Every year, as a senior citizen having a wellness check, you’re asked, “Do you feel safe at home?” I guess I never thought about it until I was asked. Up until then I felt pretty safe no matter where I was. Now, after being asked over and over again, I’m beginning to wonder. I’ve taken to being more cautious walking through a house full of roadblocks. I try to avoid falling by staying away from anything that would cause that – like stairs, slippery sidewalks, not eating expired food and things like that. I’ve also taken to watching out the window of my house at what I used to think as a safe neighborhood and wonder if I’m living in the middle of a drug cartel – a house of ill repute or one slowly becoming a refuge for homeless folks.

What happened to those days when we didn’t think about locking our doors? Why do we have to worry about being swindled online or through some scam phone call? Does getting old mean you naturally start worrying about things like that – or are we being brainwashed into thinking that aging is the first step into a nursing home or a mental institution? Aging used to be an accomplishment. The elderly used to hold a place of respect and honor. We were supposed to become sage adults with great wisdom. Now, if you can remember four words that were spoken to you at the beginning of your medical exam, you’re suddenly a genius. If not, look out. You’re on the road to memory loss. As far as feeling safe, most of the time, we seem to be invisible, so we shouldn’t fear anything.

This journey through life should not depend on our feeling safe, or needing hearing aids, new hips, knees or teeth. It should be a time of rest and retirement, but that I don’t think it usually works out that way. Instead we are constantly talking about medical issues, what pills we take or how many bowel movements we have. Like I said earlier this week, aging is overrated.

“I’m at an age when my back goes out more than I do.” Phyllis Diller