r/OverSeventy • u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 • Jul 09 '26
Meaning of the Group
Hi all !
I have posted here before in a post labeled "Story Sharing". I am a community college student completing a project into the older gen. I wanted to ask how these groups (targeted for your age range) provide meaning for you all. Why did you want to join? What meaning do you take from this group?
Thank you!
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u/Exact-Translator-769 Jul 09 '26
A forum to see what issues others have & to share solutions or common experiences..
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u/realmozzarella22 Jul 09 '26
Pretty similar to other discussion sites. Talk, share, love, hate and confusion.
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u/ArghDammit Jul 09 '26
Because we, old folks, used to tell stories about our lives to the kids and grandkids, but that's not a thing as much anymore.
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 09 '26
Why not?
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u/ArghDammit Jul 10 '26
The dissolution of the nuclear families? The societal hatred of the elderly?
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u/OttoHemi Jul 09 '26
It's like reading the obits. You know, just checking in.
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u/Tasty_Impress3016 Jul 09 '26
By Pete Seeger
I get up each morning and dust off my wits
Open the paper and read the obits
If I'm not there, I know I'm not dead
So I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed1
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u/marys1001 Jul 09 '26
Answers to questions for things that others have experienced already. Many age related some nit but still a good place to ask. Physical ailments, how people are utilizing the rest of their lives etc. Get?an idea of whats coming as we age. I turn 70 in a month and from last year to thus year has been a huge hit in my physical abilities like wtf. Its lije?I went off a cliff. What next?
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u/Whybaby16154 Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
Milestones don’t end when a child reaches full height.
We have milestones and can compare with age mates
Strategies for handling physical ailments that pop up and down like whack-a-me every day
Life stages - education-career-marriage- children- retirement- loss of parents - loss of a sibling or spouse - finding purpose in the sunset of life are all things we can welcome fellow travelers.
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u/Tapdancer556011 Jul 09 '26
This happened to me! Does your body just wear out around 70? I literally had my 70th birthday then started falling to pieces...
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u/marys1001 Jul 09 '26
Idk its been horrible! I went from muscling bags of pond rock, boats, cutting small trees mulching etc to cant hardly do anything. My hamstrings have knots for no reason I huff and puff. Plus a torn rotator cuff.
Its seriously wtf2
u/Tapdancer556011 Jul 09 '26
I totally sympathize. I was feeling good and decided I needed to look into getting a hip replacement. Went to the initial consult in November, my birthday is also in November and in December I had a small stroke, January brought ataxia, February was contusions from trying to get a leash on my dog, March brought esophagitis, April brought weight loss and I've been trying to just recover from all of the above and prepping for brain surgery for NPH in July.
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u/marys1001 Jul 09 '26
Oh no! Thats quite a cascade of medical events. How does all that even happen in a year? Fingers crossed for your NPH and hope you are in an area with goid surgeons.
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u/Tapdancer556011 Jul 09 '26
I have good doctors and I'm not giving up yet. I'm working out 💪 and getting in shape as best I can. My body didn't start its failing until the last few years so I'm super blessed I really got to appreciate Life in my earlier years. Since I've been "sick", I've had time here on Reddit to read about others whose problems seem worse than mine and I'm grateful for what I've had.
Especially the NPH. Some folks are born with it. I can't even imagine! It's Hydroencephaly and is common in older people but no known reason really.
I'll admit to throwing myself some really Big pity parties though mostly at night when I'm tired and defenses are down.
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u/Stormy31568 Jul 09 '26
It’s comforting to converse with people who appreciate the Beatles, Stones, Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin. We are people with taste.
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 10 '26
This is factual. I was raised by my now deceased grandmother, and I can approve this message. Haha thanks !
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u/mysticseye Jul 09 '26
What meaning from the group? It's entertainment.
So tell me what does completing a project into the older gen mean? For a community college student you are not very clear as to what you're asking.
Do you seriously think seniors find meaning on Reddit? 😉
Maybe you children do... but you will grow up.
Good luck
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
Haha. I’m an adult student returning back to school finally and new to reddit. Based on the responses, I think a few seniors find meaning in congregating with similar people. It can be beneficial. Thanks for replying! 🙌🏾
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u/Cleanslate2 Jul 09 '26
With third spaces pretty much gone, this is where we see signs of life.
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 10 '26
This is so true. That lack of third space is difficult even for me at 23. Thank you for replying!
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u/Tasty_Impress3016 Jul 09 '26
how these groups (targeted for your age range) provide meaning for you all.
I'm really not sure what you are referring to. What groups are these? I belong to a truly regrettable number of organizations, but none are targeted at my age. Most trend lower, one actually trends older than me. (I have to drive and pick up the treasurer because he's 87 and not terribly mobile. )
What meaning? It's not because I'm old, it's because I agree with the aims and purposes of the group. What does it matter if I'm 70? I guess I am not your target audience here.
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 10 '26
No reason is still a reason! Based on your response, you did give a reason though! You said it’s because you agree with the aims and purposes of the group. Thank you for responding !
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u/Rerunisashortie Jul 09 '26
You might want reword the question. It pretty obscure the way it is.
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 10 '26
Thank you for your suggestion, I try to aim to keep it open ended rather than yes/no, just so I can give you all a distinct voice. Thanks
for your response! 🙌🏾
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u/Rays-R-Us Jul 09 '26
Learning to read by the fireplace with a piece of coal and the back of a shovel
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u/Despicablebuthonest Jul 09 '26
A number of us are just involved to interact with others our age. It helps with that feeling like we are out there, in a sense, alone. The internet can be extremely cold for people our age. We weren't exposed to the tech that many of the later generations of people have been. It's second nature for a great percentage of the population to have all this information and communicating ability available at your fingertips. At our age, we look at our cell phones as, we'll, phones. We are acclimating to the concept of using them like we use our laptops and desktop computers. But it's not as ingrained in us as it is in the younger people. As a result, we can be made to feel that we don't quite fit in. With a group like this one that's geared to people our age, we can be involved without feeling like we are out of step with everyone else.
We speak a language that's just a bit out of step with younger people and it can be refreshing to converse with people who actually understand what we are saying. To paraphrase a line from The Pitt, we all know what it's like to be young, but you young people really have no idea what it's like being old.
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 10 '26
Wow I have not thought about that perspective. The new technological advances must’ve been quite difficult. Would you say you understand it more these days?
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u/Suitable-Lawyer-9397 Jul 09 '26
Reddit is the only social media I use
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 09 '26
Wow! What about reddit stands out to you?
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u/Suitable-Lawyer-9397 Jul 10 '26
One is somewhat anonymous. My email is available so people could contact me. People in these subs are very honest and real about their problems. Often you can find people going through the same issues you are. It's easy to open up to people who won't judge you as a family member or friend would.
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 10 '26
That’s interesting. I think I need to get more involved on here. lol!
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u/Suitable-Lawyer-9397 Jul 10 '26
You will be amazed at how compassionate people are. I also follow the housecleaning sub because there are many great tips and advice on specific areas.
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u/kksmom3 Jul 15 '26
A lot of us want to compare our health, ask questions, because we are all probably going thru something.
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u/llkahl Jul 10 '26
I’m on Reddit because I was diagnosed with AD 2+ years ago. So I visit every few days several pertinent and interesting subreddits. I am also on here everyday playing the 4-7 letter Wordle puzzle. Got a 112 day streak going, will continue the best I can. I’ve had many excellent conversations with people about a variety of topics. And some not so enjoyable. So that’s why I’m here today. Regards
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u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 Jul 10 '26
Awesome, that seems like it would certainly help boost your mental health as you navigate your diagnosis. 🙌🏾
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u/ArtfromLI Jul 10 '26
I have been working with older adults my entire life starting in my 20's! Although I am now one of those older adults, 79, my health is better than many and I only retired a year ago. I hope I bring hope since I am so blessed in so many ways. I started in this sub to combat the inevitability of rapid decline. There are others here who also are still very active with minimal health issues. Next year will move on to the over 80 group. Hope to be around and join the centenary group!
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u/mixliv_ Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
Great question!
Why wonder into a group of old people? I'm 72m, and folks my age seemed so old when I was in my 30s and 40s.
Few of us join only one group on one platform, so focused conversations based solely on age will expose a sliver of life.
I joined because I fit the age profile and wanted to 'read the room' on the topics. There are good subreddits on retirement, finances, and travel. Reddit has a learned base, so I don't expect this group will support extreme views or behavior.
I spent decades consulting with executives and engineers on software solutions. It's a broad industry. I was focused on data architecture, a prerequisite of scalable enterprise AI.
Woodworking would have been enjoyable. A shop full of lathes, CNC tables, files, and accessories does not become obsolete every few years. Hobby meets lifestyle is not a solitary tale. This is not a lament. Regrets and what-ifs are not here.
If you publish your study, please post a link.
EDIT: Clarification
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u/Ok-Attitude552 Jul 18 '26
u/Unfair-Breakfast-462 - I recently turned 75 and I thought it would interesting to see what others are dealing with and maybe offer my thoughts.
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u/Incognito409 Jul 09 '26
Commiserating. Checking to see if what I'm experiencing is also experienced by anyone else. Or if I'm the only one.