Aging in America - Paper Example

An Interview With My Grandmother

What comes to your mind about aging?

Most people often think that growing old is associated with slow walking, shortness, wrinkled faces and the growth of grey hair but it is not the case. Aging is increasing your number of days, learning more about the world, correcting your mistakes when still early and guiding people on correct decisions that they might not regret making. "To me, aging is giving my children and grandchildren the chance of knowing the world by teaching them well," she says.

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What are the benefits of aging?

Growing old has numerous benefits. However, people do not recognize them as they assume that their time is almost expiring. "I can guarantee you that I enjoy so much being an old grandmother, moreover, after seeing the success of your children and grandchildren." The success only comes in when the children were brought up morally upright, respectful, loving and caring. "The benefits I have are that: People respect the decisions I make and consult me for further advice, I am always given the priority by people as they regard me as being weak and my time is almost approaching just to name but a few," she says.

What are the disadvantages?

People care so much about old people that they would not like seeing them suffer or struggling if they have good families. "You cannot have enough time to accomplish some tasks before people intervening what you are doing as a matter of care. Also, when you were used to hard working and keeping yourself busy, laziness builds procedurally as all these things you are forced to leave them for other people to handle. People also assume that your speed and brain is too slow and cannot be trusted with quick responses.

How do you feel in all about aging?

Growing old is good and a rare opportunity for many people. "I enjoy healthcare benefits because if any small issue rises, the medical personnel often react faster to monitor my body functioning. Retirement benefits are also guaranteed, and I enjoy seeing the fruits of my hard work. However, losing some of my close friends and relatives of my age worries me a lot and makes me think that I am next in line. It also pains a lot witnessing the sight of losing loved ones every time." She continues.

Similarities and Differences Between the Interview and the Research

Similarities

I often believe that people with experience know what they feel and what they have gone through at times when giving responses. Some might be truthful while others might not, reasons are best known to them. Therefore, in my research, I found out various similarities and differences in my grandmother's responses. The following are the similarities: Growing old has so many benefits, for example, they have more time with their loved ones because they know their state. Retirement is always not inherently relaxing or joyful; it depends on how you built your life while still young and how that time is used. You feel special and the time guaranteed also makes it special. Wisdom is another benefit they get, and research says that old people offer the best advice and no regretting ideas (Schlossberg, 2017). They have the experience and have seen possible mistakes, probably from their own doing or friends' actions and would not like driving their children or grandchildren into them. The best way some think they correct their mistakes is by guiding and being truthful in their words to help save lives, avoid mistakes et cetera, to satisfy their minds before their death. Also, in the disadvantages of aging, they do not have private lives as caring people often come in. They do not have rights over some critical things as they are regarded to be weak (Lindland, et al. 2016).

Differences

However, the differences found out is that: Wisdom only matters for grandmothers who have worked at some points in their lives and might have good or bad experiences. Many old people believe that their decisions are the best and if not consulted, their self-esteem is lowered. However, people like facts and trusted people. Aging people can also not accept that they are slow and their body metabolism slows down as time passes. No one likes the truth and some painful corrections (Schlossberg, 2017). Cells in the body become inactive while dividing, some organs and tissues get tired of functioning, the bones become weak, and the brain also tires. However, aging people find it difficult in accepting some challenges they face as they happen slowly without them noticing and they regard it as normal (Lindland et al. 2016). Loss of too many loved ones can also interfere psychologically with the aged and make or offer wrong decisions.

Nonetheless, as people age, some believe that they will get a hundred percent retirement benefits, health care benefits, security to name but a few. That is not the case. No government can insure a hundred percent of the aged population against a hundred percent of the vicissitudes and hazards of life. Some miss their retirement benefits and end up depending on family member or relatives. The benefits can, however, be replaced by giving them a measure of protection but only to the average and high-class citizens and to their families against losing a job and also against poverty-ridden old age (Schlossberg, 2017).

Conclusion

In conclusion, as people age, different conclusions and understandings are drawn from them depending on their social life. They incur great benefits like health care, security, the priority in decision making to name but a few. A couple of disadvantages like no privacy as they are being cared for. However, my research drew similarities and differences regarding their statuses. Similarities came in for some of the benefits, disadvantages et cetera. Differences came in places of retirement, some benefits and areas of decision making following their deteriorating and slow functioning of body organs, tissues and mind. Therefore, the topic "Aging in America" was my best-suited topic as I could draw instant facts and sentences from my grandmother as she was the best and relevant source. Also, in researching, basic facts could be drawn easily and conclusions made through similarities and differences.

References

Lindland, E., Kendall-Taylor, N., Haydon, A., & Fond, M. (2016). Gauging aging: Expert and public understandings of aging in America. Communication and the Public, 1(2), 211-229.

Schlossberg, N. K. (2017). Reflections on Positive Aging in America.