A word from the wise: Northland elderly's advice to younger generation

Jane Mander Rest Home resident George Roberts said to "Practice having plenty of kids." Photo / Tania Whyte

As we farewell one trying year, and take tentative steps into what could well be another, Jodi Bryant asked a group of Northland's older residents what advice they have for the younger generation after a lifetime of experience.

When it comes to dishing out advice to the younger generation, our valued veterans have plenty and it involves loving your mother and practising making babies.

Whangārei rest home residents were asked what their one piece of advice would be to the younger generation with Cairnfield House activities co-ordinator Julie Smith saying the residents were very enthusiastic about the activity.

"There was no hesitation on their part on giving advice to the younger generation."

Cairnfield House's John Moorey said: "Behave yourself. Good luck."

John Moorey's advice was: "Behave yourself." Then he must've decided that could be hard for some so he added a: "Good luck."

Dorris Smith said: "Behave yourself. Be home before 10pm."

Dorris Smith also thought it was important for the younger generation to behave and threw a strict curfew in with: "Be home before 10pm."

Russell said to love your mother and remember who you are and where you come from.

Elaine Fergusson advises to get a job and respect others.

Russell Matthews said: "Love your mother. Remember who you are and where you come from." And Elaine Fergusson replied: "Get a job. Respect others."

Api Theodore said: "Listen with your ears, not your mouth!!"

Liz Brown's advice was for the younger generation to respect their elders and learn about the damage of smoking.

Api Theodore advised to: "Listen with your ear, not your mouth!" and Liz Brown said: "Respect their elders. Learn about the damage of smoking."

Cairnfield House's Jan Beddows' advice was: "Read the bible. Help your parents."

Dorry Willemen simply said: "Be kind to each other."

While Jan Beddows' advice was to: "Read the bible. Help your parents," Dorry Willemen simply said: "Be kind to each other."

Over at Jane Mander resides 88-year-old George Roberts who is quite the character. His advice: "Practise having plenty of kids." When asked about his answer, he chuckled: "I couldn't tell you, I forgot what to do."

Jane Mander Rest Home resident George Roberts said to "Practice having plenty of kids." Photo / Tania Whyte

Diversional therapist Amy Fowler carried out the activity with residents at both Mountain View Rest Home and Kamo Home and Village and said she was often asked why she wanted them to answer the question.

"I replied that I thought it was nice for their families and quite a lot liked the idea that their great, great, great-grandchildren could maybe see their picture one day and 'hear' a piece of advice they would want to pass on."

100-year-old Doreen's advice to young people is to "Always keep your worries to yourself and be kind to people."

Agnes, 93, advises not to rush into anything.

Moutain View Rest Home's Justine, 91, said: "Always tell the truth, it's not always easy but you have to."

Their responses included: "Always keep your worries to yourself and be kind to people," from Doreen, aged 100; "Don't rush into anything," from Agnes, 93 and: "Always tell the truth, it's not always easy but you have to," said Justine, 91.

JPG Mountain View Rest Home resident Danny recons the key to a happy life is to listen to country music.

Ninety-seven-year-old Max advises the younger generation to "Be honest, love your mother, work as hard as you can and enjoy it - whatever it may be."

Danny, who's been a musician since age 11, replied: "Country music," while Max, 97, said: "Be honest, love your mother, work as hard as you can and enjoy it – whatever it may be."

Nellie, 90, said she wouldn't want to give advice to the younger generation as they know what they want and what they like.

Ninety-year-old Nellie, however, didn't feel the need to give advice. Her reply was:

"I wouldn't want to give them advice as they know what they want and what they like so let them get on with it."

Jack and Bub Monteith's advice to a long and successful marriage was "Give and Take".

Thelma and Hector's secret to a long and happy marriage is to have mutual interests, friends and luck.

Married couple of 70-plus years Jack and Bub Monteith were asked their secret to a happy marriage and replied in unprompted unison: "Give and take", while over at Kamo Home and Village, Thelma and Hector's advice from their 71-year marriage was "Mutual interests, friends and luck".

Nola, 85, said: "Be trustworthy, respectful, do as you're told and be good."

Fellow Kamo Home and Village resident Nola, 85, offered her advice to the young, which was to be trustworthy, respectful, do as you're told and be good.

Said Fowler: "I personally found it really interesting that trust, being good, and hard work featured so much. Not a single person I asked said a word about money or financial success, yet, as young people, that seems to be the biggest thing we strive for."

In the UK, a residential home carried out the activity to help keep residents entertained during lockdown. Their pearls of wisdom included: "Always be helpful, and merry and bright," from Dottie, and Margaret told youngsters to "Spend all your money, enjoy yourself while you're young, have some cheek and don't be pushed around."

She also told them: "If you're nice to people, more often than not, they will be nice to you."

Coral responded: "Think before you ink, never go to bed without apologising for an argument, turn your back on an argument rather than a thump."

The oldest resident in the home, Rosaleen, 104, also took part and answered: "I admire them for their independence. They're not afraid to try anything. The young people are so much wiser than I was at that age."

And, in contrast to our George's advice about practising having plenty of kids, the UK's Bett advised: "Keep your legs together."