I have been fortunate to get this article up and published by our Australian Broadcasting Commission.
Have a look.
We all get there sooner or later!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-18/oosterman-growing-old/4827822
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Oosterman Treats Blog 
July 18, 2013 at 2:13 am |
Yay, well done Gerard on getting your cause ever wider! Vote for Gerard?
In the UK all the media insurance plan “selling” on tv is done at teatime, 4pm’ish, while here in the US, ever optimistic and never say never, the media pitches are all driven to the benefits of . . . Viagra!
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July 18, 2013 at 2:37 am |
Viagra? Are they advertising Viagra at teatime too? Do the Americans mix it with something, perhaps vanilla yoghurt and then eat Viagra as a dessert? The mind boggles.
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July 18, 2013 at 4:35 am |
Geat post again Gerard. It is all so true. I get ads in the mail for funeral policies, hearing aids, eye glasses, applications for extending my morgage, of which I have none and all manner of stupid trash that is all aimed at trying to snag a senile and unsuspecting elder. In fact I think all of this BS is elder abuse. I am so sick of it all. Your article really is so true.
I feel there is predjuce against the elderly and we are now seen as second rate or no rate citizens. The young set are failing to realize that they too will someday be elderly. Franky I don’t like be known as a senior citizen but that is how life goes and you either make the best of it or sink into despair.
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July 18, 2013 at 5:56 am |
Thanks petspeopleandlife,
I was lucky to get this post up. I think it will be a massive challenge to get to care for so many that might well end up needing good care. With years of lowering taxes the kitty needs to get topped up and that’s not going to be very popular.
As for aging; was it not Bernard Shaw who said? There are two tragedies in life. One is not to get to your heart’s desire. The other is to get it.
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July 18, 2013 at 4:55 am |
Just found and read your post on the ABC, Gerard. It is a whimsical take on life in the slow lane. I don’t mind being called a Senior Citizen. It is a badge of honour. We seen it all and are now able to observe the x- and y-generation as they try to cope with their own expectations of life. They will fail of course.
Congratulation for spreading your words to a wider audience.
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July 18, 2013 at 5:46 am |
Thanks Berlioz. I feel the same and have no qualms about my age, never really did. It’s when coming out of the shower and look in the mirror (accidentally) that I see a comic, almost biblical figure such as Job or a Lazarus.
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July 18, 2013 at 5:44 am |
Well done, Gerard, for getting your cause in lights. I was amused by the comment from someone who (rightly) said we are all ageing. It just so happens that we don’t really notice it for about 50 years. If you really want to experience neglect of the elderly, move to Hong Kong. But be ready to work until you are 90. On the bright side you can ride on public transport fro HK$2. You just can’t afford to eat.
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July 18, 2013 at 6:10 am |
Yes, getting old happens and most of aging start from birth. I am sorry that HK is so bad for the old.
It’s nice to be getting older and when the phone rings hope it is not for you. Most calls I get now are for an auto electrician, I don’t know why.
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July 18, 2013 at 6:27 am |
Congratulations on getting published, I very much hope that this is the start of a trend. Your voice needs/deserves to be heard!
We watched a film the other day called ‘Amour’ written and directed by Michael Haneke, not sure if you have seen it but it’s pretty splendid and a very illuminating take on old age, marriage and ultimately death. probably not something to watch if you’ve had a bad day.
I intend to grow old very disgracefully, I think it’s the only way to do it.
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July 18, 2013 at 9:28 am |
Saw Haneke’s ‘Hidden’ and thought it pretty wonderful, my favourite French actress, Juliet Binoche, excellent as always…
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July 18, 2013 at 1:24 pm
Mine too, Helvi.
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July 18, 2013 at 9:23 am |
The whole ABC Drum is in lockdown. Not a single response is getting through. I think the elderly are seething at the ramparts of the ABC , yielding, nay brandishing golf clubs and umbrellas. A man was seen hurling his wooden leg through a window, an elderly lady used her electric wheelchair to breach the front door. It is just the beginning.
Rise up, demand the rights of good aged care and our voice at the ABC Drum.
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July 19, 2013 at 3:55 am |
Mr. G.O.: Now I see what you have been up to. This was a wonderful piece and I could hear your quirky humor yet you made your point well. I see that you mentioned socks twice but I was disappointed that you did not give a plug for your favorite Danish socks.
All kidding aside, you might be growing older but you are going to live forever with your mighty words and blog. I am quite sure that you will find a way to send us a post from the Other Side…..decades from now of course. Hopefully it will not be too hot where you are and I’m praying for the best for you, for fluffy clouds and a harp. I hope you like the harp.
Congrats on your published piece! So proud of you!
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July 19, 2013 at 7:01 am |
Thanks Diva. You are kind.
Yes, fluffy clouds and a harp? I am not sure. Are they into heavy Metal or Santana and nose rings?
For you Diva;
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July 21, 2013 at 3:21 am
Awwww, I just found this and couldn’t see it on my end when I checked! How did you know that’s my fave Santana/Matchbox 20 Guy combo? You have great taste in music. I think they have all kinds of music in the clouds w/ harps….or guitars……pierced ears, noses or not. Cheers!
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July 19, 2013 at 9:10 am |
Loved the article, Gerard. Don’t totally agree with it (well, I wouldn’t, would I?!) but I’m glad you made the case for us oldsters.
Just musing, but I think one of the things that is not talked about enough is the fact that all those 90-somethings have “kids” in their 60s and 70s worrying about them, taking responsibility for them, paying out money from their own retirement plans to help out Dad or, or, more often, Mom. My own Mom is in a retirement home near Vancouver, and while her basic financial needs are being met from her own savings and pensions, my sister, who lives nearby, is carrying a lot of the “extras” and the emotional and physical load of dealing with Mom, the home, and everything in between. My sis is 60 and pretty close to being an “oldie” but has a weight to carry, and I can’t do much about it, except send the odd cheque and visit every couple of years.
Go back 50 years or so, and most people survived retirement age by a couple of years. Now, we look at this yawning gap where people can live another 30 or 40 years, and no government, no pension scheme, can really deal with that…..
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July 19, 2013 at 10:39 am |
Yes, I don’t think it is beyond solving. My mum lived till she was in her mid nineties but enjoyed very good care. When dad reached the age of retirement they sold up in Australia and moved back to Holland.
They had already experienced terrible times with their eldest son Frank who had chronic and severe schizophrenia and as a result of years of lobbying the Dutch Government he was repatriated back to Holland. He is there now, alive and well, albeit in an institution. He is well cared for, well dressed, gets his teeth and feet looked after and has his own money to buy whatever he feels he needs and is within his pension. In Australia, I doubt he would be still alive.
The same for aged care. It cost money and with taxation being lowered by successive governments in Australia there just isn’t money for quality care.
With about 30 cents in the dollar taxation in Australia against over 50 cents in most Northern European Countries it doesn’t take much to understand those differences in care.
I would have thought though that Canada was far ahead in those sorts of social needs.
It can be dealt with through legislation and higher taxes. I already know that lots of young people are paying towards retirement by compulsive super topped up by employers.
We are faced with the same problem, getting older but still healthy, but…for how much longer? Old age care here is back in the dark ages, unless… you have money. It should not be like that.
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July 20, 2013 at 1:12 pm |
The images in this post had me laughing out loud.
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July 20, 2013 at 11:16 pm |
Hello Hilary,
Laughing out loud is a great compliment. Glad you did laugh and… thank you.
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