Encountering Old Age

Prof. Emer. Dr. Šime Ivanjko about his work

Excerpt from the author's introduction:

"The purpose of this work is to offer readers the option to prepare for the miracle of the beauty of life in old age by reflecting on ageing, and to shift the imposed belief in society that we are unnecessary and a burden to society and a hindrance to ourselves. By the nature of things, we are called to live to be happy, and since old age is an integral part of life, it is essential to create the conditions for us to be happy even in this stage. Society can provide happiness, but only on the condition that we ourselves actively seek happiness in the present moment.
If my thoughts help readers, the future elderly, to prepare in time for old age, and if today's young people understand the indisputable yet often overlooked fact that the current, highest quality of life in civilization so far is due to today's elderly, however we may define that term, then my purpose is fulfilled."

From the editor's introduction, Prof. Emer. Dr. Jana Goriup:

The material "Encountering Old Age" by Prof. Emer. Dr. Šime Ivanjko is important from multiple perspectives. Firstly, because it brings to the forefront issues regarding the concept and operationalization of ageing and old age, gender, the social status of older adults, family processes and family structure, residential living, anxiety, alienation, anemia, the self-image and self-esteem of older people, the locus of control, intellectual abilities or intelligence, leisure activities, cultural capital, and social capital of older adults, as well as the cooperation between the elderly, younger generations, and other stakeholders in the living arrangements of older adults. The content of this work consists of the author’s collected occasional writings, inspired by various experiences in the later stages of his life, by reflections drawn from books, academic and popular articles, and from yellowed lecture notes prepared for law and economics students. For the grammatical formation of specific ideas, he also used the assistance of artificial intelligence on the OpenAI platform. The artificial intelligence was particularly helpful in gathering various quotes and perspectives on old age from literary works and religious texts. He read professional literature on ageing with the help of the Blinks platform, which publishes summaries of world-renowned works and research. Thus, the writings in this publication are a summary of the author's 10-year reflection on his own experience of ageing and on the works he has read, TV shows he has watched, and publications in academic and daily media on the topic of ageing, as he believes that although much is published about ageing, as individuals we are not sufficiently informed, and even less prepared for old age.
This publication has been in the making for several years since the author retired in 2012 after 51 years of professional work and entered the period of "old age," though, as the author states, he does not know when (his) old age actually began. Hence, his insightful and, at times, polemical reflections on ageing, the ageing process, health, and illness in the final stages of life, while also addressing the contents and paths of active and productive ageing, are examined from various perspectives. In this way, he inherently raises questions about the increasing importance of awareness and the implementation of the meaning of ageing, old age, and health in a postmodern society, along with active, productive, and healthy lifestyles, and the fight against illness in the context of sustainable development for older adults. For the author,

"ageing is a four-stage spiritual process, or there are four key stages of ageing: accepting the fact that we are ageing; adapting to the changes that old age brings to our lives; accepting the realization of who we are; and recognizing that we are unique."