Oct 02, 2024

A Quiet Life: Aged Care Resident Shares the Secrets of a Fulfilled Life

A Quiet Life: Aged Care Resident Shares the Secrets of a Fulfilled Life

At 84, the world looks smaller. Life is quieter, and the noise that once filled the days—ambition, expectation, even fear—has faded. I sit here with few possessions. A chair, a bed, a handful of books, and the memories.

There was a time when I thought I needed more. A bigger house, more money, more success. Now, I see those things for what they were—temporary distractions.

Should I have done things differently? That’s the question, isn’t it? I think about it often. Not with regret, but with the kind of clarity that comes when you’ve lived through the storms and come out the other side.

I think of the people I loved, and the ones I let go of too soon. There are a few faces that haunt me still. I wonder what my life would’ve been like if I’d stayed close to them, or if I’d been braver in telling them how much they meant.

I spent too much time chasing things that don’t matter now. Money slips through your fingers, and success fades faster than you expect. But time, once it’s gone, never comes back. Perhaps I should have spent more of it with the ones who loved me, should’ve lingered longer in the moments that mattered.

But there’s no sense in wishing for the past to change. I am here, with what I have, and maybe that’s enough. Life is what it is, and I can’t say it’s been unkind to me.

If I have any regret, it’s that I didn’t realise sooner what truly mattered. But then again, who ever does? You live, you learn, and eventually, you let it all go. That’s the way of it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Elderly people don’t need to suffer depression or anxiety in silence after moving into aged care

Aged care residents across Central and Eastern Sydney PHN are improving their independence and quality of life through a free program offering personal mental health support for people experiencing the early signs of anxiety and/or depression. Bolton Clarke delivers the NewAccess early intervention mental health coaching program in residential aged care facilities within Central and... Read More

A Rainbow Pathway

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re going. Acceptance and a welcoming attitude is a valued asset. How did Alma become such a gem? “I found out my niece was a lesbian, and my sister never told me. I wanted to know why. I asked her, and she said ‘I thought you wouldn’t... Read More

Understanding Advance Care Planning

Australia’s population is ageing. Well-coordinated and appropriate health care is a key priority. It’s becoming increasingly important for the health care sector to better understand advance care planning, which supports person-centred care, aligned with an individual’s values, goals and preferences. Advance Care Planning Australia is partnering with recognised advance care planning leaders across Australia to... Read More
Advertisement