Speaking of Seniors

I was recently asked how the economic downturn is affecting the senior citizens I talk to in the course of my volunteer activities. The seniors I deal with are not the healthy, active, prosperous seniors we all hope to become. These are very vulnerable people who are already living on the edge: low income, physically or mentally impaired, and socially isolated. They do not have to worry about losing jobs and most don’t have mortgages or investments; but a cutback in a government program, a spike in the cost of food or rent, the loss of a caregiver, or a health setback could be enough to push someone barely making it over the edge. And while constant exposure to television news of “economic collapse” and impending financial disaster in the country is disturbing to some of them, others have faith that things will turn out all right.

I am constantly amazed by the resilience of the seniors I talk with, how they keep their sense of humor and somehow manage to find joy in their lives, even in the most difficult circumstances. My husband says he couldn’t do volunteer work because it would make him sad. It doesn’t work that way for me. I usually come home feeling energized, with more gratitude for the good things in my own life and for being able to briefly cheer up someone else. And while I am grateful that I’m still young enough to take steps to ensure my own financial, physical and mental health in my old age, I’m also well aware that “life happens” and that things could change in the blink of an eye. This is why I need to care about them, why we all need to care about one another.