We've been visiting long term friends and are finding that many of them that may be five or so years younger than us have lost much more physical capability than we have.
We can still do physical work, though we tire much more quickly.
I read with interest the comments about old clothes we thought would 'see us out' not fitting when we got older and we're still here. I have an analogous problem. Now in my semi-dotage and having just finished a couple of artistic/craft projects I'm pondering whether to buy replacement paints and materials for the next one. Question: will there be one ... or even two?
I read with interest the comments about old clothes we thought would 'see us out' not fitting when we got older and we're still here. I have an analogous problem. Now in my semi-dotage and having just finished a couple of artistic/craft projects I'm pondering whether to buy replacement paints and materials for the next one. Question: will there be one ... or even two?
DIY actuarial studies - I first attempted this when starting to worry about my pension. It's an integration problem with an unknown upper bound :-)
(I would probably stock up for the next one, with a beneficiary in mind for any leftovers. Primary schools can be welcome recipients for that kind of thing, and I've found ways of giving things to my daughters' old school(s) as a way to get around my worry about waste / hoarding insticts.)
This week I had to change out a toilet seat. The area I was working in was very cramped. This 77-year-old never wants to do that again. If there is a next time, I am calling a plumber.
I always looked forward to the faire. For the first time I decided that the walking in the heat was not worth the effort, the rides no longer hold an interest, and the food makes me feel bad. So I am staying home.
I always looked forward to the faire. For the first time I decided that the walking in the heat was not worth the effort, the rides no longer hold an interest, and the food makes me feel bad. So I am staying home.
This week I had to change out a toilet seat. The area I was working in was very cramped. This 77-year-old never wants to do that again. If there is a next time, I am calling a plumber.
Some years ago friends arranged to have a Smart Meter installed. The man arrived with his equipment and the meter and was shown to the understairs cupboard containing the gas and electricity meters. Alas the installer was typically Welsh, that’s to say well built, and he couldn’t gain access for fear of getting stuck.
It was a month before the meter was installed.
We renewed our passports this year. I can't see us doing it again.
My Dad just renewed one at 84. I don't think (that is to say, I rather hope) he won't need it for going abroad, but it was recently extremely useful for ID purposes.
Mine expired during Covid. I didn’t renew it then, and I’m not sure I will bother now. Though now that the digital ID project is cancelled, maybe I should. It might outlive my driving licence.
The government sends you a 'Life Certificate' form politely enquiring whether or not you are dead, in order to continue or cancel your pension. Unlike a birth or death certificate which, understandably, you usually have to get someone else to sign, this is something I can still sign with a reasonable degree of confidence, but no; I have to put up with a concerned-looking friend saying, "I'll have to think about that". As of this moment his life expectancy is less than mine.
I sort of get the opposite to this - two of my nephews are just some 13-15 years younger than me. When we first met and I was 25, that was a huge gap. Now, oddly, they seem to have caught up. It is odd to think that they must be 50.
In most of my children’s households I find the lounge chairs and settees are too low and too soft. As I’m not as strong and balanced as I used to be, it’s a tricky thing getting up. Sitting down is a controlled drop.
As for the floor, I avoid that at all costs.
There are various parts of my body that I should exercise regularly, but one I do keep up is the "sit to stand".
I have a horror of having to be hauled out of my seat, or worse, off the toilet.
Besides which, I think that Mr RoS no longer has the strength to get me up onto my feet.
My gran was like that. She used to go to the Over 60s club, and she always used to go and get the teas for the ladies on her table. She was a sprightly 80 year old - the other ladies were all in their 60s, but had terrible problems with their legs.
And it's scary to realise that I'm officially an old lady now! I'm about to move into an almshouse, and you have to be over 60 to qualify.
I'm the chaplain at a large almshouse charity - they are great places! Hope your move goes well.
You know you've made it when, presented with a new medication, and wanting to know how much to take, you bypass the instructions for 'adults' and go straight to 'children and elderly'.
When your partner starts talking about a stairlift ... and you live in a bungalow.
We've moved house within the past year and when we first saw this one the estate agent observed that the good-sized downstairs cloakroom could be easily converted to a wet room. There are three bath/shower rooms upstairs so she clearly thought we looked as though we wouldn't be managing stairs for too much longer...
I try hard to maintain being able to get off sofas and chairs without having to push myself up with my hands and being able to get up off the floor without too much effort. I get down on the floor a lot to play with our granddaughter and while I am not exactly dignified in getting up I can, so far, still do it.
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We can still do physical work, though we tire much more quickly.
All four of mine are in their 40s and if I think about that for too long I feel positively ancient!
My body is falling apart, totally, but not because I am old. That is just because it is wearing out from use. Really, just normal.
DIY actuarial studies - I first attempted this when starting to worry about my pension. It's an integration problem with an unknown upper bound :-)
(I would probably stock up for the next one, with a beneficiary in mind for any leftovers. Primary schools can be welcome recipients for that kind of thing, and I've found ways of giving things to my daughters' old school(s) as a way to get around my worry about waste / hoarding insticts.)
Watch a good movie instead.
I h
Some years ago friends arranged to have a Smart Meter installed. The man arrived with his equipment and the meter and was shown to the understairs cupboard containing the gas and electricity meters. Alas the installer was typically Welsh, that’s to say well built, and he couldn’t gain access for fear of getting stuck.
It was a month before the meter was installed.
My Dad just renewed one at 84. I don't think (that is to say, I rather hope) he won't need it for going abroad, but it was recently extremely useful for ID purposes.
I will always think of him as a cheeky little boy who isn't old enough for such things.
I also find it difficult to get up from a standard chair. I recently purchased a counter-height dining room table with bar-height chairs. Much easier.
You know you're getting old when you ask your doctor for a referral and he sends you to an undertaker.
As for the floor, I avoid that at all costs.
I have a horror of having to be hauled out of my seat, or worse, off the toilet.
Besides which, I think that Mr RoS no longer has the strength to get me up onto my feet.
I'm the chaplain at a large almshouse charity - they are great places! Hope your move goes well.
This seems to be a fashion thing - we really struggled to find sofas with decent height seats and backs without paying silly money.
Excellent! Apologies for not paying due attention to the timing.
I write comments on SoF and later wish I hadn't posted them.
Me too! Sometimes I do it when I want to reply, then realise I need think more deeply about how to express myself clearly.
I put it down to my aging brain.
And you realise they mean for the front door step....
Hey, that's me, and I am 55!
That’s been me for most of my adult life
I try hard to maintain being able to get off sofas and chairs without having to push myself up with my hands and being able to get up off the floor without too much effort. I get down on the floor a lot to play with our granddaughter and while I am not exactly dignified in getting up I can, so far, still do it.
The pop musicians too.
When you realise that Bohemian Rhapsody is from half a century ago.