It’s graduation time again, and I am writing this blog today to encourage all students of Aging and budding new Gerontologists who want to have vibrant careers while serving the population we love: older adults and their families. We all learn as we go along…so keep showing up! In 2010 and beyond, keep refining your skills and focus the passion you began with. Every job or experience you can add to your “toolkit” within our field adds to your expertise. Be one of the Gerontologists who is ever-seeking to find answers to questions like: “How do we age more successfully?”; “What is ‘successful aging’ to a particular individual?” and “What application of gerontology fits what I do best?”
“Ship it imperfect” is a business concept that means getting to the marketplace earlier than later is important. Apple iPhones employ this strategy; that’s why Apple cheerfully upgrades its technology customers. Buzz is all about getting to the marketplace first.
“Fix it in the mix” is a music-studio term meaning that the music editor can cut and splice imperfections out of the finished track. Movies and taped TV shows employ the same strategy; that’s why “live” awards shows are tricky (reality is not always pretty to watch).
“Photoshop” is both a computer program and technique employed to correct minor (and sometimes major) imperfections in photos, and “photoshop it” is a term meaning to clean-up imperfections before that product is viewed by the general public.
These are terms that most of us understand and can apply judiciously. Although I recoil at “ship it imperfect”, “fix it in the mix” and “photoshop it” as a “usual and customary” way of doing business, most caregivers will tell you that solutions for short-term human-needs problems that could become permanent without intervention are really important. A 24-hour stop-gap measure in fall prevention, proper nutrition or a housing situation is critical. Helping people age well is what Gerontologists do best!
Find your place in the sunshine (oh, I hear Eric Clapton and Cream in the background!) of your love for older adults in what you do best. Whatever you choose, remember that you cannot truly make decisions for your elderly loved ones or anyone else who is older until you have faced your own aging hopes and fears. One day, you will be old, and better to start earlier than later. Ask yourself my “Elderspeak™” questions, and answer them honestly…because you cannot deal with anyone else’s old age until you deal with your own first!
What does “quality of living” mean to you?
What does your elderly loved one or client look forward to in life?
What three things do you consider “must haves” in old age?
So keep showing up…it’s not only your life and your career. You have a unique chance to improve the lives of many older adults and the younger people they love. Congrats!
© 2010 Diane Alexander Patterson, MSG, CPG “If good real estate is about location, location, location, then ‘success in aging’ is about attitude, attitude, attitude!” www.SeasonofLife.net
