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10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Elderly by Nicola J Rowley
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If they’re in their 70’s or above, chances are they lived through the Second World War. As such, they will have incredible stories to tell about what it was like to survive air raids and bombs going off around them. If they grew up in major towns and cities at the time, some may also have been evacuated to the countryside to live in what were deemed to be safer areas.- In the 1950’s they used to enjoy dances such as the Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Boogie-Woogie or Bop.
- If they were born in 1930, they share the same birth year as famous Octogenarians such as Buzz Aldrin, Clint Eastwood and Sir Sean Connery.
- Those aged 80 or above were around to see the birth of British television as we know it. The BBC Television Service as it was then known (now BBC One), was launched in November 1936.
- They grew up at a time when there were limited mod-cons and for many, having a toilet indoors was a luxury, as was having a washing machine.
- An older person may have aged physically but may still be able to share their life experiences with you. Their fascinating stories and experiences could be truly eye opening.
- To speak to someone in another country is easy today, but when they were growing up, it would take several days if not weeks to get a message to someone a long way away. It’s ironic that even though we’re more connected through technology, in some cases we’re more profoundly unconnected. An older person may live alone and can go days without seeing or speaking to someone else.
- They get lonely and a simple smile or another small act of kindness can make a massive difference to them.
- Weekends and Sundays in particular are precious for family time spent away from the daily 9-5 grind. But for many elderly people, Sundays are the loneliest day of the week. Any community services tend to be shut, and as they become frailer, it becomes harder for them to go out and socialise.
- Elderly people are just like you and me – they still want to have fun and enjoy life. Sometimes they’re just no longer able to do so because of ill health, or their friends and family are a long way away.
Nicola J Rowley’s debut children’s book, James and the Amazing Gift, looks at how a simple act of kindness such as a smile, can make a real difference to those who feel alone. It is aimed at children aged 3-7 to help widen the number of people talking about the issue.
Nicola says: “As parents, we owe it to our children to show elderly people that we care. One day, we too will be old and who knows if we will be lucky enough to still have family and friends around us? We will be extremely lucky if we do.”
From every copy sold, £1 is being donated to UK charity Contact the Elderly. It is available to buy on Amazon and at major book stores.
Nicola’s tips for making a difference to an elderly person:
- Volunteer to host a tea party for Contact the Elderly or encourage elderly people in your area to join a new group, which you host
- Carry out small acts of kindness like checking in regularly on an elderly neighbour or giving them a Christmas card or gift
- Taking time out to smile and ask an elderly person how they are – you may be the only person they speak to that day