Let’s meet Susan (Suzie)

LET’S MEET SUSAN (SUZIE)

Song: ‘Simply The Best’- Tina Turner RIP

Suzie has volunteered to be featured in my blog as she shares my ambition to live a long and healthy life. I will regularly interview Suzie for updates about her lifestyle as she ages towards becoming a healthy centenarian.

Suzie was born in June 1944 and is 79 years young. Suzie has two daughters and 5 grandchildren. She has been married for 52 years.

Suzie is from the Silent Generation which precedes the Baby Boomer Generation. The Silent Generation are people born between 1928 to 1945 and aged between 78 and 95. According to Wikipedia, characteristics of the Silent Generation include being thrifty, unassuming, loyal, hard-working and respectful.

I had a lifestyle conversation with Suzie and these are her responses.

Q: Tell me about your childhood?

S: “I lived most of my life in a regional country town. It was a small town and playing sport was a popular past time. I played basketball, swam at the local pool and participated in gymkhanas, pony club and horseriding .”

Q: Did you continue to play sport as an adult?

S: “Yes, I become a swimming instructor and regularly played golf. Also going to dances was popular and good exercise.”

Q: Do you still exercise?

S: “I stopped golf at 75 but now get exercise just doing house chores and some gardening. We don’t have any home help. I am also my husband’s carer, so looking after him gives me plenty of exercise. I’m not the type to sit for hours, I am up and down a lot.”

Q: Tell me about life after school?

S: “I left school at 15 and went to Wagga Wagga Tech and completed a secretarial/business course. My first job was at Vaculug. It was a place that supplied huge tyres to the Snowy Mountain hydro-electricity scheme. I got married in 1967. I continued to work and only stopped while my children were very small. My husband looked after the children at the weekends and I worked part time in a chemist and TAB. I have worked most of my life including Junee school, a cafe, a hairdresser, ‘Young Husbands’ farming supplies and in the video shop/general store that my husband and I own.

Q: Do you have siblings?

S: “I have two older sisters, Marie is 8 years older than me and Joan is 10 years older than me. One sister has passed away and the other is in aged care. I also had a younger sister Anne, she was 18 months younger. Anne had polio as a young child but died from cancer when she was 72.”

Q: Have you mostly had a healthy diet?

S: “Yes, fairly simple foods, meat and three veg and salads. My husband always had a vegetable garden so there were lots of fresh veges. We still eat lots of veges but occasionally order Chinese or Pizza home delivery.”

Q: What about drinking and smoking?

S: “I have the occasional beer but I do smoke. I know I should stop. I tried once and didn’t feel well while I wasn’t smoking.”

Q: Have you had any major illness or operations?

S: “When I was 39 I had chicken pox. I was very, very sick and was in intensive care for 6 days but I eventually made a full recovery.”

Q: How is your health now?

S: “Really good. I recently had a blood test and ECG and the results were all good. I often get aches and pains mainly my back and legs.

Q: Do you take any medications?

S: “Not much, Vitamin D and the odd Panadol. That’s all.’

Q: Have you had any falls?

S: “Yes, I tripped on an uneven path. I fell on my hand and chin. I didn’t break anything, just bruising and swelling. I am fine now.”

Q: Do you need any aides such as glasses, walking stick?

S: “Only glasses for reading and driving.”

Q: Do you drive much?

S: “Mostly in my local area for shopping. I drive my husband to his eye specialist and when we go out each week. I need to get yearly checks on my eyes and a certificate from my doctor so I can continue to drive.”

Q: Do you use any modern technology?

S: “Yes, all the time. Facebook, Netflix, Youtube and Google. I use my mobile to send SMS and to check Facebook. I use the autobank too but don’t like self-scanning in shops. I prefer to chat to the staff while they serve me.”

Q: What types of things do you do to keep you brain active?

S: “I do crosswords every day and I play games on the computer. Mainly solitaire. I like to watch the news and current affair shows.”

Q: What do you do for relaxation?

S: “Computer games, listening to music, watching movies and crocheting.”

Q: Are you a social person?

S: “Yes, I go out each week with friends, and friends often call in. I have a friend that I regularly see, we go out together. Last week we went to see the John Farnham movie. I like going to the local shops too. I have a chat to shop staff and locals that I know.”

Q: Do you feel it’s important to look after your outside appearance?

S: “Yes. I go to the hairdresser and like to dress nicely when I go out. I use moisturiser on my face and body.”

Q: How important is family to you?

S: “Very. I regularly speak to my daughters on the mobile. I sometimes get SMS from my grandchildren but their mums mostly keep me up to date. My daughters and families live 6 hours away. They come to visit when they can.”

Q: Has there been anything major or significant that has impacted your life?

S: “Yes. I moved six hours away from my family when I was 60. I feel I missed out on time with my family particularly my grandchildren. I was minding my granddaughter when we moved away. It’s sometimes hard not being close to family. I miss them. I looked after my youngest sister when she had cancer. It was very sad when she passed away at only 72. That had a big impact on me. Both my parents died at 78 on the same date except nine years apart. I was glad to be 79!”

Q: Has music had much impact in your life?

S: “Definitely. My husband is a piano player. He played at dances and weddings when we were younger. I love music from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s. I have lots of CDs. I like to watch music clips on Youtube like The Eagles and Elton John. I sometimes watch RAGE on ABC if its music that I know or like. I have watched Lady Gaga and Freddie Mercury in their movies. I love music documentaries too. My husband and I used to love going to dances. The jive dance was one of our favourites.”

Q: Do you feel you have had a happy life?

S: “Yes I have, I don’t think I would change anything.”

Q: Would you like to live to be a Centenarian?

S: “Yes, if I am healthy.”

Q: “What do you think the future might hold for other generations?

S: “I mostly think about my grandchildren. I hope they will have their own homes and plenty of work.”

Thank you Suzie for sharing that information about your life.

Suzie has certainly been a hard worker which is a characteristic of her generation. Music has played a big part in her life and continues to do so. Suzie has embraced a lot of modern technology and enjoys spending time with family and friends. Suzie eats a healthy diet and gets daily exercise being active at home.

Suzie is happy and healthy and living her life towards being a healthy centenarian.

Till next time we meet, keep on Rockin ‘n’ Rollin…

Kim