Monday, 1 May 2017

CAMPUS CHRONICLE!

I came to live in this campus a year and a half ago. Believe you me it is one of a kind! Comprising three acres of pristine property in the heart of the old Cantonment of namma new fangled Metro it is an idyllic retreat from the fuss and bother of life that throbs in the vicinity around it. It is home to eighty plus senior citizens, some of who are not far from a century in age. Physically and mentally there are all kinds of everyone in residence here giving me an exclusive opportunity to experience in depth what to expect as one gets older and older. I by the by, am 67! I’ve been severely arthritic since 37 so the physical challenges aren’t new to me. In fact it amuses me how old folk resist them as being natural to the ageing process, and refuse orthotic aids and other comfort appliances to simplify their daily chores. I switch with ease to a walker or wheel chair or no assistance depending on the terrain I need to traverse so as to make it easy on myself and avoid any apprehension that I might land in a heap on the ground. I’ve dealt with surgeries for medically advised joint replacements and other unexpected emergencies. It is the mental, psychological and emotional approach with which seniors tackle advancing age that I find fascinating to engage with while I attack my own!  There are two categories – the winners and the whiners…

Winners I’ve found are mainly among those who have been left to their own resources to swim or sink. They’ve thus discovered some inner stability and strength to cope with tough situations, smile through good days and endure the bad ones knowing they will pass. Some win by drifting off into an oblivion of their own, be it a world of fantasy where they dream of deserted beloved returning to claim them or just suffer delusions, or perhaps dementia which again lead them into a make believe world. For the former it may cause turmoil but can be a challenge to fight, for the latter it can be an escape from harsh realities of the daily life. What is soothing here is the freedom to roam among the trees and the birds, sit awhile with fellow companions, attend functions together and share camaraderie in the community hall. Adjustments are plenty and arguments especially in common shared areas abound I’m sure, but all in all whiners are few and can be won over by a mere listening ear is my experience thus far, as they are mature enough to realize there is no remedy for old age other than accepting it gracefully and just getting on with whatever it brings our way…

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