Saturday 12 October 2013

Flu Jabs and The Golden Years



Shropshire Star - Flu Campaign
The Surgery waiting room looks different; normally,  people sit on upright benches around three sides, with two carvers along the third wall, easy to get out of for the arthritic amongst us.  Today, the toy table and baby chairs have been moved from the centre of the room and extra chairs, carvers and dining chairs, have been lined up in two rows instead. It looks like a makeshift cinema or lecture room, or maybe a charabanc outing.

When we arrive at just before two pm, the room is almost empty. The receptionist giggles at us :”read the leaflet and roll up your sleeves.” It’s flu jab day and we have come for our annual vaccination against the debilitating winter bug. It’s free for oldies and the chronically sick. We qualify on both counts. I’ve brought my IPhone to read Mark Haddon’s ‘The Red House ‘while we wait for one of the nurses; it’s a brilliantly claustrophobic novel. Haddon’s forte is drawing children and young adults, his adult characters are slightly bloodless; all suffer existential angst in their own way.

I don’t get very far, the room fills and the chairs are taken. Everybody knows everybody else. Greetings are called, chairs moved, news exchanged. Nobody is sick, all are here for ’the jab’. Somebody complains that they haven’t seen me for ages. “We often see J. but we never see you; how are you?” The atmosphere becomes that of a social club. Nurses come and call people by first names, two by two, into the treatment rooms.  There is banter and laughter.

“Do you realise that they’ve booked the Ramblers’ Christmas lunch for the same day as the Senior Citizens’ lunch?” The voice is excited and concerned that they might miss a social occasion. It’s hard to believe that everybody here is over 60 and therefore officially ‘old’. Luckily, like so much in life, ‘old’ is relative. Some weeks the Ramblers walk for ten miles over difficult terrain, in all weathers. Boomers, bolstered by pensions, holding on to savings and brandishing freedom passes, cluttering up surgeries for free treatments, in possession of ample free time and adequate health and fitness, all of them owning their house, this is a generation which has it all. No wonder the hard-pressed young cry ‘robbers and thieves’.

Old age pensioners are a new demographic, a group which is getting steadily larger. We swallow up scarce resources, creating problems for national expenditure. The average life expectancy is around 80 in places such as Valleys’ End; I know plenty of 90 year olds too. Scrolling back 2000 years, life expectancy was 25, in Roman times you might get to 40 and the medieval peasant who survived into adulthood didn’t get much farther than that. Now ’50 is the new 40’ and as 60 years olds we do not consider ourselves old, if we think about it at all.

We’ve all been told to sit and wait five minutes after the jab, to make sure we’re okay to walk home. Hardly anybody does. We are perfectly capable to decide such matters for ourselves. Self-assured? Bone-headed? Full of vim and vigour and joie de vivre? Of course we are.





35 comments:

  1. Yes , quite agree, I look a lot older than I feel and I don't care a jot

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  2. I got my flu jab a few weeks ago. I also was jabbed for pneumonia since it had been a number of years since I'd had that shot. Most likely it had been at least 17 years ago. I get a flu shot every year. At least I stay healthy when it comes to the flu.

    I find your commentary on the national medicine that you have interesting. As you know, we have the great debate here over such things.

    I also loved reading your commentary on the boomers or those of us who might be just a bit older than boomers. Those of us who are pensioners. There is great resentment here for those of us who have our State retirement pension. Both my husband and I were teachers/educators, so we have an excellent retirement that many resent. I am grateful for it. I do worry how things will be when the younger generation get to our age.

    Great post.

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  3. Haven't got mine yet. I am planning on changing doctors...so being lazy about it all. Last year we could not get the flu shot for some reason. I do think pensioners spend money as well, don't they? Don't they property taxes and school taxes? They eat in restaurants. They make a contribution to the economy in some way.

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  4. I haven't had a flu shot for a few years. Perhaps I need to this year. Perhaps. And I loved reading about the cameraderie as people waited.

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  5. It sounds as if your surgery pulls out all the stops! moving the baby chairs indeed.....! :)

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  6. What would you like me to do? Commit suicide to ease the perceived burden on the young?

    I worked, I paid my contributions, I bought nothing on 'tick' after my first house and I opposed the sheer wickedness of policies which have resulted in the current social and economic bankruptcy.

    Mother was only ill - very ill - in the year that she agreed to have a 'flu jab. Since then she has refused them and is as right as a trivet.

    No need for guilt about the joie de vivre!

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  7. I agree with your post, we seniors are swallowing up a huge amount of benefits, and I am concerned for the young people, our children. This aging population (and in the USA Medicare, Social Security) take up ever more of the tax revenues and we now owe trillions of dollars. Tis scandalous. What can be done?

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  8. my shot 2 weeks ago
    taking them for years
    sure do not need to be sick
    with bones healing from fall...
    alway learn from you..

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  9. you know i got the jab one time in the middle of the winter by a campfire...i had avoided getting it so the nurse waited til it was good and cold out...made me take off my shirt and take it ....mean lady...ha....

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  10. I'm getting my flu shot soon, but I am not going to be one of those well of pensioners that you mention in your post. I will be turning over every penny before I spend it. Not all of us have done so well in life that we can retire and rest on our laurels easily. I wish it were different, but alas. No, I don't feel old. I feel like a sprightly young thing, but I do have my aches and pains to consider. And the memory is getting a bit worse.

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  11. I enjoyed your description of the social gathering that is flu-shot day at Valley's End. We will get our flu shots at the pharmacy where we get our meds, but right now I have a cold. It started in my chest, "progressed" to my head, and is back in my chest again today. Last time I had something like this was when we cruised the Rhine and Danube. I didn't get ashore very often on that cruise. Still, I waited and waited before seeing the doctor, because I knew he'd prescribe an antibiotic. I don't like taking those very often because I don't want to build up an immunity. So I'm doing the same thing now, doctoring myself and hoping not to need more antibiotic, and at the same time hoping it goes away so I can get my flu shot.
    As a 60-something, I know plenty of people who are 80+ and am hoping I can get there, too. I'll be very pleased if you do, also.
    Luv, K

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  12. It is that time of the year again, isn't it? I get the flu shot every year but I always dread it. Not because the shot but the lines are horrendous. It usually takes an hour or more. Why? Because of all the "old people"! Oh, well. It is time well spent to keep a healthy home.

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  13. Friko, there's so much more opened up in this post for us to talk about soon. So far I've not gotten a flu shot this year, and didn't get one last year either. As I recall, I did have flu shots in the immediately prior two years.

    Haven't had flu this century, and don't think I had it often in the last century either.

    Am I overdue? xo

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  14. Of course we are. And damn proud of it, too. I, for one, am glad that "50 is the new 40"; it means I don't have to be 50 yet...
    Glad you're well.

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  15. Gosh! A flu shot! I didn't have one for this year's winter here in Oz and have got off relatively well apart from a recent virus infection.Your post has made me think!! I am about to travel forth to the UK in a few weeks and will be there just as winter formally begins. Perhaps I should talk to my doctor....

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  16. You paint a nice cheerful picture of ageing. I interviewed many people over 60 for my new book Spirited Ageing and found they had really positive attitudes too.

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  17. I got the flu shot once and I got so sick from the reaction, that I ended up in hospital for a week. "Never again" There are thousands of people who have a similar reaction. I do not know what is being pumped into my system and of course we all know that the "Flu Shot", does not prevent you from getting the flu. Most of society today exist on junk food and as no real nutrition enters younger bodies they would be the first to be sick. Us oldies have taken great pain and labour to have houses and incomes - don't be jealous young ones - get a job and work like your grandparents did. We did not have iphones and electronic games galore and travel to Venice for a school holiday. Kids are just "given" so much today, that when they graduate from school and off to College and graduate then they see the real world and nobody is passing them "free stuff". I remember the old rule, "wash your hands" "wash your hands" "wash your hands"......and get a job. Lots going on in your "Flu Shot Waiting Room". Also, in our lovely country of Canada, you are taxed to death, right up to and including your funeral. Great post Friko

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  18. I just love how you are told to wait and just go! I do that, too! With my lung issues, I'd no sooner think of getting through a winter without a flu shot than going to the moon!

    It's different, I guess, when you are in the town and everyone knows everyone versus being in a city where everyone goes to their own doc and usually you don't know the others in the room. Although I see lots more seniors there than kids, that's for sure! Although our political system is totally screwed up over here right now, they are really making an effort to get the young ones to sign up for the affordable health care act -- because if they don't, it won't be so affordable, given the stats of how many of us are boomers and beyond...

    I'll tell you the two things I love most in this post -- the determination, perseverance and "well, I can walk 10 miles" attitude -- and the fact that in this town everyone knows everyone and even getting a flu shot is a social occasion!

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  19. They offer the flu shot for free where I work but I have never gotten it. I probably need to do that :)

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  20. ja het is toch mooi dat het er is.

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  21. Hm.
    But if I don't get the shot, and DO get the flu, that would mean some guiltless days home from work, wouldn't it?

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  22. Hi dear Friko, I hope the shots help you both and you get spared! My physician offered me a vaccination to prevent pneumonia a month ago, and I did not take it. I have no idea how this fell on me, but I just was a week in hospital with high fever and infection of the lungs - I should have taken her advice! (I am at home and almost fine now.) I wish you well! :-)

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  23. I won't get the flu shot. heard too many stories of people getting the flu after the shot. And I haven't had the flu since I was a young adult. perhaps if I was susceptible to it I might feel differently.

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  24. Am a Boomer who subsisted for art and faith and knowing experience, did not amass a Jr. Fortune. Was too busy changing improvements in society, protest in Viet and subsequent wars, warning my whole life about climate change, championing the stigmatized, feeding the homeless. President Obama, Gay Rights, a more mixed society are my investments paying off! As a rookie senior of six OH! I appreciate a roof,food, friends, mate, pets.......thanks for letting me vent. Yes. I had my Jab. Do you Shingles Vaccine?

    Aloha :-)

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  25. We 'seniors' must be cognizant of the younger sort who ante up the funds for our freebies. Also good to make sure everyone gets a flu shot. I think its a public health issue. Here we can get the jabs anywhere, including our local pharmacy. Its on the agenda this week for sure. Dianne

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  26. All so true. But I'll take our times over Roman times, even if I do have to take a "jab." (Love the term.)

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  27. ! I wouldn't have you any other way. I adore the scene here, the characters described...

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  28. Brilliant! And you have reminded me to get my jab :-)
    Thanks
    Di
    xoxo

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  29. Hi Friko - so true ... but I don't have one and the thought of a doctors' waiting room full of people appals me - could catch anything there - old age by the sound of it!!!!! My mother refused the flu jab - much to the horror of the staff ... and I concurred for us both!

    Demographics are a little troubling aren't they - someone offered me a seat on the bus in London - I was already on it .. but this person and two elderly gentlemen had gone passed and I signalled they might need the seat - they did!

    Do I really look that creaky?! I ask myself - no. I'd rather live a long life as I know so many are doing .. we had a 96 year old at a family lunch yesterday - bright as a button - came down on the train ... granted accompanied - but she could still walk around, looked impeccably dressed ... and still gardened et al in London! Amazing lady.

    60 is I'd say almost the new 40 ... and we do more than the youngsters ... or so it seems!

    Cheers to you both - Hilary

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  30. Bother - meant to add about Mark Haddon - I did so love his The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - and per my last sentence above .. we know more too ... H

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  31. Our doctor has a 'flu jab afternoon for patients every autumn , too . Long lines of pensioners , some extremely creaky , stretching out into the street , despite there being three nurses working as quicly as possible . It always amuses me how all heads swivel when anyone who seems to be under fifty joins the queue .
    There's almost a "What are they doing here ?" to their inspection .Then they nod at each other and hiss , "Must have something Life Threatenig .... "

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  32. I can just picture my Mum in such a crowd! She'll be 70 next year and is more active than many a 40-year-old.

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  33. I've stayed away from flu jabs for years, wondering if the procedure actually works, or are we just happier knowing we've taken action to prevent the bug from casting us to our beds. I've heard stats around 30% success rate, but really, what source is reliable? So I'll take a chance on one more year without it...I suspect the socializing is more "preventative" than the shot itself!

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  34. I have always refused flu jabs, because i knew several people who became very ill after the shot ! So far I have always managed to get over winter without.

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  35. It's done quite differently over the border in Wales, at least in our health centre. We're given exact appointment times only a very few minutes apart and the whole thing goes like clockwork with hardly any waiting (none for me this year).

    Interestingly, I spent some time back in my days of being a vicar, reading through the burial registers for the small country parishes in my care. Back in the 19th century there was huge loss of life among young children from infectious disease, but beyond childhood a good proportion of people lived to a ripe old age, once the dangers of pregnancy and childbirth and accidents at work were past.

    My attitude to the idea that somehow I'm a burden on the young is the same as Fly's. DH and I worked hard, scrimped and saved and never went into debt other than for the mortgage. If we couldn't afford something we did without, which was the way we'd been brought up. Why on earth should I feel guilty about now enjoying the fruit of my hard work and thrift?

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