One of the women that I spoke with at the senior center told me that she had recently been diagnosed with type II diabetes and that there was no way that she would give herself insulin injections if the doctor ever told her she would have to. She also mentioned hypertension and arthritis along with chronic back pain. I would like to think that there are some options out there for this woman to help her gain control of her own health and become a happier and healthier individual. She did not sound very happy about her situation, yet she was not willing to make an effort to change it. I did not really know what to think. Should I have felt sorry for her or tried to persuade her to alter her way of thinking? I really do not know. Although this woman presented well with no obvious signs of distress other than her facial expressions, tone of voice, and attitude, I think it is safe to say that she is far from healthy at this time in her life. This woman would surely benefit from some counseling and education about choices that affect the quality of life for people in her situation.
What I have to take away from this experience at the senior center is that people definitely reflect their life choices and previous way of living as older adults. Those persons that have not taken adequate care of their bodies and minds throughout their lifetime will more than likely have decreased levels of physical health, altered mobility, and negative outlook on life. Those persons that have maintained their health during the lifespan can continue to enjoy pleasurable experiences and meaningful relationships into old age. The latter is definitely the type of person that I want to be. I enjoyed this experience although I would have liked a little more interaction with the seniors during the visit.