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.

[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.

[michaelbelt]

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...

[MsMusixx]

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

[RobelGirma-lwee]

Old ladies blessing is good for changing life.

[magicsunlight]

she is beautiful, so much life in her.

[lisaziomek]

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

[susandaluz]

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

[idicula]

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.

[superfreakmusic]

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

[jackiehanley]

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

[revivingmind]

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.

[scottyh]

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..

[billgates-jbjl]

LETS TAKE A REALITY CHECK! Growing old is only a blessing if you Rich! It you have a loving family surrounding you and strong supporting community! God help you if you are poor and alone! Other words you are living in a dream world. In our society it can be cold blooded and cruel to old people!

[thadiyoor]

*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.*

[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.

[Bill]

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

[superfreakmusic]

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.

[romeysiamese]

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.

[superfreakmusic]

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.

[RS-ovst]

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.