Bill Garriock

Special to The Lake Report

It’s still scary out there with the looming second wave of “The Pandemic,” but at least by the time we have retired we have developed some good sense based on our life experiences to deal with the uncertainties that go with such an event.

We are wiser than those who are much younger and naive and those who feel the need to party and hang around bars and beaches (many of the new COVID-19 cases are with people 20 to 29 years old). Why those locations haven’t been fully shut down to slow down the spread of the virus is a mystery.

We continue to be curious and have time to think about these things, particularly when actions by others who don’t think could put us at risk.

Being older has some distinct advantages. We have “experience” – and lots of it. Research has shown that we are better at coping with stress and uncertainty and have learned that we can only deal with things and issues within our control.

In fact, according to researcher Arthur A. Stone et al. in the science journal “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,” our stress, worry and anger levels are significantly less than for younger people, even though there can be considerable variations for individuals.

Research also shows that as people get older, they enjoy a more positive emotional experience, due in part to a focus on social relationships, according to Laura Carstensen et al. at Stanford University.

From another study, in 2009 Carstensen and another researcher reported that, “Individuals experience more life satisfaction as age increases because, with passing time and shrinking time horizons, they spend more time in activities that contribute to their well-being instead of pursuing goals that are expected to pay off in the future … that is, they focus on things that contribute to their current happiness.”

 Additionally, older people tend to focus on fewer but more rewarding social contacts, which allow them to better control their emotional health (Berg et al 2006).

Isn’t it nice to know that there are academics at universities trying to figure us out? Many of us know most of that already but it is good to know we are working hard to make the best of our lives, particularly during a pandemic. Because of the changes to our routines, we have become more aware of what we like and like to do, and what relationships we really enjoy.

The Pandemic, with its home isolations and restricted social contacts, has given us an opportunity to think more about what is and is not important for our well-being. Yes, we miss our regular check-ups with our doctors, but we are trying to keep our bodies moving through our walks and other outside activities.

And we miss close contact with family and friends; hugs have gone but we understand the importance of keeping in touch, of reaching out to others through calls, online or Zoom.

Some of us are having small get-togethers, properly social distanced, of course, on our patios. And when we are out for our walks, we are amazed that so many others we know are doing the same.

We take time for a chat and to ask, “How are you doing?”and most reply, “Very well.” But when they don’t, we take the time to listen to the concern.

We do the same when, through our masks, we ask the same question to those who are providing essential services at stores, banks and other service outlets. And we are grateful for their commitment. We are probably caring much more than we were when we all seemed to be so busy.

We are far from being through the risks that come from The Pandemic and we need to continue to be vigilant, especially now.

As older folk, we are doing our part. Here's hoping the scientists will be successful in doing their part to develop a vaccine that will be available sooner than later.

In the meantime, we need to be safe and careful, enjoy what we have, keep in regular contact with our dearest friends and our families, and above all, praise ourselves for how well we are coping during The Pandemic!

* Bill Garriock is among the older folks who live in Niagara-on-the-Lake.