I would consider myself an adventurous person, but I don’t always like to try new things.
When I’m thrust into an unfamiliar environment, it can take me a little bit to warm up and find my bearings. That’s probably true for most people, barring the most social butterfly.
I recently met up with an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) client at an Adult Day Service. This client was incredibly eager to share their story with me and tell me all about the fun activities they get to do there.
The two of us bonded over something I didn’t expect: stepping out of our comfort zones.
This client, I’ll call them “A” to protect them, has had a rough go of it the last six years. Their spouse was diagnosed with dementia and put in a nursing home, they broke their femur and lost a toe.
“I quit driving in 2018, so I just sat at home and did nothing,” A told me. “I have crochet, but it didn’t really interest me. I had no desire to do anything.”
A’s Area Agency on Aging care manager shared with me that with all that time on their client’s hands, A was talking to strangers on the internet, and had been scammed out of some money.
The care manager suggested adult day services to A to try to take up some of that free time.
“They set up a visit here one day and I liked what I saw. It took a couple of weeks to get it arranged, but once I got here, everything works around Monday and Wednesday now. I don’t schedule anything else for the days I’m coming here,” A said. “You get out of the house; you meet like-minded people. It’s a very diverse group.”
A walked me through their breakfast and lunch routine. Somedays they play bingo, hit a beach ball around, or color with colored pencils. I visited on “Bring your favorite book day.”
But exercise class is A’s favorite, and I was invited to stay and join in.
It would have been easy for me to say, “no thank you, I have to get back to work.” But I chose to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. I pulled up a chair and waved my arms and legs around with the group of about 20 people of all different abilities.
Like client A, I chose to do something different, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
As I think back on this day, and A’s story, I am reminded that sometimes life is too overwhelming to figure out how to do anything. Sometimes it takes a suggestion or an invitation from someone.
My partner and I often have decision paralysis because there are so many things to go do and see, how do we even begin to pick just one thing? We’re planning a trip for later this month and are having the darndest time narrowing down the places we want to eat while there. It all sounds so good.
If you’re feeling stuck in a rut or a funk, might I recommend one of Area Agency on Aging’s volunteer programs? Our Friendly Caller program can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Senior Companions offer friendship to older adults and adults with disabilities. Foster Grandparents mentor kids in the classroom.
Volunteer MMAP counselors educate people on Medicare/Medicaid; and class teachers share their knowledge with others in our Computer Learning Center or various interesting classes.
Maybe you just want to take a class, our Campus for Creative Aging offers classes on a variety of topics like balance, healthy cooking, Personal Action Toward Health, Microsoft Excel, and so much more.
If none of those opportunities strike your fancy, our Information & Access specialists would be happy to provide you with contact information for your local senior center or for a support group that fits your needs. They can also connect you to a counselor if it seems impossible to do anything.
The best way to get a hold of us is by calling the Info-Line: 800-654-2810. But you can also now chat with us via our website: www.areaagencyonaging.org.
Area Agency on Aging has been helping connect our client A to services in the community for over six years now. They have chosen to have an in-home caregiver, transportation to doctors’ appointments and adult day services, help transferring home after hospital and rehabilitation stays, and so much more.
“I’m so thankful to Area Agency on Aging,” A said. “I need to be here, and they made it happen.”
Stepping out of your comfort zone is hard, but you’re not alone. We’re all doing it every day in this crazy thing we call life. Who knows what sorts of exercise classes, new friends and fun experiences are on the other side of that scary leap.
Alexandra Newman is the communications and outreach coordinator for the Region IV Area Agency on Aging in Southwest Michigan. Interested in having an AAA representative speak to your group or organization? Email alexandranewman@areaagencyonaging.org. Questions on age or independence services? Call the Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 800-654-2810.
The Generations column appears each weekend in The Herald-Palladium.