On April 30th, 2020, our President proclaimed May 2020 as Older Americans Month. “During Older Americans Month, we pause to draw upon the wisdom, spirit, and experience older adults bring to our families, our communities, and our Nation.” – Donald J. Trump, Proclamation on Older Americans Month, 2020.
The pandemic has certainly cast light on the vulnerability of older Americans. COVID-19 has brought the focus onto the health of older Americans, the need for social distancing, and the intense caution that must be heeded in nursing homes, geriatric units of hospitals, and 55+ adult communities. We have put the emphasis on the gray hairs and underlying medical conditions but there is much more than just the physical changes as we all age. During this time of crisis, let us stop and recognize those invaluable, esteemed members of our society, our senior citizens, and the incredible feats that can be accomplished during the “golden years”.
Even after the so-called “retirement age,” many older Americans spend their time volunteering, mentoring young people, learning new skills, and still reaching great heights in their careers. The truth is as Mark Twain stated, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Accordingly, it is never too late to accomplish something amazing and the following list proves that. Judge for yourself:
- The first American to orbit the Earth, John Glenn made history again when, at the age of 77, he became the oldest person to travel in space.
- At 66, Noah Webster completed his monumental “American Dictionary of the English Language.”
- Sigmund Freud was 82 years old when he wrote his seminal work, An Outline of Psycho-Analysis.
- At 68, the English experimentalist Sir William Crookes began investigating radioactivity and invented a device for detecting alpha particles.
- At 88, Michelangelo created the architectural plans for the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
- Teiichi Igaraski was 99 when he climbed Mt. Fuji.
- At 89, Arthur Rubenstein performed one of his greatest recitals in Carnegie Hall.
- At 82, William Ivy Baldwin became the oldest tightrope walker, crossing the South Boulder Canyon in Colorado on a 320-foot wire.
The list goes on and on. We want to take this moment to thank our seniors because their importance transcends babysitting grandchildren, storytelling, cooking, and great listening skills. Even though our bodies weaken, growing older yields an immense ocean of wisdom and experience that teach us to preserve traditions and praise cultural values. Thank you to our older friends for such worthy contributions!
Our law firm is here to assist you, your family, and the elderly population with any legal questions that may arise during these trying times. Contact OC Estate and Elder Law at (954) 251-0332 or info@ocestatelawyers.com for a free phone consultation. Our attorneys are fluent in English, Spanish, and Russian.
