Everyone grows old eventually, but do we really understand what old age can be like, with common problems such as arthritis, and loss of memory, sight or hearing? Gloucester Citizen reporter David Byers took part in an Instant Ageing session and began to feel old before his time…

When I’m suffering from a particularly nasty hangover, I often think I feel closer to 84 years old than 24.

But yesterday I had my very own insight into what it was like to be elderly – and I realised I simply didn’t have a clue what old age can really feel like.

At a bi-monthly Instant Ageing session for NHS staff at Delancey Hospital in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, I was given my first-ever insight into the practical barriers many older people face every day.

First, I was given a pair of rubber gloves and had my thumbs taped down, making gripping very difficult.

This gave me an idea of the type of movement problems and joint stiffness confronting some older people.

It was agonising. Suddenly, I found it almost impossible to do the simplest of things, like taking coins out of a wallet or buttoning my shirt.

But that was only the beginning of my torment.

I was then given a pair of dirty glasses showing me what the effects of cataract, tunnel vision and other visual impairments would be like – and I even had my legs tied together and popcorn placed in my shoes to simulate the problems of arthritis.

Now I could hardly walk, see where I was going, or grip onto anything.

When trying to walk up the hospital stairs I had to grip the bannister and constantly felt I was going to fall over.

I felt like an idiot. It was tremendously frustrating. Yet this is the type of frustration felt by many older people every day.

“Days like these are vital for care staff because they deal with older people each and every day in their profession,” said event organiser Clare Waite.

“Getting an glimpse of how difficult their lives are, is something few of us have a chance to do, but it’s extremely important for those of us in this profession.”

Co-organiser Lynne McEwan said: “You found it difficult, when under these extreme restrictions, to carry out activities you’d normally take for granted.

“But many older people face restrictions on their movement, or their sight, every day.”

After having had yesterday’s experience, I now have a different perspective of some of the practical difficulties the elderly have to contend with.

So next time I’m standing in a supermarket queue and waiting impatiently as a pensioner struggles to get loose change out of his wallet, I hope I’ll be more patient.

All of us grow old eventually. One day, we too may face the same day-to-day problems as that pensioner at the front of the queue.

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