Chorus Voices Ep 35: Love your age

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Love your age starts with a love story about two Chorus customers in their 80s, Elizabeth and Kevin, who are celebrating six months as newlyweds.

A lack of respect for older people can stem from a perception that they aren’t engaged in productive activities.

“Let’s flip the stereotype,” says Louise Forster. “There’s something about our stereotypes of who can find love and maybe how they can find love.”

Kevin and Elizabeth talk about dating, playing hard to get and what it’s like to be married second time around.

“I wanted to be with Elizabeth very, very much,” says Kevin. “I knew that there was a lovely relationship to be had between the two of us, but I didn’t really want to just live together. It needed to be deeper than that for me.”

“If we could talk about a love story like the one we just heard, Kevin and Elizabeth, then that’s a really powerful way of flipping the stereotype,” says Dan Minchin.

Ian (left) from Chorus North Perth Home Maintenance team with Alan

Ian (left) from Chorus North Perth Home Maintenance team with volunteer Alan (right)

Getting old can include loss – a loved one, your memory or something that you once had. We also talk to Chorus volunteer Alan who has been volunteering for 10 years. Alan is about to turn 80 and gave up his driver’s licence.

“The only thing I’m not managing now is a motor car,” says Alan. “Other than that, I mean, it’s still my lifestyle. I’m doing two days a week in the volunteering tasks.”

“If the age is a problem, you don’t have to show it,” adds Alan. “You just accept the person as they are. And by doing that you can make it a lot easier for their life as well.”

Having purpose and belonging impacts on our general health and wellbeing. “There are great examples of where people can live a good life, and live longer and live better through the power of staying engaged and staying involved,” says Dan.