This October, Queensland Seniors Month kicks off, an annual celebration initiated in 1960 that provides opportunities to promote positive community attitude towards older people and ageing, facilitates community participation, and enhances community connections.
The Australian Government’s mission behind Seniors Month is fostering age-friendly communities where seniors can lead healthy and productive lives and are connected and celebrated. At Oak Tree, Queensland Seniors Month provides a wonderful opportunity to host village events not only for our residents to enjoy, but for local seniors in the wider community also.
The 2024 Queensland Seniors Month theme is ‘Love Getting Older’, celebrating older Queenslanders as the heart and soul of our communities! In honour of this year’s theme, here are 5 reasons to embrace ageing and love getting older!
Wisdom and experience.
We often hear from our Oak Tree residents that life experience and wisdom they’ve gained are some of the most rewarding aspects of getting older.
As we age, we accumulate an abundance of both positive and negative experiences that give us the ability to navigate challenges more effectively and avoid mistakes we might have made when we were younger. These shape us as a person and the longer we live, the more perspective we gain.
Perhaps the best part about gaining life experience and wisdom is being able to pass it down to younger generations, whether that’s to your children, grandchildren, friends, and loved ones.
Confidence and self-acceptance.
One of the greatest gifts of ageing is becoming more comfortable in your own skin. As we get older, we tend to care less about what others think and focus more on things that fulfill us. We develop a stronger sense of self and become more confident in our identity, opinions, and values, allowing us to live a more authentic and carefree life.
People often find that as they get older, they become more self-assured and content, as there’s less societal expectations or pressures to conform, you have a clearer sense of identity and confidence about who you are, and you have the freedom to prioritise your happiness.
One of the most common answers to the question “what advice would you give your younger self?” is “be yourself and stop caring so much about what others think.” At the end of the day, as long as we’re happy with ourselves, that’s all that matters, and this realisation often comes with age and experience!
Freedom and flexibility.
Getting older and entering your retirement chapter brings an exciting opportunity to enjoy more freedom and time! You no longer have a traditional work schedule, and your children likely have their own careers or families keeping them busy, meaning your time can be spent doing the things that enrich your retirement – pursuing personal interests, ticking destinations off your bucket list, volunteering, spending quality time with friends and family, or simply enjoying a slower pace of life.
At Oak Tree, we take away the maintenance responsibilities that come with owning a home, providing our residents with a relaxed lifestyle that prioritises them. Precious time can be spent enjoying the recreation facilities with loved ones, taking part in village activities like chair yoga or aqua aerobics, socialising with likeminded neighbours, or simply relaxing and enjoying their beautiful new home and lifestyle.
Opportunities for growth.
One of the best things about getting older is the new opportunities for growth. For many people, our later years can be a time of renewal, as we have the freedom to explore new passions, take up hobbies, or continue learning. Whether it’s traveling to new places, learning a language, taking an online course, or picking up a creative skill like painting, there are countless opportunities for growth to explore. Many people choose to take classes, join local clubs, or simply dedicate time to exploring personal interests they never had time for before!
At Oak Tree, the possibilities for fun and new pursuits are endless. Our residents have access to various activities such as wellbeing-focused classes like gentle movement or Pilates, various information sessions, and mind sharpening activities like arts and crafts and Mahjong. They also have the easy ability to lock up and leave whenever they feel like travelling or exploring!
Stronger relationships.
In our later years, friendships that stand the test of time become richer and more significant as you share decades of life experiences. New connections also tend to flourish quickly due to having more free time for socialising, a deeper understanding and appreciation for meaningful connections, and shared experiences like retirement and grandparenting.
You also tend to become more selective in who you spend time with as you get older, valuing quality over quantity when it comes to friendships and social interactions.
At Oak Tree, our residents no longer have to rely on family to assist with home maintenance, meaning more quality time and stronger connections with loved ones. The boutique, tight knit nature of our villages means meaningful friendships between likeminded neighbours are formed quickly.
Sadly, a number of people lose their life partner in their later years. Living in a retirement village surrounded by people who genuinely care means that you won’t have to go through loss alone. You’ll have people around you to provide support, advice, and friendship at the time you most need it.
There are countless reasons to love getting older. Ageing is a privilege that not everyone gets to experience, so it’s important to embrace it, recognise the amazing benefits that come with it, and be grateful for each day!
This Queensland Seniors Month, let’s celebrate seniors and the integral role they play in our lives and communities. If you live in Queensland, explore the Seniors Month event calendar and start planning your October – there are a wide range of exciting activities to choose from, including exercise classes, high tea, arts and crafts, line dancing, and mystery bus trips!
You can find the calendar here: https://qldseniorsmonth.org.au/…/seniors…/2024-10-01/2/
To learn more about the Oak Tree lifestyle, call 1300 367 155 today.