem, July 2007, during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya. In Sweden lots of women have careers so are older when they start a family. I think growing older is to have a career, have a family and then to continue a career. Women and men in Sweden are almost equal. Women are getting more pressure to do things, career, etc. It’s ok to be old in Sweden. When you become retired it is ok for you to have vacation in life. You have had your career and family. Often old people in Sweden are very healthy so they are growing older and older. My idea of old has become older and older now that I am also aging. When I was younger I thought 25 was old. Now I am 25 and my father is going to retire in 2 years and I don’t think he is old at 64. My grandfather was old He passed away last year. He was 85 years old. But I think the middle age lasts a very long time, from 40 to 70 maybe. Secrets to aging well: You have to work to have everything stable in your life. I think when you are stable it is easier for you to become older. Balance between work, family and everything so you can be calm in your work, calm in your home and calm in your life. When you have this calm in your own life, then you can give to someone else. Otherwise it will just be an additional pressure on you to think that you have to give and to volunteer. You have to have your own calm before you can start giving to others.]]> tag:www.ageesteemlive.com,2007://131.3028 2007-09-04T19:23:52Z 2007-09-07T13:00:58Z

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...

Bonnie Fatio http://www.ageesteemlive.com Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem,during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya, July 2007]]> tag:www.ageesteemlive.com,2007://131.3027 2007-09-04T19:19:18Z 2007-09-07T13:02:59Z

I think in Holland there are very good conditions to age, because we have all the medical facilities, care, and know-how to live healthy. If you are aware of how to live healthfully and don’t get cancer you can...

Bonnie Fatio http://www.ageesteemlive.com I think in Holland there are very good conditions to age, because we have all the medical facilities, care, and know-how to live healthy. If you are aware of how to live healthfully and don’t get cancer you can live to be very old. The average age expectancy of Dutch women is almost 80; men are a little less. It is also genetic. I’m lucky, although it doesn’t guarantee anything, because in both my father and mother’s family they live to about ninety. There are homes where you are taken when you are old, like my mother, when she was 87. She was in an old people’s home and they took perfect care of her. The homes are paid partly by the government and people contribute based on their incomes and properties. Since my mother had property, she had to pay for it all herself, but her neighbour who did not have property was in the same place absolutely for free. There are also private places such as apartments with protection for well-to-do people. When you are very old there are houses where you are looked after day and night. I think that conditions for men and women are good. We are one of the ten wealthiest countries in the world. Personal feelings: After I was in your workshop yesterday I spoke with some people who said, “I wish I could stay thirty all my life.” But you cannot. So I’m growing older and sometimes I think, “Oh, what will it be like when I am 80 and walking behind a walker?” Growing old just happens. You cannot prevent it. There’s a Dutch saying, “People like to grow old but they do not want to be old.” Of course there mare many things in my life of which I am proud. But there are also things which I regret and will till I die, but I cannot change these things. Then maybe some things I would like to do over. But that is also unrealistic to think because I cannot do it over. But if I had had the knowledge when I was 18 that I have now then I would have made different decisions, but that is how life goes. In aging there are some inconveniences. So far I don’t have many except that I cannot run anymore because of a bad knee and I hate that, but I accept it. I cycle a lot. Secrets to aging well: Live in the present and look forward. It is stupid to look backward except to evaluate things and to give advice to others. Accept your age, 50, 60, 70, and start from there because you cannot change it. Look at what belongs to that age and from which you can get your happiness. Like I now have this little granddaughter. It makes me so happy. I have one male colleague who is burned out, but when I ask him about his grandson, he bursts into a smile. You have to look to the things you can experience now and be happy with, and not wish that you were still 30. My husband left me 12 years ago so I am alone. That was difficult with 3 children, 12, 13 and 14. I thought there was no future for me any more. But since then I’ve had a good future, but you partly make your future yourself. You have to acknowledge your restrictions, but you help your own future. I am going to a place about 2 hours from Nairobi, Kenya. A friend has farms there and I will see if during my summer holidays I can go there to do voluntary work. I speak Swahili. I just keep on teaching and having my life. Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem,during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya, July 2007]]> tag:www.ageesteemlive.com,2007://131.3026 2007-09-04T15:04:17Z 2007-09-07T13:03:58Z

Being over 50 is considered old in Kenya, but mostly the people who can not do their work on their own. They need somebody to help them and are considered old. But even at 50 if you are able...

Bonnie Fatio http://www.ageesteemlive.com Being over 50 is considered old in Kenya, but mostly the people who can not do their work on their own. They need somebody to help them and are considered old. But even at 50 if you are able to work on your own without somebody to help you, you are not considered old. It’s not so bad so long as you have children because then you have grandchildren. Your children can give you some of their children to come and look after their grandmother or you stay with them at home tending them. You are just happy with your children. It is a very important role for the grandmother. Personal feelings: On my side I feel that it is not bad being old. It is good because you are mature. Others will be honoring you because you have grown old. Normally these days people die at a very early age. So if you live for long you will be one of the blessed ones. Being old is good. You will receive many things that you haven’t seen when you were young. When you live a long time you will see many things and meet so many friends. Secrets to aging well: I like doing exercises and I do my work alone. I don’t like making people do it for me. And I make sure that I eat properly and exercise every now and then. I’m a teacher by profession and I do my work always, no matter how I feel. Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem,during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya, July 2007]]> tag:www.ageesteemlive.com,2007://131.3025 2007-09-04T14:40:10Z 2007-09-07T13:05:07Z

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...

Bonnie Fatio http://www.ageesteemlive.com 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]]> tag:www.ageesteemlive.com,2007://131.3024 2007-09-04T14:33:17Z 2007-09-07T13:06:15Z

Personal feelings: Gee, I’m scared as hell. I have my big brother. I take care of him. He has no children. He’s almost 80 and when I’m out he’s left alone. I try to do my best, but I...

Bonnie Fatio http://www.ageesteemlive.com Personal feelings: Gee, I’m scared as hell. I have my big brother. I take care of him. He has no children. He’s almost 80 and when I’m out he’s left alone. I try to do my best, but I just don’t feel comfortable about him being alone. I think about me, and that when I am that age I might be alone in a room too. It scares me. Secrets to aging well: Do things you’ve always wanted to do. Go on a cruise. Go to some of the big shows. Enjoy yourself. Religion is a must. You have to believe. What else do you have? Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem,during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya, July 2007]]> tag:www.ageesteemlive.com,2007://131.3023 2007-09-04T13:39:40Z 2007-09-07T13:07:14Z

Aging in my part of world comes with uncertainty concerning job security, housing, shopping in stores, things like that. Access to medical care is another major concern. People think that in the US we have excellent medical care, but...

Bonnie Fatio http://www.ageesteemlive.com Aging in my part of world comes with uncertainty concerning job security, housing, shopping in stores, things like that. Access to medical care is another major concern. People think that in the US we have excellent medical care, but it is not always that way. Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem,during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya, July 2007 I am board chair of a not for profit organization that distributes toys to needy children during the holiday season, and we work year round to refurbish used toys and to collect new ones and package them to be ready for the season. The entire program during the year is staffed by people 70 years and older. It is so inspiring to see these people, who come there not only to be productive and active, but they come together as family and they check on each other if one is sick or there is a death or whatever. They’re there year round, so I’m experiencing their lives for the entire year. During the summer when students are out of school and then during the holiday season we have student volunteers come in It is inspiring to see the older people interact with all age groups, but especially during the summer with the students. This one incident is enough to let them all see how important all generations are and how we can enjoy learning from one another. Personal feelings: Aging to me has not been a huge factor up to this point. I’m sure it will be when I am unable to do the things which I’m used to doing. I’m here (in Kenya at the World Council of the World YWCA) with my 28 year old daughter and another young woman. Both are young enough to be my children, but I don’t think of them as my children, I guess because I am still in that younger age mindset. I can’t really say that aging has impacted my life yet. In my family they live as long as they can, and independently. I have family members who are well past 85 years old and into their 90s and early 100s. I hope I make that. I’m not sure whether I will or not. They still work and are viable members of community, so I’ve always had that role model of staying involved. Health issues do concern me but are not catastrophic. I see my aunt who can’t hear and is arthritic and can’t get around. Although we have disability acts in our country there are still a lot of things that are not accessible to people with physical disabilities. Secrets to aging well: Recognize there is experience with age and also understand and realize that the young people have a lot to offer. They may be impetuous and be quick to say things that we wouldn’t do as quickly because we have age on our side. We take the time to think about outcomes and what the impact of our actions and decisions will be. I don’t think there is a line to be crossed in age. You move deftly from one age to another. And it’s all in your mind and heart, not the age on your drivers licence or ID.]]> tag:www.ageesteemlive.com,2007://131.2984 2007-08-26T18:55:28Z 2007-09-07T13:10:44Z

I’m from the rural community so I understand how older people are being treated. The people down there are not being treated well. They are often told, “Go away. You are an old person. You don’t know anything.” Most people...

Bonnie Fatio http://www.ageesteemlive.com I’m from the rural community so I understand how older people are being treated. The people down there are not being treated well. They are often told, “Go away. You are an old person. You don’t know anything.” Most people treat them so. But within your family older people are loved. Say for example if you have a grandmother, you’ll be happy. If you have a grandfather, you’ll be happy because they are still alive. If they have no family it’s very sad. When you are a kid with no family, you are taken by a family and stay with them. When you are a girl you get married and you start your own family. When you are a boy you get married and you start your own family. A typical example from my village concerning older people is an old lady who didn’t have family to care for her so you find people surrounding her to take food to her. And because she was even too old to wash herself, get water and cook for herself people took her food and water. Again you might find someone old who lives with her son and his wife but they don’t take care of this older person. Maybe you find one or two children who give you food and the other’s don’t care. The others say, “My brother is well off, so let him take care of my mother.” Personal views: I feel growing older is great, especially in this day of HIV/Aids. Getting to the age of 50 is not very easy. Many die when they are really young, so when I grow older and older I feel really good. Secrets to aging well: I don’t have special foods and diets. I don’t have the money for that. It is the spirit. When you assume and you feel that your spirit is young your body will also be young. And it goes better when you no longer see someone who you admire and you say, Oh I wish I had that and I wish I had that.” But when you are free from the stress of wanting what you don’t have, you grow young. Interviewed by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem,during the YWCA World Council in Nairobi, Kenya, July 2007]]> tag:www.remember.org,2007:/bonnie//131.2927 2007-08-03T15:21:48Z 2007-08-06T18:37:55Z

In Myanmar, when you are growing old it is very useful for us to have the elderly person in our house. It keeps them very active. They look after the house with their children and grandchildren. My mother is...

Bonnie Fatio http://www.ageesteemlive.com In Myanmar, when you are growing old it is very useful for us to have the elderly person in our house. It keeps them very active. They look after the house with their children and grandchildren. My mother is now 94. Her memory is very good and her eyesight is very good. She can see and she can hear. She helps in the kitchen. She is the one to remind us of everything. Her memory is good. Having the elderly person in the house is very secure. In Myanmar it is our culture to keep the elderly person with us. When older people can no longer help, they are taken care of by family. I am on the Committee for home care. In some parts of my city in very urban areas there are elderly persons with no family to care for them, so we have a voluntary home care service for them. We have about 60 people trained who are serving elderly persons. They spend a minimum of 3 hours a week with them. Before this service began, the elders said they wanted to die because there was no one to look after them. But after one year of the home care service, they don’t want to die because they have someone to care for them. It is a very good project of volunteer work. We are not encouraged to keep elderly in healthcare projects, (retirement facilities) but to keep them at home. Age 70 is normally considered very old to live. ]]>