This is Learning How To Be Old, a guide to the pleasures and possibilities of your future old age. I'm Rachel McAlpine and I'm in my 80s. I used to be aware of ...
Trailer. I’m still learning how to be old—more podcast episodes are coming soon!
There's no end to learning how to be old. More podcast episodes are coming soon. Very soon. In this trailer I'll tantalise you with a brief descriptions of my fabulous guests, all with precious, surprising, original insights into — guess what? Learning how to be old, of course. Even when you're very far from old.
I'm Rachel McAlpine, 85, and my guests are all somewhere between 45 and 91. There's a Tae Quon Do master/theoretical mathematician, a mindfulness coach, a celebrity-celebrant, a stage fight director, two actors, a teacher and a GP. What they talk about will entertain you and may surprise you. They'll certainly give you some hints about managing various problems around transitioning from adulthood to old age.
You'll also get some delightful insights from the man, woman, and child "in the street." Random pedestrians who very kindly answered my unsolicited questions.
Listen if you might be old one day. And listen if you're pretty sure you'll never be old, because you don't want to be. Come on. It'll be fun.
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20. The face of old age
Welcome back to my podcast, Learning How to Be Old, and brace yourself for a hard look at the face of old age. When I was only 74 and I still had a bad case of ageism, I didn't like the look of old people. Now I look in the mirror and I see an old woman's face — and strange to say, I don't particularly care.
Dr Susanna Kent and I recorded this episode on my 85th birthday and we had a lot of fun, which I'm keen to share with you.
I demanded that Susanna explain why I've got dead-gorse-bush hair, non-existent eyebrows, and so many scars and wrinkles. I questioned random pedestrians: as you'll hear, most said they don't look at the face of a new acquaintance but into their eyes — or in one case, at their clothes! They look to see whether a person is approachable. They look for the essence, the spirit of a person. Which has nothing to do with wrinkles. And this episode ends with two poems I've written about makeup. One, "Making Faces", I wrote in my 30s. The second, "Beauty Tips For Older Ladies", I wrote in my 70s.
How attitudes change as time passes! And how differently various people see the face of old age.
Manuka Health Care Centre
Aging Beauty — instant poem, WriteIntoLife.com
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19. Christmas story for non-Christians
Thanks to a tip from Peter's Pondering, this Christmas podcast episode about the Christmas story (and babies) is finally live. At last the page makes sense! The almost fatal flaw was due to that old friend, Human Error.
After living for 5 or more decades, your attitudes and beliefs are bound to change. So what does the Christmas story mean to you — and has it changed? My take on the Christmas story is selective and subjective, but it might suit you. Welcome to a very short bonus episode that's only partly about learning how to be old. It's just me, no guest, and a new poem.
Would you like to perform a random act of kindness this Christmas? Would you share a link to this podcast with a friend? That would be a wonderful gift to me. Independent podcasts like mine run on zero dollars with zero practical assistance, apart a bit of advice from family. I have no researchers, editors, publicists, strategists, artists, sound technicians, marketers, IT teams or even a single intern to give me a hand. My reward, so far, is just you, your ears, your interest, your stars and reviews. For which I thank you very, very sincerely.
Here's a link to my podcast episodes on Apple:
apple.co/3XHLXDw
Merry Christmas! Have a glorious holiday, and if you are among the millions who celebrate Christmas, do it your way.
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18. A centenarian’s practical advice
I'm Rachel McAlpine, I'm 84 and I'm learning how to be old from a centenarian. Whether you are almost old, already old, or never-gonna-be-old, meet my role model for positive ageing. The Sturdy Centenarian is Doris Carnevali, a retired professor of nursing, and she was born in 1923. I'll read three key chapters from my book based on her blog.
A realistic, practical approach to the everyday challenges of very old age
A systematic way to tackle them
And the surprising blessings that come when you look old age in the face.
Usually when very old people are asked for tips on aging, they give some general advice, like "stay young at heart" or "marry a good wife." But this centenarian's advice goes further. Yes, she shares her wisdom, and she is indeed wise. But she also also offers very practical help for the challenges that crop up every day when you become very old.
Rich advice from 100 centenarians (The Guardian, 23 February 2023)
New edition of The Sturdy Centenarian coming in 2025
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17. Defending our autonomy at any age
Defending our autonomy is a serious business at any age. In this bonus episode, the Sturdy Centenarian rages against "thoughtless condescension." I'm Rachel McAlpine, only 84, and finally learning how to be old. Better late than never! As young people, even as children, we feel very strongly that we want to be boss of ourselves. That's ageism, and it hurts. Doris Carnevali has figured out how to deal with it.
One of my most important mentors for the uncharted territory of aging is retired professor Doris Carnevali. At 95 she noticed that younger people felt free to breach her boundaries, disregarding her opinions and being downright rude. This was shocking, and apparently due only to her advanced age.
The problem was obvious — but what to do, how to protect her precious autonomy? She decided to bring the topic into the light. She began talking to her family openly and truthfully about how old age affected her. She set some rules, too.
I always find guidance from this wise woman, even though I'm about 12 younger. And I get tips from her experience of defending autonomy that would have been useful to me 40 years ago.
What is autonomy and why is it so difficult to achieve?
Medical ethics: autonomy
My cat suffers from ageism too
To buy this book, just email me.
This is Learning How To Be Old, a guide to the pleasures and possibilities of your future old age. I'm Rachel McAlpine and I'm in my 80s. I used to be aware of old people but I never dreamed I might become one myself. They were like an alien species. Well, here I am and so far it’s been pretty interesting. Listen if you think you might be old one day.
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