You need extra perseverance and creativity to deal with chronic illness, disability, poverty, caretaking responsibilities and other circumstances. It should be a time of reflection, reading, and personal interactions with friends and family. No one needs a special talent to smile, say an encouraging word or offer a prayer. There is immense value in small, significant acts that don't require a lot of energy or stamina. He said if he couldn't dance, at least he could play music so others could.
Youngsters get a lot from caring older people.
One woman who uses a wheelchair reads to neighborhood children, helps them with homework and knits them warm mittens. Author Lousie Lee Outlaw's husband Joe Shallitt began to show signs of Alzheimer's Disease. Expert care and her tender love couldn't conquer this progressive brain disorder. She got some respite from caretaking when her husband enrolled in a day treatment center. Feeling well and being intensely active is the good fortune of many older people.