Kentucky River
The Appalachian Monthly
Vol. IV No. 5
Septem ber, 1978
G r o w i n g O l d in A p p a l a c h i a Actually this could be called simply “Growing Old,” because many feel ings that the elderly have are universal. There are, however, certain differen ces regarding this very na tural process peculiar to Appalachia, and this is what we are here most concerned with. Also, lest some of our readers find affront, we point out that all of us begin growing old on the day of our birth, and the process is continuous in varying de gree for some time. The period of aging that we are talking about is when the physical and mental resources of an individual begin to fail at a faster rate than through middleand even early old-age. It is the time when the so cioeconomic system be gins to reject one as “un derproductive” or even “unproduc tive” in terms of a tangible or mate rial contribution. When this occurs, along with some other sometimes subtle and sometimes very explicit signals, one begins to feel “unim
portant,” “out of step,” or even fall ing behind the mainstream of socie ty as one has known it. That is what we mean by “growing old.” Depending on the degree of in dependence, self-reliance, and indi-
vidualism a person has, typical characteristics for people of Appalachia, this can be a crushing blow to one’s pride. The whole purpose behind Social Se curity and various other assistances for the elderly is that such people have made their contribution to society, now society will “take care” of them in their last years. Such programs, therefore, in cluding those carried out by CAP, must tread very, very lightly to avoid inju ry to that pride. At CAP we do try to avoid such injury to elderly pride, while at the same time working to make those “twilight years” as enjoy able and healthy as possi ble. Would any of us ask any less for ourselves? Af ter all, death and old age, or old age and death, await each and every one of us at some future time. Old people in Appalachia cling as tenaciously to their pride and in dividualism as they do to their hills and their culture. For some, even in the hill-country, growing old means that one must be careful to
JN TH IS IS SU E: P'A Christian Social Call,” p 3 ^‘Boat Trip for Elderly,” p 5
Editorial, p 6 The Great Feud, Part III, p 7
“Cliffview Lodge - Another Begin ning,” p 10
Jack Little
•