“Will you still love me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?”

Do you recognize these lyrics? If so you are “old” – a relative term to be sure. The lyrics come from the Beatles. A couple of stanzas are:

“When I get older losing my hair, Many years from now. Will you still be sending me a valentine, Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?

You’ll be older too, And if you say the word, I could stay with you.

Give me your answer, fill in a form, Mine for evermore, Will you still need me, will you still feed me, When I’m sixty-four?”

In my practice I see people of all ages, from kids through the elderly. All are special as they view their respective world and what lies ahead. In many cases there are significant others involved who can make a substantial impact on the direction of these lives. Each person is going through a particular developmental stage. Each person has issues to be dealt with and needs to be met.

This song, and this article, focus on those living the last fourth of their lives, however long those years may be. This age group often has health and wealth issues. The members of this age group often become more dependent than they were in their younger years.

To have a loving partner during these Senior years is definitely desirable. Do you, Respected Reader, have a partner that you are assured of having ad aeternum – to the living end? If you do count your blessings and do all you can to keep that person close to your heart. If you currently do not have that special person in your life, you may want to contemplate ways to find one. On the other hand, are you the person who is willing to be there for your partner doing whatever is needed?

Every day I am inspired when I think of, or see, certain individuals in our community, male and female, who offer committed every day loving care to a partner who is ailing or on the road to death. Thank you for your inspiration. You are one who lives by the motto “just do the next right thing”.

In some cases perhaps you may need to make some changes in the way you treat your significant other to raise the probability that s/he will hang around with you for the duration. Others of you may need to make changes to attract such a desired partner. If you are a person who is wondering “will you still need me, will you still feed me”, do what you need to do to have that wonderful assurance that your partner means the words “til death does us part.”

No one wants to end up like Eleanor Rigby or Father McKenzie (I guess you figured it out that I’m a big Beatles fan) – “lonely people.” Yet, such is the lot of many. May it not be you!

 

Dr. Stathas can be reached at 706-473-1780; e-mail: Stathas@plantationcable.net; web site: DrStathas.googlepages.com; blog: drstathas.com.