Written by Zara, 62 years old [Indian].
I miss the days when I was young and strong, taking care of others, including my mum as she grew older. The last thing I wanted at that time was to be totally dependent on someone else. I envisaged myself remaining strong and agile in my old age, playing with my grandchildren, going out with my friends, and relaxing, spending time taking care of myself for once, but fate has a way of jerking us into reality. With multiple health challenges, I find myself visiting the doctor more often than I would have liked, feeling weak and being forced to slow down. Now I’m just grateful for the good days when I feel strong enough to engage in walking exercises and chair yoga. I even manage to attend the gym occasionally.
After the devastating challenges I suffered during Covid-19 I find myself having to visit the doctor’s surgery at least two or three times a week for various appointments. I feel comfortable speaking with the health professionals because I believe they can help me diagnose any health issues and prescribe appropriate treatment regimes, something I cannot do by myself. I explain myself freely to them about my health issues. They always receive me well and I feel welcome when I am with the doctors which is different from my experience with the receptionist or administrative staff.
In fact, I recently switched surgeries because it was becoming more and more difficult to see the GP. The new electronic system the surgery has put in place makes me feel as if I am on a wild goose chase. I find it very frustrating. Previously one could ring the surgery at 8:00 a.m. and get a same-day appointment with the GP. However, since the new electronic system was introduced, it could take up to an hour for someone to answer the call only to be told that there are no appointments. They will then send a link but since I am not computer savvy, I usually ask then to help me complete the form which requires personal details I feel should not be discussed with non-medical professions. I am then sent another link to book an appointment which is usually prolonged. On average it used to take about two weeks for me to be seen by a doctor which was making me anxious, especially because of my failing health. I was not happy with the service at all. Thankfully, since switching surgeries I now get the appointments when I need them. Moreover, I have the option of choosing the doctor I felt comfortable with like female doctors which I prefer, an option that was not available at my previous surgery.
I think healthcare professionals should be more caring, compassionate, and accommodating towards older people. Not everyone is able to complete the online appointment booking forms. I am not very old, but I struggle to fill in the forms. I feel sorry for older people who are unable to get their appointments on time. They are subjected to unreasonable waiting time and by the time the appointment eventually takes place, the situation had worsened. I honestly believe the system should revert to what it was before, where a simple telephone call is made to book appointments.
Fortunately for me I have a positive outlook on life. Though I am now in my 60s, I still feel quite young. As I grow older, I have become wiser, making healthier food choices, exercising as much as my body will allow me and reducing the number of medications I take.
Aging for me is a different experience to what I imagined it would be when I was young. The good thing is that I am managing myself well, volunteering at the community centre near my home and caring for other older people who are frailer than I am.
At the same time, I manage to spend time with my grandchildren who fortuitously live a few doors away from mine. I have a loving family, and this gives me joy. I spend a lot of time shopping with my daughter and grandchildren, going to the park, and spending quality time together.
When I look at myself, I wish I never had the health issues I suffer from such as diabetes, sleep apnoea and so forth, and did not have to take the medications I take to manage the symptoms. For me, that would have been successful aging. Nevertheless, I am grateful that I still manage to do the thigs I love doing such as reading, cooking, cleaning shopping, praying, meeting up with friends, helping my family and other older people. On the days when I feel down, I simply sit back and watch television.
The thing I fear most in old age is not being able to take care of myself, not being able to cook or do my own house chores by myself. I do not want to be a burden on my children, grandchildren, or anyone else. This is why I try to engage a healthy lifestyle so that I get stronger even in old age.