So far in the readings, in discussions in class and through lectures we have learned about how the age group of 85 and older in our society continues to grow while the other age groups in our society have continued to stay relatively the same. We are growing older as an entire society. We also have discussed Ageism and how each and every one of us are ageists. As well as the physical and mental effects as one grows older; such as normal declines of organ systems, weaken senses and a decline in mental health in general.
The documentary, Age of Champions, follows several athletes who are well into their later years of life to the National Senior Olympics. There is The Tigerettes; a group of senior women who play on a basketball team and they are definitely not to be messed with. There is also a tennis player who is 100 years old, named Roger Gentilhomme, who is surprisingly still very spry. And also Adolf Hoffman, a pole-vaulter at the age of 86! This film depicted elderly life, especially in the years after 85, to be much more like “a new life” as Roger Gentilhomme would put it. It showed several active senior citizens who seem to be in their prime and living life to its fullest despite their growing age and physical declines. They seem as though to be un-phased by it.
The documentary, Living Old, reveals the crisis of what life is like for those who are 85 and older; which is our fastest growing segment of our population. Even though we are now able to live longer due to our advanced medical treatments, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the quality of life is more advanced for those in this age bracket. Living into this age segment could often mean debilitating declines in mental and physical health which almost always needs an immense amount of care. But there is a paradox in this topic, because even though this age group is growing, the number of caregivers and doctors qualified to care for the elderly is shrinking. So there are lesser and lesser people to provide the needed care for this elderly group that continues to grow at a faster rate than ever before. This documentary compared to the first is vastly different and depicts life for those over 85 to be vastly different. Instead of living life to its fullest and being active, the senior citizens in this film are barely making it through each day and definitely aren’t able to care for themselves.
Yes I would say that the films impacted me emotionally. I felt several emotions, but most of all I felt sadness and empathy. When I saw each elderly person, such as the woman who is bed ridden with a leg wound or the man who is nearly deaf and blind, I became concerned and sad because I think of my own grandmother who lives with my