Growing Old Is A Blessing | Maria Alejandro | TEDxNewYork

1.5 million people in New York City are over the age of 60-but we don’t do enough to cater to them, says seniors advocate Maria Alejandro. In this uplifting talk, she inspires us to accept aging as a natural and exciting part of life, and encourages us to find new ways to accommodate the elderly.
Maria Alejandro believes that aging is beautiful, we just have to find ways to live healthily into old age. She’s the director of senior services at East Harlem’s Union Settlement.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@OhioTreasures]

At 23, I unofficially adopted my neighbor lady who was in her 70's we did all kinds of stuff museums zoos restaurants ect. .. as she grew older and needed more help I stepped in. I love her! Now she 88 almost 89 is on hospice at home and I am her caregiver. I won't let her go to a home. Age is literally just a number. We have been the best of friends and she is apart of my little family.

[@nenitaavenido3050]

Ok Hey

[@Mike-01234]

That's nice of you most ignore elderly people who end up alone. Nursing homes are not good places many neglect elderly people who live there.

[@deehen9844]

That is very good. God will bless you. I was the only one out of generations of grandchildren and my grandmother's daughters that would come to take care of her. She was 115 years old and in good health. She was in her right mind. She was not on medications. She passed away in 2017. I had to give up everything that I to move from another state to take care of her. God was my help. And we had lots of fun. I know my grandfather already knew before he passed away that I would be the one to come and care for her. He saw it from my birth. He would tell me what that day was like. And he would never forget it. My grandparents had 16 children and over 500 grandchildren. That's not the counting each generation. We stop counting there. It's thousands of people that came out of these two people. But, I am so glad that God choose me to take care of her...The way you respect and treat your parents and elderly people is how you receive the blessing of the Lord. That is still for all people. But God gave this commandment with a promise. READ your BIBLE... Have a good one.

[@michaelbelt8768]

Age is not valued in America, so it has to be learned. We're masters of knowing how to die younger but aging is an art. Growing old is better than dying. The hard part is realizing we're growing old. The first and best example was when Prime Minister of the UK in WWI was reminded by the gardener that the trees he wanted planted when he was 80, his reply was; 'Well then, we don't have a moment to waste!'. The trees are still there...

[@RobelGirma-lw9ee]

Old ladies blessing is good for changing life.

[@MsMusixx]

I am turning 64 in September this year and I thoroughly enjoyed this Ted Talk! We need more like this! Bless you dear!♥️

[@lifemusic1980]

She is absolutely beautiful

[@hygelinebrazil2219]

She is!

[@superfreakmusic7681]

Just saying something is good doesnt make it so. This is not Orwells 1984, this is reality

[@idicula1979]

The joy of youth that leaves it stain and memories of bittersweet of things done and left undone. Fades in time as do I, of but an Imprint left in sunny pasture. Adolescents but a time when rocks crush agains the shore, they too have gone. But memories left of those paths left uncovered and the winding roads it leads. Memories left of happier times to, be in death let mine heaven let them speak and be. God bless may we all expierience our personal heaven and learn of God and not of our pride.

[@jackiehanley6274]

I think ageing is just you need to adjust to your climate the older you are further you go in life. ❤❤❤life a blessing

[@lisaziomek3371]

There are many home health/ elderly services that provide companionship, ADL care, driving to appointments and out to eat and social events.....I work in this industry and it is very rewarding.

[@zuzanacaslavka6381]

PP0000000]PP]0⁰0⁰0⁰]0⁰000⁰⁰0

[@zuzanacaslavka6381]

QQQ

[@dezerismith7529]

She’s so beautiful inside and out.

[@magicsunlight1971]

she is beautiful, so much life in her.

[@RaJnfieert]

Gone Stale I love bread. The subtle sweet taste and the softness of the texture. A perfect pastry. I lay it on a gold platter. Beautiful, it presents itself. And on that table the bread sits and there I am admiring it. Heavenly alike. I sit here. Nibling away at a slice of it. Like snow it melts within my mouth. But warm like heaven the taste of sweetness. And when the sun sets into the horizon. Gold streaks of light casted along my table. I begin drifting off. Sitting on my table on my chair with bread in my hand. I slowly fall asleep. And when birds start chirping. Sounds eco in the frosty morning air. The first beams of light hit my eyes. I feel excitement build up in my mind. The smell of bread and its light sweetness. My hand slowly creep closer to the plate. I couldn’t wait as I took a bite. But it was disbelief that filled my face. Once sweet soft bread turned dry and stale. I could believe it. I took a bite again. And again. And again. But the taste wasn’t the same. This happens to all types of bread. Yet I’m still in denial. I had so much of it before. So sweet and fresh. But it’s all gone bad. I sit there. Reminiscing of the old taste. I cattle the platter in my arms. Eating each slice with larger and larger bites. But no matter how much I ate. No matter how much I tried. That… That sweet soft taste. It’s gone.

[@susandaluz7095]

Wonderful, so true....thank you Maria...I want to be one of your senior citizen friends too, take care

[@scottyh8494]

Growing old is a blessing it has a lot of benefits really more than what I had ever thought of. You learn to not care what people think of you. Wear what you want. Talk how you want, It's good to grow old but remain wise. That is the key..

[@thadiyoor1]

*Age is only a number.The seniors can utilise their old age by sharing whatever knowledge, experience, maturity and even wealth to their near and dear ones surrounding their vicinity in the form of councilling and a moral supporter to them. It can be made more happier by utilising their free time for the benifit of others. So enjoy yourself senior citizens.*

[@ashiqameer353]

Vvv

[@revivingmind879]

Growing old is definitely a blessing. Thank you for sharing your experiences Maria, as well as the different pressing issues concerning people our age. We believe your abuela is right that it's important to eat healthy, have enough rest and sleep well because these are where we get our energy from. Depression, anxiety and loneliness are experienced by a lot of older adults and it could be relieved, even by a bit, by sharing a meal with others which is why we applaud you and your programs. It reminds us of Reviving Mind's programs that help people our age with physical and mental health concerns.

[@Bill0102]

This is beyond words. I found content with a similar message, and it was absolutely mind-blowing. "Adapting with Aging" by James Crescent

[@heythereitsmeryan8753]

💜💜💜

[@superfreakmusic7681]

Riiiiight....so all those debilitating symptoms of the menopause are a 'blessing' are they? Ill just tell that to the next suicidal menopausal woman I meet. Im sure she'll thank me for such an insightful, thoughtful and helpful remark.

[@eyesthatsmile-heartthatlov8050]

Why so somber? I would advise the next suicidal menopausal woman you meet not to talk to you until after you have addressed your issues. Lighten up sister. Learn the language of optimism, life and hope. God bless.

[@Dixie2945]

Why isn’t old a slur word?

[@deehen9844]

Eyes that smile: Menopause is not a death sentence. And remember that some women go through Menopause in their young age. I did after four children..In my thirties. Some women go experience full Menopause at any age for such reason as hysterectomy; for many reasons for that cause. I knew a young lady who had one child. She got into a fight with another young lady. She was kicked in the stomach. And at a young teen had to undergo a hysterectomy. Never did have anymore children. And experienced all of the symptoms of Menopause. She use to sweat like someone poured a bucket of water over her. Do not find negative things that the seniors experience but, find those things to be what all can suffer at any age. There are men both young and old that are experiencing Menopause. I once read an article that said women are start around 25-30 having Menopause symptoms. Things does not just happen overnight. The accure over a lifetime. Menopause starts the day you were born. It's part of the cycle of life for all humans.. Love ya❤

[@Dixie2945]

This is just a theory don’t take it too seriously but I think the age of menopause might have something to do with when your mother, grandmother, great grandmother had children, having kids at 12-20 something aka earlier in life are more likely to experience menopause at earlier ages than people who had ancestors who continued having children up until 40 something, also lifestyle choices and genetic factors are also at play here

[@romeysiamese6662]

I don’t feel blessed. In my 60s if LL raises rent as much as I expect, I will be homeless. Selfishness and greed prevail in 2023. The times she speaks of have changed. Elderly aren’t valued.

[@deehen9844]

You need to see Jesus and trust him for your life and future. Only people who do not know the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost does not find that growing older is a blessing. But to not think so is abomination to God. Because, it is written in the God. So, search the scriptures to find out if you have eternal life abiding in you.

[@superfreakmusic7681]

Ageing: Not exciting, not liberating, not a blessing. I do however agree that we need ways to mitigate its awful, destructive debilitating effects so that we can get older without it having to be a nightmare. But to say that a destructive, debilitating disease is a blessing just makes no sense.

[@eyesthatsmile-heartthatlov8050]

Who said that?

[@MRUNALVIBE]

Hi MLZS walo kar liya homework tumne

[@RS-ov2st]

Hog wash……no one is okay with getting old, no one….truth….no matter how you slice it, it’s not a comforting thought. Not everyone’s circumstances are good. Some may have support, but many, many do not.

[@seagirl1100]

Your right aging sucks. When you old and unhealthy and tried everything to make things better. Become wealthy and make sure you prepare for long life. No one is taught to prepare for 20-40 years of not working. No one takes care of family. (Took care of my mom till she was 90) we are THE INVISIBLE GEN

[@dianaasadorian38]

Dostoyevsky said that Life only then makes sense when it continues eternally. And I say that old age ONLY then makes sense when when there's heaven. If not, everything is meaningless. And no TEDX talk can help.

[@randyjohnson5426]

I guess if you look at the alternative which is dying then growing old is better...HOWEVER growing older isnt fun and I hate looking in the mirror everyday and seeing my youth slip further and further away.....one day I will look like a totally different person unless I can afford cosmetic surgery. Can someone please figure out a way to turn back the biological clock...I saw a study where scientist were able to do this very thing with mice by increasing the telomere length...unfortunately while making them younger ( hair actually lost the gray, increased muscle mass) it let cancer run rampant...come on scientist...get this right so I can turn back time.

[@chokoretto6364]

Hey if it helps, try looking into Alan Watts.

[@ayeshakadwa7317]

You can choose to accept and enjoy what you have NOW or mourn what you've lost.

[@superfreakmusic7681]

I have hated every single wretched moment of ageing. Biggest curse I have ever experienced. I cant swallow this sort of gaslighting like Im in Orwells 1984 with people trying to tell me that bad things are good. Im so thankful for anti ageing procedures!

[@normadesmond6017]

no it' not. maybe for a buddhist monk, but not for us plain folks. you loose your looks. you loose the people who have had around your your entire life. you loose your health in one way or another. you realize that death is near. people start treating your differently. get real here! I'll take youth anytime.

[@russelljackson171]

You can be young only once but, you can be youthful at any age. It's a state of mind

[@superfreakmusic7681]

@@russelljackson171 Yeah, except for everyone with Alzheimers, Parkinsons, bad mobility and other age related health issues. Ageing sucks, why arent we ever just allowed to say it?

[@shamalama29]

@@superfreakmusic7681 I get what you are saying Super, we just have to do our best with the knowledge we have to live our best life.

[@krisl2838]

Ummmm... as far as wisdom goes. yes. But no... it's not a blessing. It was a death sentence put on us in the Garden of eden.

[@shamalama29]

Yep, physical death will come but spiritual death doesn't have too.

[@AllIsWellaus]

It speaks of privilege and felt self congratulatory. Frustrating.

[@user-zo7yu7yt9f]

no it' not. maybe for a buddhist monk, but not for us plain folks. you loose your looks. you loose the people who have had around your your entire life. you loose your health in one way or another. you realize that death is near. people start treating your differently. get real here! I'll take youth anytime.