Steps to Take Toward Celebrating and Accepting Aging

The idea of aging is an open-ended concept. There is so much to explore, achieve, and discover as an older adult! That’s why so many people who are aging or who support those who are aging are removing the negative stigma surrounding the topic. Instead, it’s important to take the proper steps to come to terms with aging and enjoy all that it has to offer.

There are two key components to growing older:

• Accepting Aging
• Celebrating Aging

Life Care Services® can help you or your loved one navigate both of these areas, and our senior living communities offer programming, care, and support solutions that make aging easier. Let’s take a closer look at accepting the aging process and how you or your friend or family member can celebrate that growth, year after year. 

How to Accept Aging

There are three main adjustments to make when it comes to aging acceptance:

Changing Your Perspective

As an older adult, you may have the desire to take part in activities or complete tasks that you worked on as a younger person. But do you really? Are your tastes and interests the same as they were decades ago? Consider what you might be able to accomplish as a senior that you couldn’t when you were working full-time or raising a family. This could include traveling as a senior, taking a cooking course, spending time with friends, or accomplishing personal goals.

Recognizing Your Experience

Accepting growing older can seem difficult until you realize that you have already lived through many of life’s challenges. Instead, you now have the experience and wisdom to make the best choices for your life and to help your friends and family when they need it. Younger generations look to you or your loved one as a mentor for advice and as a leader who should be honored.

Knowing You Have More to Learn

Perhaps the most important step toward acceptance is realizing that reaching a certain age does not mean your story ends. You have a fresh slate to learn new ideas and grow as a person. In fact, many seniors enjoy a better quality of life at an older age because they have the time and resources to find out what they really enjoy and follow paths that make them happy.

Why You Should Celebrate Getting Older

There are a number of reasons why you should celebrate getting older. For starters, it is an accomplishment! It is also a true honor to have created a lasting legacy, whether in your career, family, or with your generosity and contributions to society.

Once you have accepted aging for what it is and can be, you can begin to enjoy it!

Ways to Celebrate Aging

Here are a few ways to celebrate yourself, and this list is also great for family members who want to honor their parent or grandparent:

Communicate

Having conversations and storytelling are critical to celebrating someone who is getting older. This can also include video chats, phone calls, and writing letters (become a pen pal!) These communications will be cherished and are often some of the most meaningful in life. If you are the one sharing your stories about aging, it’s important to think about how you have progressed as a person. Talk about what experiences and connections you have made throughout your life, and explain what you have found to be the most valuable experiences.

Make Plans

Whether it be Sunday dinner or a weekly rendezvous to go shopping, making plans and spending quality time with your loved ones celebrates aging. This is important for both seniors and their loved ones. Young adults, children, and adult children are often very busy, but so are seniors who are experiencing new friendships and activities! A standing appointment is a commitment to keeping your long-lasting relationships strong and secure.

Have Some Fun

In life, working hard and caring for others are respected, and are great goals. However, it’s also ok to laugh and smile! Take the time as an older adult to go and enjoy the experiences you always wanted to have. Celebrate at a fancy restaurant, try a new hobby, or visit a new city just for fun.

Supporting Seniors with the Aging Experience

Life Care Services proudly provide seniors and their families with award-winning services and dedication to excellence in every experience we create. From unique programming to exceptional dining and comfortable living accommodations, residents of our more than 130 communities have everything they need to grow and enjoy aging. Talk with us about your goals and we can help you find a community that is the perfect fit.