Thank You for Being a Friend- What The Golden Girls Teach us About Getting Old

Summary

The article reflects on the life lessons about aging and friendship as depicted in the iconic 80s TV show "The Golden Girls," advocating for a supportive community in old age.

Abstract

The author of the article expresses a deep appreciation for "The Golden Girls," a show that, despite being from the 80s, offers timeless insights into the realities of growing old. The show portrays a group of older women who live together, facing life's challenges with humor and camaraderie. Through their experiences, the characters demonstrate the importance of a strong support system among peers, particularly when dealing with health crises, financial constraints, and the desire for independence. The article emphasizes the value of friendship and community as essential components for aging well, suggesting that forming pacts for cohabitation in old age could be a practical solution to the challenges of aging alone.

Opinions

The author views "The Golden Girls" as more than just entertainment; it's a source of profound lessons about aging and the need for companionship.
The show's portrayal of the characters' support system is seen as an ideal model for real-life aging situations, highlighting the benefits of shared living arrangements.
The author believes that the show's themes resonate with contemporary issues faced by the elderly, such as the lack of affordable care and the importance of advocacy for the vulnerable.
As a social worker, the author has witnessed the harsh realities of aging without support and suggests that planning for communal living in old age could alleviate some of these challenges.
The article suggests that the societal system for elder care is flawed and that individuals should consider forming agreements with friends or family for mutual support in their later years.
The author personally relates to the show, lacking children and contemplating future care, and finds comfort in the idea of a supportive community akin to that of "The Golden Girls."

Thank You for Being a Friend- What The Golden Girls Teach us About Getting Old

Life Lessons On Getting Old And Surviving

The Golden Girls is the most iconic show from the 80s. It was about a group of older women living together. It showed their ups and downs but also showed the true meaning of friendship. I was born in the 80s, so I was not able to watch Golden Girls at that time when it first started to air on television. However, in my adult years, I have grown to love and appreciate The Golden Girls. I really think that the show has a deeper meaning that will challenge our way of thinking when it comes to aging alone. I want to dive deep and talk about the different lessons I walked away with after watching the iconic show Golden Girls.

So back in college, I decided to purchase the DVD collection Golden Girls. I would watch Golden Girls every day and it would make me laugh. I loved to watch how the roommates Blanch, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia would fight, make up, share life stories, cry, and stick up for one another. The group came together after experiencing different changes in their life that can really happen to anyone at any time. Dorothy was recently divorced, Blanch was a widower, Rose was a widow who relocated to Miami from Minnesota and Sophia was the oldest out of the bunch that was a widower who was previously residing in a nursing home. Together they overcame challenges they faced in the new phase of their life. Personally, I think that they were able to handle those challenges because they were together.

Lessons Learned

I will never forget the episode where Rose experience a heart attack and needed triple bypass surgery. Rose’s daughter Kirsten was so concerned about her mother and felt like her mother should be living with her. Kirsten did not understand her mother’s living arrangement. However, the roommate stuck together and supported the daughter. In fact, Kirsten did not know how she was going to afford the hospital bill but the roommates confirmed that they will help with anything that Rose needed. I thought how cool is that to have such a strong support system from women your age. I know that this is just a tv show but how true is it today where you need a support system in life.

Now the roommates all appeared to be in their 50s so not quite at retirement age. All the roommates except for Blanch would occasionally work part-time jobs. All the women had adult children whom they could live with. However, all the women wanted to live independently of their children. I love how the roommates still dated and lived a vibrant age. In fact, in the end, Dorothy remarries and moves out. It goes to show you in life nothing ever stays the same. However, the rest of the roommates decided to still live together. I would have loved a spinoff show detailing Dorothy's new life with her husband.

Challenges Faced

Now for the not so nice about growing old. There was one episode where Sophia's friend had dementia but her nursing home was not providing good care. The friend had no family to help advocate for her or money. The roommates came together to find the friend a new nursing home and helped pay for it. Let's face reality in today's age so many seniors can use a higher level of care but simply can’t afford it. They don’t have anyone to advocate for them. In another episode, the roommates lost a winning lottery ticket and search for it in a shelter. Sophia runs into a friend from Shady Pine's retirement home who ended up in the shelter. So many stories that can translate into real-life situations for some people.

In my line of work as a Social Worker, I have seen so many things that would make you afraid to get old in this world. I have seen elderly people who live alone with no children but struggle to maintain. I have also seen elderly people with children who still don't support them in a way that is helpful. I have personally talked to colleagues who fear getting old especially if they don't have any children. It makes me ask a very important question about what someone should do if they don’t have any children. I myself don't have any children and unfortunately, don't see any in my future. I would have to rely on my brother's children to help take care of me when it is my turn.

You hear so many stories about people finding it hard to survive on a fixed income. As prices go up, people lose families to death, housing shortages, and food insecurities, what about those who are elderly? How do we fix a system that is broken to where individuals don’t have to worry about getting old in this world. Perhaps Golden Girls was on to something we should consider. Maybe we need to start making pacts with our friends or family to live together when that time arises. The truth of the matter is living with others can help cut costs. I think planning early helps you to be prepared.

Yes, Golden Girls shared many life lessons with us about growing old. But it put a smile on my face to see women growing old together and weathering the storms that life brings together. You feel less alone in a world that can be quite scary when you are vulnerable. I dedicate this story to my loved ones like my father, mother, and aunt who have now passed on but the memory of them lives on in me.