Shifting Perspectives panel to highlight diversity in seniors

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — It’s all about shifting perspectives.

That’s exactly what the Wood County Resource Network is hoping to share in its upcoming panel, “Shifting Perspectives” focused on hearing from seniors speaking on aging.

According to the Wood County Committee on Aging (WCCOA), the panel helps to provide the opportunity for others to learn that not all seniors age at the same rate or experience the same things.

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According to volunteer and senior panelist Darlene Petkwitz, too often seniors are lumped into the same basket, when in reality everyone is different.

“Everything is very individualized as you get older. Whether it’s physical health, mental health, what’s going on with your spouses, partners, families, or your financial health, it’s different for everyone,” Petkwitz said. “Seniors should not be put into some kind of one basket.”

She explained how she believes the benefit of the panel will be for others to hear personal insight from a variety of seniors experiencing life differently with different backgrounds, with the goal of normalizing different circumstances for all.

From solo agers like Petkwtiz to caregivers and retirees, she said the panel will help to give others the opportunity to ask questions and get answers in real-time based on personal experiences.

“There are just some things that are going to happen when you age that you just can’t control. I’m afraid that parts of health are one of those. But, I think you need to recognize the things that you can control, the parts of your health you can control. Like, the parts of your finances, the parts of your social life,” Petkwitz said. “With my life, I currently live in Wood County, and I like living out in a rural area and having some nice wide open spaces. I appreciate a more quiet, restful place for myself right now.”

For others on the panel, like Susan Dunn, she said she’s hoping to share her unique perspective as a caregiver.

“As we’ve been hearing, seniors are a very broad range of ages and situations with totally different needs. I mean, technically I’m a senior, but I’m focused on my husband right now. I’m not trying to figure out what I need as a senior. I’m trying to figure out what he needs,” Dunn said.

For years, Dunn said she’s been acting as her husband’s caregiver as his dementia has worsened.

“The whole caregiver thing and going down the dementia path, it’s such a learning process and there’s no set of directions that are gonna work for everybody. Sometimes you don’t know where to start and where to turn and that’s why you really have to rely on talking to people and reaching out and not doing it alone because it’s an isolating experience,” she said.

However, she said once she found the WCCOA with the attached care center, it quickly became an incredible help.

“They have an RN on staff and they have a social worker, so you’ve got access to a lot of information through those individuals and they meet with you frequently. So, as things come up and sometimes you just need an answer, they can help you,” Dunn said. “He [my husband] gets to engage in activities. Sometimes it’s just as simple as coloring or doing puzzles or bingo. But, they also have visits by a miniature pony, dogs, along with a lot of things that I would not be able to provide at home.”

Dunn and Petkwitz said the panel will help to share the good of aging, but also the struggles.

However, no matter their experience, they said they want people to know no matter where you are in life, every experience is okay to have.

“Keep yourself engaged when you’re young. Maybe that’s with your family and your kids, being in a lot of activities, you know, the soccer, whatever kind of thing, and as you age, being out there in the community and doing things may change, but I think it’s really important for people to try and get out and do what they can, say hi to others, have acquaintances in a social life,” Petkwitz said.

Dunn agreed, saying that the WCCOA has not only helped to provide social settings and services for her husband, but also for herself.

“Reaching out to other people, friends, family, and professionals who can help you is probably the biggest thing. Don’t hesitate to do that and don’t wait,” Dunn said. “Support is the big thing because what’s happening isn’t gonna change. So, support to go through the process is the most help.”

For those interested in attending, the Shifting Perspectives senior panel takes place May 21 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Wood County Committee on Aging location in Bowling Green.