An Aging Coach?
Whaaat?
I’m aging just fine by myself, thank you.
I had no idea that I needed an Aging Coach. Did
you?
But just think
of all the famous game coaches who have helped refine athletic talents. Coach
Madden, Bobby Bowden, Nick Saban, Sparky Anderson, Andrew Bailey, Phil Jackson and
the never to be forgotten, Ted Lasso. (Just
kidding about Lasso.)
Yes, there
are football coaches, baseball coaches, swim coaches, soccer coaches and just
about any kind of coach you can think of, and yet now there’s a new coach in
town. An Aging Coach. A man or woman who
guides senior plus citizens and helps them (us) identify and achieve our aging
needs and goals. (If we have or need goals)
Transitions
can be difficult - especially the transitions we encounter as we age. How many
times have you looked in the mirror, screamed and shouted, “Yikes! Who is that
person?”
And talk
about challenges! We older-but-better people have challenges we never dreamed
of having. Let’s face it, help is always appreciated.
Thinking
that this new Aging Coach occupation might be another career for me, (I am very
old with 80 plus years of experience and I have the chin hairs to prove it.) I have researched the qualifications to
become an Aging Coach. And here’s what I found.
There are
none.
An Aging
Coach is not required to have earned a certificate stating his or her
qualifications and there are no regulations to meet. However, if you are truly
dedicated to becoming an Aging Coach you’ll find several online courses and
advanced education courses that can be yours, usually for under a thousand
dollars. If you earn a certificate through one of these courses, you at least have
something, a professional appearing piece of paper to frame. (Or you could
computer create one.)
Your goal
as an Aging Coach will be to offer guidance on the path to longevity and
support a sense of well-being. If you wish, you can charge for your aging
expertise…whatever price you believe is fair. There is no set price. And it
could be a part-time job.
Additionally,
you won’t require the overhead of an office. If you have a computer, and know
how to use it, you’re in business!
There are
similarities in aging that all of us encounter for instance - our parts give
out, need a hip replacement? Another opinion and always appreciated - help
finding the right surgeon for cosmetic surgery, especially those professionals specializing
in lifts for face, butt and boobs.
An Aging
Coach can help deal with hearing loss or the dimming of eyesight. You as coach
may even help with those coming to grips entering a slower life pace (this can
be especially challenging for former Type A personalities.)
The most
difficult part of aging might be loss…losing lifelong friends, family and loved
ones. In these cases an Aging Coach is the person to call, the one who will listen,
understand and care.
Come to
think of it, an Aging Coach just may be another name for Dear Friend.
