Life is not easy – is it? Age is an Adventure!
Discover the inspiring perspective of Birgit Meinhard-Schiebel, president of our Austrian member, the Austria’s Interest Group of Caring Relatives, on why growing older is not a challenge—but an adventure. In her reflections, she explores how planning, courage, and support turn ageing into a meaningful and empowering stage of life.
Don’t be astonished by my title, and especially not by the idea that ageing is an adventure. An adventure that we only experience once we’re right in the middle of it—of becoming older. Older than we thought.
When we look at the history of humankind, at the few tens of thousands of years that we’ve existed, we can only marvel that all of us here in the hall are still alive.
All too often we live in memories, including those of how our ancestors fared—those who were here before us: parents, grandparents, great-grandparents. They not only had a different way of life, but also a different life expectancy. They too depended on where they were born and under what social circumstances they lived.
What about growing old is so exciting?
We rely on the fact that we can—at least in the wonderful city of Vienna—be well cared for. This is a service the city administration offers us. Other cities and countries in Europe, or even worldwide, do the same. I had the honor and the pleasure of getting to know European cities that, for years, just like us, have been preparing to become age-appropriate cities.
A few years ago, when I was a district councillor in Vienna’s Alsergrund, I had the idea of conducting a survey in our own neighbourhood on how the district could be more age-appropriate. The answers—which were numerous, by the way—were:
More places to sit while out and about, clean toilets in public spaces, and no cyclists on the pavements.
We also asked the same questions in the district’s youth parliament: surprisingly, they expressed the exact same wishes.
Today, many things in Vienna already look different. For that reason, my special thanks go to Sabine Hofer-Gruber, who, as the commissioner for seniors, is doing everything she can to make Vienna an age-friendly city.
The adventure starts when we take the first steps into old age. When do we feel old? Is there a definition of who gets old, and when?
Yes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is such a thing. The WHO divides older people into different categories, by focusing on the transition into old age and on maintaining health.
The WHO age categories are:
- “Transition into old age”: 60 to 65 years
- “Young old”: 60 to 74 years
- “Elderly and very elderly”: 75 to 89 years
- “Oldest old”: 90 to 99 years
- “Long-lived”: 100 years and older
The WHO further emphasizes that chronological age does not always correspond to biological age and that maintaining health in old age is crucially important: for example, the WHO established the concept of “healthy ageing.” This concept focuses, among other things, on promoting physical activity, a healthy diet, as well as information about ageing, in order to understand the process of ageing as “a stage of life that can be shaped (…).” (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG), online, 31/12/2025).
The new platform for health in old age was created by Gesundheit Österreich GmbH [GÖG; Health Austria GmbH] on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection: https://goeg.at/plattform_gesundes_altern
These are wise words; words that are part of our ageing adventure and relate to what we learned in earlier years such as eating a healthy diet and moving enough.
To be honest, in particular in old age, we must learn a lot in order to have a successful aging adventure. If you now think of the WHO age categories and suddenly find yourself in one of them, it sometimes triggers a strange feeling. I don’t feel like that, but… That is what surprises us, even though it is self-evident—otherwise we would already be dead.
Why am I saying all of this?
For one simple reason: growing old and being old is an adventure because, in some areas of life, it requires the courage to change.
- What can I do?
- Where do I need help?
- Did I ever think before that maybe I can no longer dash up all the floors so lightly and carefree?
What is it like when I, we, should do all of this; go to preventive check-ups and face the fact that symptoms appear here and there that need to be examined more closely?
Age does not protect us from illness or discomfort. But recognizing and treating them in time—facing them rather than looking away—is part of the equipment we develop in the ageing adventure. Right from the beginning, adventures have to be calculable for them not to fail.
No matter how old you are: if you plan an adventure trip, you probably first go to a shop and gather everything you might need, because you don’t climb a mountain in flip-flops and you don’t travel anywhere in the world without the right clothing. Of course, you rely on the fact that there is an emergency service for emergencies worldwide—and know that you can rely on them. Hence, adventures need sensible planning. At least they should, otherwise it’s on others to ensure that you get home unharmed.
Growing old is an adventure, because never before have so many people grown so old thanks to good medical and social care. But the individual adventure still looks a little different, because the world does not stand still and changes. Especially in old age, you have to say goodbye to some pleasant times, and that takes resilience and strength to withstand, as well as courage, and a clear view that the remaining time must be well prepared.
Why is it important to have ease of access where I live? What footwear do I need other than flip-flops? How will I manage my pension? Which dreams can I fulfil in this time? What have I always wanted to do and postponed?
Aging is a very special adventure: it is a time that has an end, because one day we will all die, even if we all would want to be on this earth forever. Yet, we can talk about this part of the adventure too, and even plan for it: where do I want to be in this phase of life? What do I want then—and what do I definitely not want?
This is the mountain we have to climb, or a swim in the endless sea—knowing that we will not return. Good ageing is neither a buzzword nor an illusion, but something we have influence over as best we can. Being able to remain independent is a great wish. But where help is necessary, you also have to accept it, otherwise you won’t get any further on the mountain and you will go under in the endless sea. That is why sometimes it takes courage to say where you need help, so as not to say goodbye to life too early.
Embrace this adventure, because it is worth every day of it, both on good days and on bad days. We only have this one life, thus the adventure must succeed.
To a good life!
BIRGIT MEINHARD-SCHIEBEL is the president of the interest group of Caring Relatives. She gained professional experience, among other things, as an actress, adult educator, supervisor, and social manager.
Website: Interest Group of Caring Relatives www.ig-pflege.at
Tel. no.: +43 (1) 58900 ext. 328
E-mail: office@ig-pflege.at
