In a surprisingly large number of cases, an elderly individual can actually benefit from the kinds of physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises which we typically only associate with being effective in younger people. While their bodies may not be quite as limber and strong as they were in years past, older people can still have the same work ethics that have won World Wars and launched human beings into space. Just because their hair turned lighter colors (and possibly fell out entirely) is no reason to discount their attitudes or their work ethics. The previous generations are not slouches in the slightest, when it comes to setting goals and doing what has to be done in order to reach them. In some ways, they can teach us all a lot.

For instance, a lot of people who are elderly have had to deal with diabetes, and its potentially crippling side effects. For those who have lost their eyesight, or even a limb to such an illness, the initial results can be depression and anger at their plight. But as time goes on, a person of any age can adapt to things that even they would not initially expect to be so willing to live with. And with time, even a serious physical handicap can turn into a physical challenge, and even a source of renewed self confidence.

After all, the people who won the wars of our past and pushed through the Civil Rights Movement have not been known to give up quietly when past issues have made life a challenge. So why would they suddenly get to an age that they never even expected to live to, and just throw in the proverbial towel? While it may be popular in our society to mock the people who came before us, we can still learn a lot from how much effort they can put in, when the situation makes doing the work worth their while.