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Getting on with getting older

As a twenty-something attending a seminar on positive ageing, I wasn’t sure quite what to expect.

I arrive at Orewa Presbyterian Church to find around 45 older people seated and expectantly waiting for the presentation to begin. They’ve come from the local community to attend a seminar called ‘Getting on with Getting Older’ – the newest in a suite of free seminars offered by Presbyterian Support Northern to Presbyterian parishes.

The joint presenters, Sue Braithwaite from Presbyterian Support Northern and Melanie Jaggs from Age Concern begin by giving us a run down on the topics they are going to cover during the seminar. It all sounds very interesting – myths about getting older, issues that we can expect to face, how to cope with change, technology, exercise and diet and even a relaxation technique. So far so good.

We launch into the first topic – the perceptions, myths and attitudes that younger people have about growing older. As we go through the list of myths, such as ‘creativity and original thought peak in the late forties and decline thereafter’ I find I’m challenged with a lot of preconceived ideas that I seem to have collected.

As we continue through the topics I’m amazed at how interactive the seminar is. These people are really getting into it. They’re asking questions, making jokes and speaking their minds – and it’s all being brilliantly pulled together by the very able and clearly experienced presenters.

At morning tea I engage in an in-depth conversation with an 80+ woman about mobile phone technology and how she’s able to keep in touch with her daughter in Australia via text messaging. Awesome stuff.

The rest of the seminar is filled with more practical advice and information, and the presenters continue to engage the audience and have a good laugh while doing it.

At the end of the day I can hear how receptive the attendees are to what has been discussed, with comments such as “I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was well worth it“, “very dynamic speakers” and “I found it encouraging, they talked about very relevant topics…..”

And so it seems the seminar is not only informative, practical and relevent - its inspiring, light-hearted and entertaining too.

- by Rachel McQuerry, Communication and Marketing Advisor, Presbyterian Support Northern