It’s generally accepted that aging can be a real bummer. But should we even be approaching it as a ‘thing’? All around us, we can find examples of elders who’ve ditched the expected stereotype and the idea that as your number increases, your competency decreases. So, move over Bingo nights and Bowles, there’s a new generation of seniors on the way who are ready to embrace life with more enthusiasm than a free buffet at the retirement village! Yes, retirement can be a time to switch off the alarm clock and relax. For some, that relaxation turns into a permanent couch-potato position. Not these rebels!
Have you heard of style icon Iris Apfel? Apfel and her husband Carl owned and ran a company, which enabled her to acquire exquisite jewellery and fabrics from the Middle East. Apfel had a knack for pairing this foreign jewellery with extravagant clothing and coats. Her trademark look was to combine high and low-end pieces, piling both arms with large bangles, layering necklaces and topping it off with huge glasses. She was hard to miss. And as she aged, she didn’t slow down this exuberant creativity. At 93, she starred in her own documentary “Iris”, at 96, she published a book, Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon. At 97, she signed a modelling contract with global agency IMG Models. And, Apfel is also the oldest person whose image Mattel has used to produce a Barbie! Apfel has since died at her home in Florida, at the grand age of 102.
Known as “Grandma Joy”, it took Joy Ryan nine decades to get around to applying for her first passport. However, once secured, it didn’t take her long to catch the travel bug. With 100,000 followers on social media, last year Joy broke the record for the oldest visitor to all 63 United States national parks. Blogging on the Instagram handle @grandmajoysroadtrip, Grandma Joy took up the mission with her grandson, Brad. Encouraged by completing the task, the dynamic duo have now embarked on an even bigger mission, as she turns 94. They plan to travel to all seven continents. Joy and Brad also want to document their national parks adventure by penning a memoir, which Joy hopes will inspire other families to pursue trips together, and cross generational divides.
You don’t need to look to distant shores to discover a supply of seniors pushing out the boat with a lifetime of experience under their belts. Silver foxes across the planet have seen fads come and go, technology evolve from dial-up to Dogecoin, and can probably fix most things with a roll of duct tape and a lifetime supply of WD-40. They use their wisdom to mentor younger generations, write memoirs that would put Stephen King to shame, and start their own businesses (you know, after their afternoon nap).
