Wisdom on ageing – the most exquisite chapter

As we close the month dedicated to celebrating older persons, we pause to reflect on a piece of wisdom left behind by the late British actress, Dame Patricia Routledge, who passed away in October 2025 at the age of 95.

In a note written just weeks before her milestone birthday, she reflected on the richness of her later years – a time of peace, gratitude, and quiet joy.

“Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter – if you let yourself bloom again,” she said.

Self confidence comes with age

In her younger years, the actress admitted that she was often filled with worry … worry that she wasn’t quite good enough, and that she wouldn’t live up to her mother’s hopes. Even in her 40s she often felt adrift, as though she was searching for a home within herself that she hadn’t quite found.

It wasn’t until her 60s that she began to truly accept herself as she was. She began learning Italian so she could sing opera in its native language. She learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. She read poetry aloud to herself each evening to quiet her soul. At 80 she took up watercolour painting, and at 95 she learned to bake rye bread.

“You don’t need to be famous,” she wrote. “You don’t need to be flawless. You only need to show up – fully – for the life that is still yours.

Her words capture something we at Tafta witness every day – the beauty of rediscovery and peacefulness that comes with ageing. Far from being a period of decline, the later years can be filled with growth, purpose, creativity, and connection.

Life is a Circus — and our older years are the greatest show

Once again Tafta was proud to partner with Jane Linley-Thomas on an uplifting project entitled Life is a Circus. Much like Dame Patricia’s reflections, the campaign celebrated the vibrancy and colour of ageing – reminding us that life remains full of wonder, surprise, and opportunity, no matter how many candles are on your cake.

Our residents stepped into imaginative circus personas for a series of striking portraits – from ringmasters to jugglers to tightrope walkers – each representing the beautiful unpredictability of life. Beyond the fun and laughter, this project offered our elders something deeply meaningful: a renewed sense of confidence, joy, and belonging.

As Tafta CEO Femada Shamam reflected:

“Our residents fully embraced the concept of life as a circus – understanding that life is filled with moments of wonder and surprise that are unique at every turn. Projects like this empower our elders to see their lives as living works of art … stories to be enjoyed, remembered, and shared.”

Rediscovering purpose and joy

Just like Patricia Routledge learning Italian at 60 or taking up watercolour painting at 80, many older adults continue to find new passions later in life. We’ve seen Tafta residents achieve incredible things – mastering digital skills, volunteering in their communities, mentoring younger generations, and taking part in creative workshops that nurture body and mind.

These experiences reflect the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, which encourages social inclusion, skills development and lifelong learning. Through initiatives like Life is a Circus, we proudly play our part in that global movement – showing the world that older people are not defined by their years, but by their spirit.

Treasure the years ahead

At Tafta, we believe that the later years are not the closing act – they are a chance to “bloom again.” Every day brings the opportunity to laugh, learn, and love in new ways.

To all our elders, and to those who support and celebrate them, we say: let these years be your treasure years. Keep showing up fully for the life that is still yours – with love, with gentleness, and with joy.