21 truth about getting older in the 21th century (and before)

I just read this post on buzzfeed and thought many of you will recognize your aging loved one or residents you care forin some of these "Hard To Swallow" truths about getting older. For me, as the son of an 89 y.o mother, the 21st sounded particularly true!

1. Eyesight: Your vision gets worse. "My eyesight has gotten worse over the years, and it's really annoying having to use reading glasses for almost everything. I look at different painting jobs I've done over the years, and my work keeps getting worse because I can't see properly." —furryelf66
   
2. Balance: "No one expects to realize how tenuous this becomes. The fear of falling changes so many other aspects of life. Also, reverting to the same challenges of a toddler: words, distance walking, heavy lifting, grasping new ideas, and lots more." —Anonymous
   
3. Invisibility: "No one sees me or pays attention to me. Doctors don't really listen to me. My husband, who is younger than me, does not walk with me when we are shopping. He walks behind me...I’m 84 and have no one except my husband." —Anonymous
   
4. Mental aging: "Not mentally aging and staying stuck in the past that made you comfortable. I think some people aren't able to break free and become bitter because of it." —laughingovercoat396
   
5. Retirement planning: "There is much more to retirement planning than financial. I still tutor for a local STEM high school, volunteer at a local museum, and help organize local food drives at 75. I have commitments booked for the next year and love how busy I am." —Mike, 75
   
6. Death: "No one ever talks about being afraid of how and when you will die. Everybody does, but as you get closer to the 'jumping-off place,' it will enter your mind more than you want it to, no matter how healthy you think you are." —happydolphin274
   
7. Body Hair: "Ear hair. Never even imagined...like, WTF?" —smellyelf643
   
8. Cultural irrelevance: "That the dominant pop culture and mass advertising is not interested in you, and you feel you are not part of what's happening. Even the new slang is outdated by the time you get it or hear it. Thus, you are left out of the day-to-day flow of the world." —Doug, Georgia
   
9. Workplace ageism: "Ageism in the workplace." —psychiclion30
   
10. Health limitations: "No matter how healthy you try to live, you will get health problems and die. You can delay health issues a bit, perhaps, but they'll come and accumulate...Be sure to enjoy life, too." —Chris, 55, Florida
    
11. Loss of loved ones: "Being alone due to the death of a significant other and not having anyone to take you to medical appointments (when you are not allowed to drive yourself) or do home projects that you can't." —Anonymous
    
12. Labels: "I wish we weren't referred to as 'senior citizens.' We don't call people 'junior citizens' until they turn 65!" —jives6471
    
13. Physical decline: "Getting old isn't for the weak. At 80, I can't hike alone in the woods anymore, and I don't think my kids would let me drive across the US by myself...I am lucky to have terrific hobbies, though." —surprisedbee181
    
14. Mindset: "The most frustrating part of getting older is listening to people who THINK and ACT like they are old...It isn't over 'til it's over, and I plan on living every day as if it were my last, with joy and hope." —Elisa, 60, New Mexico
    
15. Food intolerance: "I've become lactose intolerant and get reflux from anything sugary or fatty. There's no such thing as 'treating myself' to meals or snacks anymore because I will just suffer if I eat those foods. It's aggravating." —elliestew1212
    
16. Memory and dexterity: "Noticing my memory and dexterity slipping a bit...I see the looks I get when I can't find a word, or when I stumble when using the dumb card machines at the store. Those 'hurry up' and 'poor thing' eyes on me make me anxious...People are impatient with the elderly in today's fast-paced society." —Gina, 65
    
17. Random pain: "The one thing that's started happening to me on a surprisingly regular basis nowadays is when random body parts start hurting for no apparent reason." —leebo13
    
18. Feeling young inside: "Being called 'ma'am.' Whenever I hear it, I still look for someone else because I don't feel like a 'ma'am.' I think young people would be surprised to find that inside, you feel like the person you've always been." —s2kreno
    
19. Travel limitations: "Not being able to travel in the way one could when younger. On a recent trip to Paris, I was unable to use the metro because of the many stairs...Travel as much as you can while you are younger and agile!" —Anonymous
    
20. Lack of respect: "Younger people have no respect and talk awful to us! But they don't understand that one day, they will be in our shoes!" —joyfulhedgehog73
    
21. Letting go of perfection: "Realizing that you are not going to be the perfect gardener, financial planner, writer, lover, partner, or anything is daunting, but letting go of that notion of perfection is probably one of the most liberating things you can do. Life, after all, is that perfect imperfection, and once you see it, you are free."

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