The essence of this life. 

'Everyone who is born must die' and yet the life has to be lived. The ambitions have to be fulfilled, the greater heights have to be  reached and the children have to be brought up. 
All along, however, we keep heading towards that door where we have to leave behind everything connected with this world and go into the realms of the unknown.

 From childhood, we step into the youth and from the youth we step into  another period of our lives. This, the old age, passes very slowly and as if, lingers on till we reach that end which some people call the "Moksha" while others name  it as the day of the reckoning. The longest time, thus one gets to spend, is in the old age.The old age today has been classified into a few groups. This is classified depending upon the age groups and the entailing health, social and financial situation of a person. The first group is for the people who are between the ages 65 to 75 and  are called the 'Young Old'.The second group is for the people who are between the ages of 75 and 85 and are called 'Old'.And the third group belongs to the people who are above the age of 85 and are called 'Very Old'.

One would have noticed that the health takes a sudden downwards turn as  one crosses 70 and this is applicable all across the spectrum. Whether one is  active or not, the downslide invariably starts at that time and one can only prolong  the period of good health by various activities, but there is no avoiding the downhill  descent and therefore, it is necessary to start accepting it.The issues of the people in these three groups of the elders differ in their  relevance & importance but the old age has similar issues for everyone reaching the age of the grey.The 'young old' are the ones who suffer the most when their main occupation, their daily job goes as they are made to retire. The expanse of 'long hours with nothing to do' stares at the person in a most disturbing manner. The immediate result of this no work situation results in reduced status and lower importance  in the social and family standings. Reduced finances can hit the self-esteem

 in the hardest possible manner, but that is the stark truth.

'The Old' are usually more content with their status and their general situation, as they become more accepting of the changed scenario. Their health at this time  becomes a major issue and more often than not, they need the care from their 

family members. Some people happen to spend this period more happily because  they start looking for happiness in small things of life.The 'Very Old' however, have just one major issue and that is the day-to-day survival with ever falling health. The other issues that occupy their minds is about the

 disposal of their worldly things, the execution of a Will as also of the 'Living Will'. 'The End' somehow, keeps staring them in the face on a daily basis and that may lead to depression and other mental issues. The daily chores have to  be carried out with very much reduced physical strength. These people will need  an assisted care from not only the family members but also from  the professionals trained for this purpose.The most important thing in all this is the 'Mind' and the attitude of the elderly heading into the last years. A positive mind and an accepting personality, simply watching the happenings, is more likely to see one through these years when 

it becomes so difficult to while away the time. One has to start enjoying one's own company. Sort out the financial matters, execute the Wills and unburden oneself of the worry and attachments. This should be an important goal for all elders.

Life has to end. The days are uncertain. 

Let's prepare for that final journey while we are with a healthy mind. 'The End' is inevitable and unavoidable. So no worry! 

Two things nobody has ever seen personally. These are one's own birth and the death. We would really not know when we are gone.'The End' is actually a bliss, a freedom and a journey to the unknown.Maybe, we will meet with all our own who have gone earlier -or- Maybe, we will meet the Almighty!!

_Posted by: Zehera Kassam <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

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