Embracing Life by photographer Caroline Brady documents the lives of four octogenarians, two of whom are Dubliners. The idea? To show what life is really like when you get to your 80s in the twenty-first century.
Today, 10 percent of Ireland’s population is over the age of 65. By 2041, this number is expected to increase to 25 percent. Despite that, ageism is all around.
When should we retire? What role do the elderly play in society? What do the words “elderly” and “retirement” even mean? Those are just a few of the questions that Brady hoped to explore.
“My father died when I was eleven and I was the man in the house. I can remember what I had for dinner that day.” — Sean Whelan
“When you get to my age, you are more aware of survival.” — Michael O Riordan
“I thought I would never live again when my husband died.” — Jennie Mc Givney
“I was very sad when I couldn’t read the Sunday paper because my sight had deteriorated so badly.” — Bridie Lewis