Note from the Editor:
This article was kindly written for the SDC by retired psychologist/ member @Joy Straw.

Recently, when having a conversation with a group of strong, independent women aged between 65 and 85, the conversation did the usual rounds of politics and current events. We then moved on to talk about what everybody was doing currently. Several people in the group said it was just amazing to get out of bed in the morning, which brought a lot of laughter. A few others discussed their children/grandchildren visiting. One person discussed having started a whole new project making sourdough bread for the first time. The general consensus was why on Earth would you start something brand-new that you’ve never done before? When the person went on to discuss how exciting it felt to try something brand-new. She laughed about the disasters and was thrilled at finally achieving a beautiful loaf of bread. This got me thinking, 'When do we stop?' When do we decide that we’re too old? When do we decide we can’t do something new?

Another friend recently discussed wanting to go skydiving (my worst nightmare) and had planned to do it the following month. Unfortunately, her family talked her out of it. She thought she might do it sneakily later when they weren’t around.



Why do some people continue trying to learn new things, and why is this important?
Mentally, we need to have some form of mental stimulus for as long as we are breathing. Research shows that those who continue to engage in education or learn new activities extend their life and have better mental health. Research in 2024 at a symposium on Dementia showed quite clearly the correlation between learning new things and continuing to challenge ourselves has a strong impact on whether or not some people develop dementia or not.



Another friend has now had to start to use a wheelchair due to the fact that her physical health has deteriorated so much. She was determined to keep going no matter what. So rather than sit at home and isolate herself further mentally and physically, she chose to jump in a wheelchair and take herself off and about. This has had a wonderful effect on her mental well-being.

As we get older, we are met with more and more challenges, whether it be physical, mental or even emotional, as we need to compensate for a decline in physical health. Recently, talking to a 95-year-old person, I was amazed at their attitude to life. They still walked down the hill to the local coffee shop a kilometre away and back up. They always had a smile on their face. Always out there trying to help somebody and constantly taking themselves off to the city for the latest exhibition or theatre outing. Compare this to another person who just turned 90 and had withdrawn. She no longer applied her impeccable makeup, and her hair was left unruly and uncombed. She had basically given up. This person, like the previous person, was always out and about and always busy going somewhere. When she reached 90, she decided she was an old woman and had given up.



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