Guest Post: Ageing Under the Spotlight in the UK

"Because I think that as you do get older, if you don’t have a manageable challenge … you’re not developing yourself anymore, and I think that’s one of the things that the theatre does, not just for the young people but for us.  It’s still developing us, and that’s what’s so great.’" 

- Audio describer and Audience member

By: Michelle Rickett
Research Associate for the 'Ages and Stages' Project

What contribution do - and could - older people make to theatre? How are ageing and later life represented on stage? Can theatre and drama be used to promote understanding, communication and creativity between different generations? These are some of the questions asked by the Ages and Stages project, based in North Staffordshire in the UK, and funded by the New Dynamics of Ageing (NDA) programme.

The project is a partnership between Keele University and the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The location for our research is the Potteries, North Staffordshire: an area with a long history of heavy industry (ceramics, coal and steel) that, over the past fifty years, has undergone considerable social and economic change and decline. Local cultural institutions have both reflected and reconstructed these changes. In particular, the New Vic Theatre (formerly the Victoria Theatre) pioneered a distinctive form of ‘social documentary theatre’ under artistic director Peter Cheeseman. The documentaries, produced between 1964 and 1994, charted social, economic and political change in the Potteries, and drew from the testimony of local people. Part of our research involved exploring historical representations of older people and ageing within these documentaries, using materials in the Victoria Theatre Archive. Then, turning our attention to contemporary representations and recollections, we interviewed 95 older people who are/have been associated with the theatre as: actors/employees; volunteers; long standing audience members; sources for the original documentaries. Finally, we drew our research data together to create a new documentary performance, titled Our Age, Our Stage, which explores ageing, intergenerational relations and the role the theatre has played – and continues to play – in the creative life of the people of North Staffordshire. This was acted by an intergenerational group, including members of the New Vic Youth Theatre and older people who had been interviewed for our research. Our Age, Our Stage was toured around local venues, including schools, a retirement village and local council, and finally performed at the New Vic Theatre to a capacity audience of 500 people in July 2012.

The Power of Pets

Call me crazy, but I talk to my animals. Sure, they probably don’t understand me, just as most of the time I don’t understand them. Still I find it comforting knowing that they are there to “listen.” In my opinion, they almost keep you sane. My dog will look up, cock his head and look at me as if to say, “No. Really? Tell me more.” My cat will sidle up to me if it seems I’ve had a bad day, just to let me know that “someone” is there.

We don’t give animals enough credit where credit is due. They are wonderful keepers of company. Although they do occasionally default to their rebellious nature, they are always willing to be by your side at the end of the day, and it’s comforting to know that.

Why is this so important?

Well, according to Barbara Worthington, associate editor of Aging Well, relationships with animals develop into bonds that strengthen significantly over time. Many older adults enjoy the memories of a pet they once had, and animal-assisted therapy can offer a connection that allows aging adults to remember, vocalize their recollections and smile.

However, not only does having an animal around help to increase your social behavior, but “elders’ interactions with animals can improve their self-esteem, help them cope with their losses, and boost their sense of self-worth,” says Marjorie Shoemaker, coordinator of Caring Paws.

Small or large, having an animal can actually change the environment of your home. It gives you something to look after, to interact with and to socialize with. Depending on the kind of care your animal of choice needs, it still gives you an overall positive spin on your health. Woof!

Yoga your mind, body and soul

Breathe in deep. Hold it. Exhale slowly. Repeat. Deep breath, hold it and let it out slowly. How do you feel? If your body suddenly seems a little more at ease, then you have just introduced yourself to a trivial part of a calming exercise: yoga.

As we age, our bodies don’t necessarily recover as easily from our day-to-day activities as they used to. Sometimes, without realizing it, we become susceptible to symptoms of aging that we had either hoped to avoid or didn’t see coming. We may slow down, become a little less mobile, and as a result, our bodies suffer more than we think they do.

“As you get older you become more susceptible to the ailments that you get with aging,” says Kelly O’Connell. “And most of the aches and pains that older adults feel are from stiff muscles or week muscles, and yoga addresses both of those.” Not only is it a weight-bearing exercise, O’Connell, from Yoga One, says that this kind of activity helps to increase your ability to balance, which is a commonality in aging.

According to Mary Larsen, “Yoga has been shown to help alleviate or reduce many health challenges, making it an increasingly popular exercise choice for the older adult population.”

There have been many health concerns that have been linked to the sedentary lifestyle. These can include:

•     Reduced joint flexibility

•     Arthritis/bursitis

•     High blood pressure

•     Increased body fat and decreased lean body tissue

•     Osteoporosis

•     Low back pain

•     Breathing difficulties

•     Poor blood circulation

•     Vision problems

•     Chronic pain

•     Stress-related symptoms

•     Inability to sleep peacefully

If you are wary about getting started, and seem intimidated by the different poses that yoga contains, you need not worry. Many facilities offer yoga for beginners and practice the importance of your pattern of breathing. Instructors walk you through many simple steps that can help you improve not only your balance, but also your overall health.

Now, one more time:Breathe in deep. Hold it. Exhale slowly. Repeat. Deep breath, hold it and let it out slowly. How do you feel?

Yoga exercises for seniors

Four Health Signs that could Change Your Life

Photo provided by LifeHealth

Many of us are concerned about our health. Whether or not our heart beat maintains a proper rhythm, if our airflow is normal or are we short of breath, is my cough really something more than just the common cold? We have these few signs or symptoms that encourage us to call the doctor in order to have them checked out, maybe get a diagnosis.

Now, according to The Toronto Star, there are four new signs that can help aging adults determine whether or not they are at risk for contracting heart disease or even having a heart attack. These four symptoms include: Earlobe creases, hairline receding at the temples, baldness at the crown of the head and yellow fat deposits around the eyelids.

These findings, presented at the American Heart Association meeting, showed "that patches of fatty bumps around the eyes were the strongest single predictor of cardiovascular illness among the four traits."

At the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, researchers discovered that "people with at least three of these characteristics had a 57 per cent greater risk for a heart attack and a 39 per cent higher chance of heart disease," said The Star.

These recent discoveries are not only stipulated as signs of aging, but that it is aging in an unhealthy manner. Although there are more studies that are expected to delve into the matter, one of the more commonly known risk factors that could cause a heart disease or attack is high cholesterol.

Regardless of our health symptoms, what's important is taking care of them. If you are feeling weary or concerned about something, there is no harm in asking to have it looked at. It's important to ensure that your body is "fully tuned" and in working order.