By Cindy Dickinson, NCCOA Guest Contributor
“Aging is not for the faint of heart.” How many of us have heard this statement, especially as we start approaching those so-called Golden Years? How do we face the increasing daily challenges and live happy and healthy lives?
In our Golden Years, certain life attributes such as responsiveness, growth, metabolism, energy transformation and reproduction take a back seat to growing older as we age. This is normal. Without being cynical – just more factual – we are ALL going to age and ALL of our life attributes will be affected. This can lead to life throwing us curve balls, and challenging us to some monumental decisions.
These challenges may be manifested as a result of assisting family members or friends, personal health issues, economic woes and the list goes on. Although it’s part of life to take on these responsibilities, if we are lucky enough, we reap so many rewards throughout. So, what happens when some or most of those occurrences are part of our everyday life? How do you balance life’s certainties with our challenges to continue living a full life? How do we look beyond the wrinkles and rolls, and find enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose? How do we find enough positivity to live our best life?
We recently asked a group of seniors who frequent Nassau County Council on Aging (NCCOA) to answer this question: “How does NCCOA help you live your best life?” Their ultimate challenge was to relate the impact NCCOA has had on their life. We found the answers to be quite surprising, especially how a nonprofit agency could encourage, motivate, inform and influence a group of seniors in their Golden Years. Here are some of their responses…
Positivity within our walls
NCCOA’s doors open to new worlds of positivity, affirmation and purpose.
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- Maria P describes NCCOA as a place which has helped replace her loneliness with happiness. Talking to other seniors has really been her blessing…it’s a mood changer.
- At 96, Wilma V moved to Yulee six months ago and has found real pleasure in coming to the senior center. She absolutely loves the entertainment, bingo and meals.
- Harry B attributes The Club staff and volunteers at NCCOA with changing him from “a dormant person watching TV at home to an active individual.”
- Katie W joined the Stressbusters’ group to help her cope with the isolation of being at home.
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Myriad opportunities
We offer a multitude of programs and classes that assist seniors in staying active in mind and body. As an instructor or participant, the variety is boundless.
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- In 2017, Steve R began taking classes in tai chi, yoga and fall prevention. Nowadays at The Club, he enjoys creating art, playing music, playing games, learning Spanish and going on field trip adventures.
- Judy B attended a “life” change group, plays Yahtzee, likes line dancing and lectures on various subjects.
- Shelley P appreciates being able to use a computer and printer in a relaxing, friendly environment.
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Make new friends, keep the old
As the song goes, new and old friends are invaluable. NCCOA helps foster and strengthen all friendships. Our senior life centers are where people can exchange stories about the past, present and future.
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- As she enters her 8th decade, Anne S has discovered that she is even more connected to people.
- Bettye P likes being with people her own age and Ida R appreciates the opportunity to meet new friends.
- Pat C and Jerry G say that NCCOA has a positive environment and friendly atmosphere…staff and volunteers care.
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You have purpose…we promise
As we grow older, we may not feel that our lives have value or purpose. Studies have shown that people who believe their lives have meaning appear to be happier and generally enjoy life to a greater extent.
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- Laura G lives her best life through NCCOA as a student by learning new skills and improving her overall well-being…as an instructor, her students have become friends and a type of extended family.
- As Judy W wrote, working with others not only helps them, but helps her.
- Mary B let us know that NCCOA has something for everyone.
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In life’s grand and challenging scheme, it just makes sense that NCCOA helps seniors live their best lives. It reaffirms the belief that people helping people is the universal key to health, happiness and long life.
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Cindy Dickinson is somewhat of an educational late bloomer. In 2010, at 64, she received a Master of Arts degree from Barry University. One of her major takeaways from this later-in-life experience is that we should never stop learning and exchanging ideas. Cindy is a longtime contributor to the work involved with NCCOA’s Gala (Saturday, January 20, 2024, 6-10 pm, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island). She lives in Yulee with her husband, Frank, and their 13-year-old fur baby, Sasha.