Gerontology The interview subject is from Germantown, Pennsylvania, the third of seven children. For the purposes of this report and to preserve her anonymity, we will call her Ms. S. Ms. S's mother did everything she could to keep her family together through difficult financial times. They had to squeeze the entire household into their grandmother's house, and even had to go "junking," sifting through trash to find valuable things people had tossed out. As she reflects, Ms. S bears a lot of joy and pride in her face. She remembers learning how to sew her own prom dress and other worthwhile tools of survival many people neglect to learn now. Although it was a struggle, her family stayed together and because of their love and support for one another, they retained something money cannot buy.

As a black woman, Ms. S was never told that she should prepare herself for college and a lucrative career. The messages she received in school were that it wouldn't matter. Even though she did well in high school, it wasn't until later on that Ms. S got her degree in criminal justice. Looking back, she knows that the school system has failed black students and especially black girls by not providing them with the tools and resources for planning their future.

Self-Perception of Age

Ms. S does not consider herself old, although she is aware of her years. She still works full time, and does not think about retirement. Although she has seen some of her friends die, Ms. S does not feel any sense of impending doom. She has four grown children and grandchildren, who she sees often. She also takes care of her elderly aunt. Caring for her family members takes Ms. S outside of herself, reminding her of how lucky she is to have people who count on her and need her. Because she has so much love and energy to give, Ms. S never feels old. She has no time to dwell on the problems that besiege other people as they age and lose their loved ones, or who are lonely. Ms. is also thinks a lot about the future, as if she were a young woman. She plans on traveling the States with her "wonderful" husband and feels confident that they will have many more years together.

Historical Events

Ms. S found the election of Barack Obama the defining moment of our time. The president symbolizes hope and freedom from oppression. For so long, African-American youth had no role models, no one to show them that they were entitled to earning privileges and powers. Barack Obama represents the fulfillment of the dreams of countless black people. His election was a moment of collective victory. Ms. S said she felt a "sense of accomplishment" because there was the sense that "we" have arrived, and that dreams can be achieved. She hopes the younger generation takes the lesson to heart, and learns that hard work will pay off instead of giving up on themselves and channeling all their energy into resentment and anger. Ms. S understands the system has failed in the past, but the future is bright.

On Change

One of the biggest changes in the way people live now vs. The ways they lived in the past was the amount of time people spend with their digital devices vs. The time they spend with their families. Ms. S points out that in the past, people spent all their free time with family. Now, people are too busy but when they do have free time, they are using Facebook. She feels "rushed" in conversations online and especially in texting. Although she does not mind receiving text messages from her grandchildren, Ms. S would appreciate an occasional phone call because there is no substitute for hearing someone's voice.

Best Years Past and Hopes for the Future

Without a doubt, the best years of her life have been with her husband of 19 years, EW. EW is her rock, her "foundation." She looks forward to traveling just the two of them, spending time together, and enjoying his company. Of course, she looks forward to seeing how her grandchildren will grow up and what they will do. EW has raised her four children even though they were not his own. Ms. S calls EW her "blessing" because he was able to unconditionally love her family, which must have been difficult for him when they first met.

Young People Today

Young people today are impolite and lack manners, especially when compared with older generations....

Parents do not seem to be disciplining their children as much, or as effectively. Ms. S remembers seeing a boy in a store who was cursing. His mother was nowhere to be seen, and he was only seven years old. She knows that even if his mother were there, it would not have been appropriate to say something because it would have been received as an insult. Bad parenting has caused a generation of children who grow up with poorer social skills than they had in the past.
Another major change has been technology. Children used to play outside, and use their imaginations in game play. Now, children stay inside, use their phones or play video games. The games do all the work and there is no imagination involved, and the children get less exercise.

Preparing for Old Age

The advice Ms. S has for aging gracefully is keeping an open mind and staying positive. These two tips will help a person's mind stay healthy and happy. She says that it is never too late to start a new project or to pursue a new path in life. It is important to dream big, and never give up because dreams can come true no matter what age a person may be.

In addition to developing a positive mind set, Ms. is also feels that eating right and making healthy lifestyle choices are important. Eating right is the "best thing you can do," because diet affects so many other aspects of a person's health and well-being. A healthy diet leads to feeling good, avoiding illnesses, and a clear mind. Ms. S believes in preventing problems before they arise, which means eating well and also avoiding behaviors like drinking and smoking. Drinking in moderation is fine, but generally avoiding drugs and alcohol can promote health.

Age-Related Discrimination

Ms. S works full time for the county. She has held this position for twenty years, has trained many others, but she has been repeatedly passed over for promotions. However, she has seen younger people advance through the system. Although part of the problem might be that she has not been assertive enough to raise the issue, she believes that her work should have been recognized and that she should not be placed in the position to have to ask. Her extensive background and experience should speak for themselves. She has her degree, and people continually look to her for guidance and support in the office. At the same time, people occasionally ask her when she is going to retire. They will ask in jest, but Ms. S wonders if their intentions are good or if they are being insulting. In spite of what could be an atmosphere of discrimination, Ms. S carries herself proud. She has a positive attitude at work.

Attitudes Toward Healthcare

Ms. S feels healthy most of the time. Although she believes in prevention, and seeing the doctor at the first sign of a problem, she also does not like the whole experience of the medical system. She says she usually feels rushed through her appointments in spite of their making her wait, and she also notes that neither doctors nor nurses seem willing to listen carefully to what she has to say. On several occasions, Ms. S has felt that doctors and nurses are not taking her issues or concerns seriously. It seems as if nurses and doctors do not like it when she offers her own opinion as to what might be wrong, or suggests that her medication might not be appropriate for her needs. Her suggestions to future nurses and healthcare providers include increasing comfort levels, improving communication, and promoting respect. Instead of treating patients like a set of numbers and figures, or as a dollar sign, healthcare providers need to get back to the basics and focus on the person.

Learning Reflection

What surprised me the most from the interview was Ms. S's positive attitude and unwavering sense of optimism and hope for the future. She is a truly admirable woman with the potential to make a difference in the lives of others as a role model. Her grandchildren are lucky to have a woman like her in their midst, and so are her colleagues. I was not surprised to learn about the age-related discrimination in the workplace. Like Ms. S, I agree that she should not be placed in the awkward position of having to beg for a promotion when they should be offering it to her automatically. Her strong sense of pride prevents her from getting…