My Experiences with the Older Generations and their Nutrition and Health

After reading "Health in the Later Years," by Armeda and Rebecca Ferrini, I found a few points that I find arguable (by my experiences with the elder generation). The most noted one was saying that older people are more likely to try new foods. I also wanted to mention the differences in quality of life between my great grandparents and my grandparents.
I have mentioned in a previous blog that older people are stubborn and when it comes to food that is an even more valid statement. I have grand parents of many different cultures and back grounds, and they are all stubborn about one thing, food. I have one grandmother who was raised on fried chicken and extremely starchy sides,and that is something she is not willing to let go of. She is in tip top condition when it comes to health, but she stuck on American Southern food. She doesn't budge when it comes to trying food of other cultures like Asian or Spanish cuisines. My grand parents on the other side of the family were raised on farms, so their delicacies consist of strict vegetables and fresh meats. My grandmother often makes her sauces, jams, and condiments (yes, my grandmother makes her own ketchup). It is odd, but often she will not eat out, or only eat selected items. My grandfather is the same way. He will not eat anything but grilled chicken and barbaqued meat. I think it is funny when we go to a seafood resturant and they order grilled chicken and vegetables. They too will not eat food of many other countries, except for fresh Spanish foods of course. I know they are the only elders that I am using as an example, but they come from extremely different back grounds and have seen it alot in the older generations.
Another important point I thought to touch on, is the quality of life in older generations. I think that people who were brought up on farms and more natural nutrition live a more fulfilling quality of life. My great grandmother wouldn't eat anything she couldn't/didn't grow. She had a farm complete with cattle, chicken, pigs, and an entire vegetable farm. She was totally dependent on what she raised. She monitored what her livestock ate and therefore knew EVERYTHING she was eating. I can understand why my generation is reverting back to the "go green" movement, our great grandparents and even grand parents are living more fulfilling and happier lives. Doctors and medicines, back in the day, were used as a last result, like medicine. My great grandmother took no medicines and died peacefully of natural causes when she was 97 years old. My grandparents now, who live a stress free life, not to often tainted by modern medicine or now almost 80 years of age, and get around like teenagers, they are dependent on no one for anything. My grand father, who east like my great grandmother, still runs a fully functioning mechanic shop that he manages, yet can do everything that his younger employees can do. I just hope that changing my lifestyle to be more like theirs in my 20s while help me live a more fulfilling quality of life too.

Elderly People and Driving Regulations

I have mixed emotions about making people over 65 get recertified to drive. I believe strongly, with the statistics, that older people should drive because they are more prone to accidents, and their ability to use their motor skills to their optimal potential is hindered. The recertification test could decrease the number of fatalities when it comes to automobiles. I believe if the recertification test is put into place, that older people should also take a class and pass it on the dangers of driving while elderly.
The cons to having older people get recertified include the fact that it kind of takes away their independence, almost back to baby step days. They are humans and adults, but making them take the test is somewhat belittled. Just like we have anti discriminatory laws in the work place we should have them when it comes to using public safety.

The Rumors about Old People

The common stereotypes that I have heard about old people is that they are stubborn, unable to learn, and smell, are some negative stereotypes. Some good stereotypes are they are wise and giving.
I personally believe that a lot of the older generation are stubborn. The majority of the ones that I have run across were raised with the strict, “old school,” way of life, and are stuck in their ways of doing things. A lot of old people are afraid of trying new things for the fear that new is bad. They often stick to the fact that what they have been used to is good, and what works and has always worked is the best. This is understandable, but because a lot of them have this attitude toward things that can help them in life, like medicine, they can possibly be missing out on a betterment of their quality of life. As far as judgmental concerns go, it reflected back to stubbornness. Old people are not necessary judgmental, I think they are more or less shocked by what is acceptable in society now-a-days. They are more vocal about their concerns then younger generations tend to be.
I think the elderly are able to learn they just either don’t bother, or absorb information at such a slow pace it isn’t recognized. Everyone is able to learn, but the rate and method that the elderly learn is different. I do not think this is a valid statement. The elderly are capable of learning. As far as smell is concern, a lot of older people do tend to carry an odor. As noted in my “Healthcare Needs of the Elderly,” textbook, the changes in the body of the elderly often alters their outward appearance, and apparently odor. The elderly often use older, somewhat less effective hygiene methods, therefore an odor can sometimes be apparent.
Elderly are also thought of as wise and giving. I think this is true in a lot of cases. They are always willing to give things they have or have collected in the past. I think the elder generation is used to, in a lot of cases, having the bare minimum, or had multiple brothers and sisters, so learned how to sacrifice some a lot. Elderly are considered wise because in actuality they have lived through a lot and experiences a lot more and more difficult situations then a lot of the younger generations. They are willing to share their knowledge so that the generations to follow can avoid some mistakes. Regardless, elders deserve respect and should be regarded as sacred members of any society.