If community building is an important facet to ageing, then bringing about cross-generational and cross-cultural interaction is another focus area for organisations. The senior citizens volunteer with local school events. At the national zoo, there are volunteer groups that aid tourists with the park map. Boosting internet literacy in the ageing population is another such solution.
An elderly influencer
Which brings us to Kimiko Nishimoto, the 90-year-old “Insta-gran,” who boasts over 220,000 Instagram followers. If the incredible athletes mentioned above are testaments to the mind and body, then she is of the heart and spirit. Nishimoto started attending photography lessons at school directed by her son, then fell in love with the shutter sound of a camera. Her quirky frames and clothing capture her surprising sense of humour. She plays with social norms by poking fun at her “oldness”: a satirical frame of herself in an automobile accident, an image of her riding her scooter at hyper speed, a self-portrait in a garbage bag. As she, like many other senior citizens, lives on her own, her son bought her the robot “Pepper” as a friend. She jokes that she scolds him for being too loud but also dresses him up in ribbons to pose for the camera.
Japan has some superstars among the “super-aged,” who are helping to take away the stigma of age. Now, Japanese policy makers, companies and communities are focusing more and more on improving the quality of life of their senior citizens. It is their achievements, perseverance and general outlook that we should look upon for inspiration.
Perhaps, then, the key to ageing gracefully is simply to embrace the no meiwaku mentality… While the Japanese diet has certainly been lauded for keeping the population healthy, there has to be more to these seniors’ secrets. When Nishimoto was asked about her diet, she admitted to drinking bourbon in a tall glass and smoking cigarettes daily. So no, simply living on a healthy diet is not the only key to being super-aged.
Perhaps the answer is right there, in the joy she shares on her Instagram feed.
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