Living longer – but how ?
Doris opens her eyes. Sleepily she squints at the alarm. Oh, it is already so late and still so dark. Raindrops drum on the window panes. With this kind of weather you would rather pull the blanket over your head and not get up at all.
She feels an irritation in her throat. I do hope I shan’t fall ill is what she thinks with some worry. Had she not resolved to watch out for her health and wanted to implement her good resolution.
In spite of wind and cold she should get more exercise outside, well protected of course. Even a walk in the woods would be for her like an act of heroism, because she is so sensitive about the weather and catches a cold easily.
Mostly it starts with hoarseness. Jus imagine how terrible this could all be. She can already see herself lying in bed for days with high fever. I really must fix an appointment with the doctor, she thinks. He will surely tell me I need a rest. Yes this would be very good for her. Leave everything behind – cold, rain, frost, darkness just get away. Away to the sun – that is the solution. Even the predicted high pressure zone over the Azores cannot change her decision. Spontaneously she rings up her friend and tries to win her over for her plan. She needs all her powers of conviction and she manages it! Two weeks later both are on the road to the airport and are as happy as children about the holidays on a sunny island. They imagine the most wonderful experiences which will help them forget the day-to-day stress. Josee I’m happy that you can come with me says Doris. I wasn’t sure until now if you would withdraw.
Annemarie (Luxembourg)
Showing posts with label The easiest ways to live longer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The easiest ways to live longer. Show all posts
16/03/2007
After hours ?
Knitting socks ? Crocheting bibs? Sacrificing yourself for your loved ones or not so loved ones. Enough of masochistic nonsense and now forwards, or, should I say, to the mouse! Life long learning is the magic word to make senior citizens into sharp grannies and grandpas, if they are not already in this category. Science has revealed that grey-haired knowledge potential is remarkable – it just has to be stimulated and downloaded. But seriously speaking: neuro scientists have been of the opinion for quite some time that only a minor part of our mental performance capabilities are genetically programmed, and that no general degradation occurs in old age. The capability of being able to think in old age can influence our well-being positively. Gerontologists also share the opinion that pathological ageing processes cannot be stopped but that they can be drawn out.
Life-long learning (both required and facilitated) can be an alternative. A test-run throughout Europe will support this subject. Economically speaking, this means that human capital should be kept as long as possible in order to make bequeathed knowledge available to coming generations.
Never before have senior citizens been courted in the same way as today. State, communal and private supporting organisations outbid each other with educational offers specially for the elderly (-politically correct: seniors). Moreover, there is a network of European projects in which there are dozens of forums which chant the mantra of digital technique: “being on the inside is cool”. Being online means more than “knowing it”, it also means being able to keep up with people, means not being defenceless when confronted with communication technique and last but not least, the computer offers the possibility of socialising in a virtual way when reality in this connection leaves a lot to be desired.
Life-long learning can be delightful in spite of any problems the process of ageing might have. Social scientists and demographers are striking the alarm because the biological age limit has adjusted itself upwards. The legislator reacts hectically. Seniors capable of working should be led back into the working process. Being pensioned at 67 is a mere compromise. It is planned to release the elderly from work at the age of 70. The question poses itself if only the multimorbids will be able to have their rest ahead of time.
Finally, a more recent piece of information from the European Union: a work paper with the well-sounding name “Strategy, Growth and Occupation” points out that by the year 2017 we can reckon with more elderly employees being available for the work market.
We seniors, called “ a demographic time bomb” by badly bred politicians, are making ourselves fit for the future work market e.g. by participating in numerous workshops or on the Union’s subsidised “ life-long learning”.
HOLI (Luxembourg)
Knitting socks ? Crocheting bibs? Sacrificing yourself for your loved ones or not so loved ones. Enough of masochistic nonsense and now forwards, or, should I say, to the mouse! Life long learning is the magic word to make senior citizens into sharp grannies and grandpas, if they are not already in this category. Science has revealed that grey-haired knowledge potential is remarkable – it just has to be stimulated and downloaded. But seriously speaking: neuro scientists have been of the opinion for quite some time that only a minor part of our mental performance capabilities are genetically programmed, and that no general degradation occurs in old age. The capability of being able to think in old age can influence our well-being positively. Gerontologists also share the opinion that pathological ageing processes cannot be stopped but that they can be drawn out.
Life-long learning (both required and facilitated) can be an alternative. A test-run throughout Europe will support this subject. Economically speaking, this means that human capital should be kept as long as possible in order to make bequeathed knowledge available to coming generations.
Never before have senior citizens been courted in the same way as today. State, communal and private supporting organisations outbid each other with educational offers specially for the elderly (-politically correct: seniors). Moreover, there is a network of European projects in which there are dozens of forums which chant the mantra of digital technique: “being on the inside is cool”. Being online means more than “knowing it”, it also means being able to keep up with people, means not being defenceless when confronted with communication technique and last but not least, the computer offers the possibility of socialising in a virtual way when reality in this connection leaves a lot to be desired.
Life-long learning can be delightful in spite of any problems the process of ageing might have. Social scientists and demographers are striking the alarm because the biological age limit has adjusted itself upwards. The legislator reacts hectically. Seniors capable of working should be led back into the working process. Being pensioned at 67 is a mere compromise. It is planned to release the elderly from work at the age of 70. The question poses itself if only the multimorbids will be able to have their rest ahead of time.
Finally, a more recent piece of information from the European Union: a work paper with the well-sounding name “Strategy, Growth and Occupation” points out that by the year 2017 we can reckon with more elderly employees being available for the work market.
We seniors, called “ a demographic time bomb” by badly bred politicians, are making ourselves fit for the future work market e.g. by participating in numerous workshops or on the Union’s subsidised “ life-long learning”.
HOLI (Luxembourg)
14/03/2007
The house of the future or dreaming is allowed.
My husband and I worked together for many years in order to make our dream of having a homestead come true. Two children grew up in it and it also harbours my beloved mother. Until today we have been living very much satisfied within our four light-flooded walls. Constructed in 1989, our house was equipped with the necessary comfort: spacious rooms, central heating, an open fireplace in the living room, a flat for mother and an extended attic where the children could lark about. Yes, we had even thought about roller blinds with a built-in time switch and an electric sun canopy. With these things, we had laid a solid basis for a happy and life long togetherness.
But we had not reckoned with the innovative and slightly futuristic enterprises presenting us with the house of the future 2007. From the outside, it looked just like our traditional detached house but behind the façade, there appeared a galactic house technology of infinite dimensions.
Behind bright fair faced concrete walls we find ourselves in the “Event Hall”; a long drawn out counter above which there are flat screens let into the wall – testifying to a Microsoft Network joining all the computers, telephone and screens in the building together through the help of electro magnetic waves. Wireless news about events, the restaurant menu – everything is possible.
Self opening doors, automatic light switches and roller blinds that “think” all belong to everyday life. Photovoltaic modules assure the electric current supply. The information and communication technology makes the mirror in the bathroom speak, an LCD TV saves us from getting bored while having a shower. In the living room, we are welcomed by a hi-fi system combined with a flat screen which is so big you need a delivery van to transport it. Wireless technology will read the bar code on food. When a housewife holds a packet of Italian noodles under the scanner of her electronic pin board, her computer depicts several ways to prepare them. If she wishes, the lady of the house can start a video in which a good-humoured TV Chef shows what you can do with a packet of noodles.
The age of intelligent habitation has therefore already dawned, but will we still have interpersonal relationships in our families in the future?
Maoussi (Luxembourg)
My husband and I worked together for many years in order to make our dream of having a homestead come true. Two children grew up in it and it also harbours my beloved mother. Until today we have been living very much satisfied within our four light-flooded walls. Constructed in 1989, our house was equipped with the necessary comfort: spacious rooms, central heating, an open fireplace in the living room, a flat for mother and an extended attic where the children could lark about. Yes, we had even thought about roller blinds with a built-in time switch and an electric sun canopy. With these things, we had laid a solid basis for a happy and life long togetherness.
But we had not reckoned with the innovative and slightly futuristic enterprises presenting us with the house of the future 2007. From the outside, it looked just like our traditional detached house but behind the façade, there appeared a galactic house technology of infinite dimensions.
Behind bright fair faced concrete walls we find ourselves in the “Event Hall”; a long drawn out counter above which there are flat screens let into the wall – testifying to a Microsoft Network joining all the computers, telephone and screens in the building together through the help of electro magnetic waves. Wireless news about events, the restaurant menu – everything is possible.
Self opening doors, automatic light switches and roller blinds that “think” all belong to everyday life. Photovoltaic modules assure the electric current supply. The information and communication technology makes the mirror in the bathroom speak, an LCD TV saves us from getting bored while having a shower. In the living room, we are welcomed by a hi-fi system combined with a flat screen which is so big you need a delivery van to transport it. Wireless technology will read the bar code on food. When a housewife holds a packet of Italian noodles under the scanner of her electronic pin board, her computer depicts several ways to prepare them. If she wishes, the lady of the house can start a video in which a good-humoured TV Chef shows what you can do with a packet of noodles.
The age of intelligent habitation has therefore already dawned, but will we still have interpersonal relationships in our families in the future?
Maoussi (Luxembourg)
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