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I only know Beth as my landlord and neighbor for several months now, but the interview made me realize how she's been doing just about the same things as she's been doing about 10 or 20 years ago... she does complain of back pain and other chronic issues she has, but it doesn't stop her from seeing friends and doing enjoyable things with her spouse Chris. I think that sometimes we have an unconscious bias that older people just sit at home and do nothing with most of their time, and this interview made me realize that there is more to someone that meets the eye and unfortunately, we can sometimes have that unconscious bias towards older people. I think the big takeaway from my interview with Beth was the importance of still being independent was to her and still being able to enjoy the things that bring her happiness, despite her awareness that she is starting to feel the effects of aging. Beth also acknowledged how she wants to do better in terms of taking care of her health because she still cherishes how she is able to spend time with friends and family. I think I need to be more aware that older people greatly value the independence that they have and it is our job to be sensitive to that and to help them preserve that independence.

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What frustrations does the elder have with technology?

Beth: "I get pissed off with my iPhone ringer. If I don't have the tab down then I miss calls or voicemails. I now have the phone flashing lights when I get a phone call or text so I can see it go off. Sometimes I have to call one of the kids when we have problems with the wi-fi but usually Chris just resets it with the button. I think I do just fine working with the phone and the apps."

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How does this technology help them maintain their life or enhance their life?

Beth: "The iPhone keeps me busy. I have a lot of apps on it and I go on my Facebook to stay up to date on the kids. I have alarms on my phone and music on Pandora. I use the Alexa for the cooking timers. Yeah I'd say it enhances my life having an iPhone."

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What type of technology does the elder use in their daily life?

Beth: "I use my iPhone for everything. I have Alexa in my kitchen for my timers and I ask it about the weather sometimes. Chris got me the Apple Watch and I don't know how to use it."

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When the elder was receiving healthcare, what communication does the elder remember being effective? How could communication from the healthcare team been improved?

Beth: "What grinds my gears is the nurses and doctors talking with the medical terms when they're talking to me. The surgeon that did the repair was the only one that asked me if I understood and explained stuff more slowly to me. That's how you talk to a patient."

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What memories does the elder have from the hospitalization or healthcare visit?

Beth: "When I had my double hernia repair, I told the anesthesiologist guy that I needed to use the bathroom before I go into the pre-op place. He told me they'd get me to a restroom when I got down there and when I did go down the nurses had me piss in a pan with the curtains wide open! I didn't say nothing but I was embarrassed. It was embarrassing and it made it harder for me to go."

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Has the elder been hospitalized or received healthcare for a significant health issue?

Beth: "I was hospitalized for my gallbladder being taken out, my kids and in the last five years I had a double hernia repair."

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How does the elder respond to experienced ageism?

Beth: "I don't care to be honest with you. But that's what I see on the internet and such."

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Has the elder experienced ageism either personally or through society/the media?

Beth: "I suppose the ageism I see through the TV and through Facebook is a lot of advertisements with younger girls in it for makeup and the subscription boxes. Things like that. I like to use a lot of that stuff but they never show any older women my age with the advertisements."

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How has the elder felt about transitioning into old age? Which transition has been the most difficult?

Beth: "You really don't think about it too much until you wake up everyday like you just got hit by a truck and you can't stand to look at yourself in the mirror anymore. Sometimes you miss the days when you didn't have to worry about all that stuff but at this point I just don't give a damn. What's hard is having to deal with all the aches and pains while still having to go to work everyday. I can't do late nights anymore."

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How does the elder feel about being at the age they are at? Are they proud that they've "made it this far?", do they feel like they're just getting started, or are they somewhere in-between?

Beth: "I feel fine. I'm thankful I can still do everything for Chris and I without too much trouble. I'd say I'm proud I don't have lung cancer at this point. I'm way past getting started. I'm slowing down for sure. I have no idea how much longer I have left, but I'm gonna enjoy what I can for now."

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Beth Did Not Want a Picture Taken (And that's okay!)

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Beth Did Not Want a Picture Taken (And that's okay!)

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Beth dyes her hair purple, and wears cute glasses. She is 66 years old. She is also my landlord and we are neighbors! She lives with her husband Chris, two cats and a dog!

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If you had the power to solve one and only one problem in the world, what would be and why?
Beth: "The race problem. Nobody, and I mean nobody, should have to live in fear for the way they look. That's all I got to say about that."

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What, if anything, would you have done differently in your life?
Beth: "Maybe tried to have a better relationship with my mom. Things look different now that I think back on those days."

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What's your most cherished family tradition? Why is it important?
"Oh it's got to be the Christmas cookies the kids and I make when they come over. We make the sugar cookies from scratch and we take the time to decorate every single one. It's not important really, it's just something we do every year and I always look forward to seeing the kids."

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If you live another 20-30 years, what will you do? Do you want to live another 20-30 years?
Beth: "God, I hope not. Just give me my dog and my beer and when it's time, it's time."

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How should a person prepare for old age? Is there anything you wish you'd done differently?
Beth: "Do **** that scares you. Don't smoke. Stop worrying about people that wouldn't take a second of their day to think about you. The older you get, the faster time passes. I wish someone told me that when I was your age."

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If you could go back to any age, which age would it be and why?
Beth: "I gotta say 30. I had the opportunities to do a lot of things and I let life get in the way of it. That's one thing I guess I regret."

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Is the present better or worse than when you were younger?
Beth: "Like our country? Worse. Is anybody happy anymore?"

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What things are most important to you now? Why?
Beth: "I'm working on Chris' health and my health. I want to see the grandbabies grow up. I need to kick the cigarettes. Some days, everything hurts. I really want to lose a few pounds."

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What do you do for fun?
Beth: "I like riding the bike (Motorcycle) with Chris down 680 in the summer. We like going to Johnstown with friends too."

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What's the highest honor or award you've ever received?
Beth: "Being a parent to good people. That's the only achievement I can think of."

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If you could travel into the future, would rather see something that specifically relates to you, or something that relates to the future of the country in general? Why?
Beth: "I'd go into the future to see what this country has become after this presidency, this virus and all the crazy **** that's been happening. I'd like to be prepared- hell, move to another country if it's in the cards."

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What was most important to your parents?
Beth: "Getting the bills paid. Stressing over the bills and money and how there was never enough of it to them."

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What makes you proud of your children?
Beth: "I raised good people and they raised good children. That's my biggest accomplishment and you can't ask for more than that."

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What was the first big purchase you made with your spouse?
Beth: "Oh it definitely was our first house. It was a big fixer upper. It was something that was ours though, and that's what made me cherish it so much. Your first house is always a big deal."

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What's the most memorable family vacation you took?
Beth: "It was definitely to Columbus, Ohio to see my brother open up an ice-skating rink. We brought our black labs with us and everyone was together for once. That was the last vacation that my Nana was a part of. It wasn't a long vacation, but it was a happy time when everyone got along. I think that's what sticks out to me."

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How did your family earn money?
Beth: "My dad was a diamond salesman. He traveled a whole lot and didn't come home very often. My mom stayed at home, but sometimes she painted advertisements for the Kaufmann's where the Macy's is now. She never sold any of her personal paintings."

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Did you have any pets?
Beth: "We had three Chihuahuas. All named lady after one died. Lady One, Lady Two, Lady Three. They were nasty, yippy dogs."

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Can you describe the neighborhood you grew up in?
Beth: "It was a quiet neighborhood in the suburbs. The neighbors all knew one another and we looked out for each other. We had no trouble. Kids played into supper time and no one worried about a damn thing."