Gran inundated with advice after asking how to be happy in older age

A terrified grandmother has taken to an internet forum to express her fears in growing older.

The 71-year-old shared a post on forum Gransnet and simply said she was fearful of ageing and asked others how they came to terms with growing older while remaining optimistic about no longer being young.

The lady, known only by her screen name of Mancunianma, explained that she’d been widowed since 1990, although she still has four children and six grandsons. She said she lives alone and her illness sometimes makes her feel vulnerable and afraid.

Thankfully for her, as we often see in our own Starts at 60 community, there were plenty of other people on hand to explain that getting old doesn’t necessarily mean getting sick and spending your entire days knitting. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with knitting, there are plenty of things people of all ages can do that don’t involve the typical stereotypes over-60s are usually associated with.

One person used their own 98-year-old mother as a prime example.

“She sits and watches TV all day, goes to the hairdresser’s every second Thursday, and waits for people to visit her,” the user said. “So I would say that coping with ageing is mainly a case of being happy with your own company and being able to amuse yourself with little. Lower your expectations but never stop making plans.”

Another said the key to be happy is to simply forget about age.

Read more: ‘I never see my grandchildren’: Concerned grandmother sparks debate

“I do not give ageing a thought – as far as I am concerned my brain tells me I am 29 although my body disagrees, I let them continue with that disagreement,” the wrote. “I am 74 but no longer mobile. I love my computer so spend a lot of time on that. Does it matter? No, because I am happy. Try to have something to do each day – even if it is only cutting the grass or whatever.”

Another lady said a little bit of pampering in older age can go a long way in making someone feel better about themselves.

“Book an appointment to have a new hair style, paint your toe nails in 5 different colours, plan to cook some of your favourite meals, put clean sheets on the bed, take yourself out for tea and cakes, buy some new clothes,” she suggested. “In other words, make a list of things you could treat yourself to and then go and DO IT.”

The advice didn’t stop there. One person told the lady not too think too far into the future, while another said making a bucket list was a great idea. A further comment recommended the lady eat sensibly, keep fit and remain interested in everything.

What do you think? What’s the best part about getting older? What advice would you give to someone struggling to come to terms with getting older?