Old Enough

With kids being on the younger end of the swimming age spectrum, let’s take a look at the patrons who fall on the opposite side—senior citizens. From talking your ear off with stories from their heydays to complaining about 86 degree water being too cold, older swimmers make up a unique group, which most lifeguards will likely interact with at least once while on the job.

Though it can often be anywhere from annoying to frustrating dealing with the elderly, always keep one thing in mind: Respect your elders! As a lifeguard, you should always remain respectful of all swimmers, but especially with the older ones. Make an extra effort to answer any of their questions and help them with anything you can.

Senior citizens can sometimes have special aquatic needs you will need to cater to. For example, the pool I work out now has a wheelchair lift, which is used to get several elderly and handicapped swimmers into and out of the water. Also, be aware of potential health risks older people may have and make sure you know how to respond in case of an emergency.

My experience with senior citizens has overall been very positive. I feel like they always made a special effort to get to know me and ask questions about my life. It can really make your job more enjoyable when you become well acquainted with the swimmers you’re watching over and you never know what kind of unexpected friendships you may end up with—even if your knew friends are old enough to be your grandparents!

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