1. Syd Lissner, 80, lives in north London
When I was a lad, the main difference was that we were much more family-orientated. Even though I grew up through the war, and was evacuated and separated from my brother and sister, society still had this thing called unity, which you don’t have today. Now people only see the gray hair when they look at an older person, not the person inside. I think younger people expect us oldies not to know about sex and drugs, and that doesn’t bother me — but when I was younger, I was a musician and I smoked a few joints.
Older people are written off and neglected, but I don’t really feel any different. I get up at 5.30am every day and do a workout in the garden, then some meditation. I go swimming and do Pilates and the housework. I feel fit, so I have nothing to complain about. I go to the Turkish baths once a week — they call me the Senile Hooligan as a joke. I think doing exercise every day gives you more confidence and you get to meet other active people. They say: “Oh, you old git, still doing it?” and that’s encouraging. I think if other older people got that sort of encouragement they would be happier exercising too.
I joined the merchant navy when I was 15 and I worked all my life. You name it, I’ve done it. I worked until I was 79 at Hatton Garden [London’s jewelry quarter]. At first, it’s a great psychological change to give up work and unless you take a positive attitude you begin to wonder what you’re living for, but I don’t really mind being retired. I go to the library and try to keep mentally healthy. I used to read one book a year, but now I read two a week and the papers from front to back. I’ve been with my wife since the 1960s and I’m lucky — you do need companionship.
I haven’t really noticed that there are more people in their 80s now, but it does worry me if people think we’re going to be a burden on the state. Lots of pensioners are struggling and have to choose between eating or putting the heating on. When I turned 80, the government gave me an extra £0.25 a week on my pension — that’s going to make me the last of the big spenders, isn’t it?
By this age, I think you’re more understanding and tolerant. You have a fixed income with your pension so you live your life around that. I could go on for another 10 years, or another day, so it’s not really worth worrying about anything, is it?
2. Andy Servin, 83, lives in east London
Younger people can be patronizing to old people — they think we haven’t lived, even though over the last 80 years we’ve probably seen a lot more than they ever have or will. I don’t think people give older people the same respect that they used to. When I first came to this country people would say good morning to older people in the street.
I arrived from St Lucia in 1959, and while I know a lot of people experience racism, people were very nice to me. I had been a policeman in St Lucia, but when I came to the UK I worked for London Underground, then the Post Office. Everyone was interested in where I had come from and asked how I was dealing with the cold. Now older people are sometimes frightened to walk down the street, and that makes me sad.
I have noticed there are more older people around now. We are living longer, aren’t we? These days, it’s my health that causes me problems, not my age — I have a hernia but my doctor isn’t sure if my heart would survive an operation. I can’t complain, though. I’m still around. I’m growing old, but not gracefully, I’m sorry to say. I go to a community center twice a week, because it’s important to get out and see friends, be sociable — it keeps your mind young. I come here, play dominoes, have a chat, make some noise. If you’ve got a group of West Indies men together, you will get a lot of noise.
I’m lucky that I’m still with my wife — her health isn’t good either, but at least we’re sinking together. I saw a few of my Post Office friends recently and we were talking about the old days and how not many of us are still around now. As I say, I’m lucky. I’ve been alive a long time. I’ve had a good life and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
3. Helen Granville, 86, lives near Beverley in Yorkshire, northern England
I’ve been on my own for 25 years, since my husband died and I’ve got used to it. I worked in our fish-and-chip shop for 30 years and when I retired, started volunteering at the Cancer Research shop, where I’ve been for 21 years. I used to work there four or five times a week, but I broke my wrist recently so I haven’t been able to drive and had to cut down my hours. Apart from the fact that I enjoy it and like the people, it gets me out of the house. I don’t know why old people stay at home all day and mope.
I would like to have been a teacher but my father died down the mine when I was nine and I had to leave school and make money for the family. Until recently, I taught English to immigrants, though, which I enjoyed.
I wouldn’t like to be starting out in life again in today’s climate — a lady came into the shop the other day in a state because someone had stolen her purse. When I look back on my life, I do wonder what I’ve done with it but I’m happy — I have three children and grandchildren and now great-grandchildren. Apart from my two new hips and a broken wrist, I’m not in too bad shape really. Since my husband died, I’ve taken on a lot of responsibilities — just things that he dealt with around the house and with the car, so I’m learning new things even at an older age. I took up writing when I was 82. I write little ditties. But I wouldn’t call them poetry exactly.
4. Irving Gilbert, 92, lives in a care home in south London
I can’t believe I’m 92 — I put it down to luck and a good set of chromosomes. I smoked for a while when I was a student, but I haven’t for years now. I moved to my nursing home last year. It was sad to leave my house — I had lived in it for 50 years — and especially my garden. When you reach 92, you find that you’ve lost most of your friends and you’re suddenly all alone. You go through an initial period of shock while you establish a new life, but I do like it here. There are always people milling about and there’s no need to be lonely. They do activities and outings and I joined a computer class and have learned to use the internet and e-mail. I’m very proud of that.
These days I am physically restricted — I have to use a wheelchair if I’m going somewhere. I’m also very forgetful, but I think I’m probably allowed to be. I never think about the future. I just live every day and enjoy it. You have more perspective as you get older. You realize that the most important thing is your health, whereas before people might have thought it was money.
I was a consultant physician, an endoscopist and I was there when the UK’s health service started in 1948. It was very exciting — morale was high. When you were 65, you were automatically retired. I carried on as a locum until I was 71 and, by then, the health service was in a sorry state. If I see a doctor who is smiling, I know he’s retired.
I was married for 64 years and I don’t know what the secret is — probably being tolerant of each other. It’s very important to have company. I was lucky enough to meet someone recently who I could talk to. A woman? Of course!
5. Peggy Webb, 84, lives near Peterborough, eastern England
On a good day I feel 22, which was my happiest time as I had just got married — but on a bad day I feel 99. The worst thing about being older is the aches and pains, and the frustration that you can’t do as much as you would like. But I am lucky to be living with my daughter and son-in-law, as I never get lonely. I’m deaf and my dog, Suki, is always by my side and works as my ears, which means I can be as independent as I want to be.
Everybody changes along with their circumstances — some mellow like a fine wine and some become more cantankerous. I have always been treated well by almost everybody - people will always offer me a seat, open a door and treat me nicely and with respect. Would I like to start my life again now? No, thanks. I’m pleased to have lived through the years that I have done and I was lucky to have a large close-knit family. It was also nice to be part of a community with a much slower pace of life.
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