Things You Did to Make Seniors Years Better

officerripley said:
I got a lot of stuff myself I'd love to get replaced. 😄 Trouble is, though, a lot of stuff neither Medicare nor our supplemental insurance will pay for, they keep pushing physical therapy instead, sigh.
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At least my eyes were covered just the basic model. Your humor is perfect Thank you....
 

I am eating healthier, walking more (for exercise) and doing what I can to keep my brain from decaying. I read, keep up with life.

For my personal well being I sold my house and moved to a senior apartment building. I know this option is not for everyone, but for me it was a great move. I feel less isolated, having people who are my peers to interact with. Another interesting benefit of this move...many of my new friends here are 10-20 years older than me. I find that listening to, and sharing their life experiences helps me better prepare for my own future
 
officerripley said:
I know, some people just are happier doing physical/outdoorsy/working with animals type things, but like the writer (I think it was either Susan Jacoby or Barbara Ehrenreich) said, she would've told her kids to do the stuff they loved and were happy doing on weekends and on vacations but learn how to endure and make $$ at something not so physical, that it's not fair but that's the way (here in the U.S. anyway) it is unless you won't mind living in your car and eating out of garbage cans in your old age.
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So true, even now will keep trying to work at something...
 

Marie5656 said:
I am eating healthier, walking more (for exercise) and doing what I can to keep my brain from decaying. I read, keep up with life.

For my personal well being I sold my house and moved to a senior apartment building. I know this option is not for everyone, but for me it was a great move. I feel less isolated, having people who are my peers to interact with. Another interesting benefit of this move...many of my new friends here are 10-20 years older than me. I find that listening to, and sharing their life experiences helps me better prepare for my own future
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That is wonderful...
 
Ruth n Jersey said:
That is exactly what happened to my dad. He did very heavy physical labor his whole entire life. In later years he had back and hip problems among many other ailments.
A few years before he died he told me he thought because he did such physical labor he would be in better condition in his retirement years.

On the other hand he loved his job and would have been extremely unhappy stuck behind a desk. These days physical labor isn't quite as hard as it was in my dads day. There are much more helpful tools and equipment to help get the job done eliminating heavy lifting and stress on the body.

I worry about my son who has his own cabinetry business. He can't find help and usually ends up dragging heavy cabinets, entertainment centers etc, up the stairs himself for installation.
When I mention it he admits this is a problem but he wouldn't be happy doing anything else.
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Maybe some younger seniors could lend a hand..
 
StarSong said:
What did people do to make their senior years better? Great topic.

Work: In our late 60s, hubby and I mostly closed our small business five years ago because the physical work was getting to be too much. We got rid of most of that part but retained enough consulting and wholesale work to have part-time, seasonal business.
It's interesting work, keeps up our contacts and provides some income (we're not claiming DH's SS until he turns 70). Win/win/win.

Diet: After watching a couple of movies In February 2014, within a week we moved to a Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) food plan and haven't looked back. My only regret is not having done this decades earlier. Lots of whole wheat, oats, beans, legumes, brown rice, quinoa, potatoes, vegetables, leafy greens and fruit. Almost no processed foods, very little added fats or oils, light on sweets, seeds and nuts.

Weight: With WFPB eating I quickly lost the 20 lbs I'd put on during menopause and then some. Lost another 7 lbs since adding more starches (how's that for counter-intuitive!). My BMI dropped from 26.3 to 21.3 with no changes other than the type of food I was eating. Since going plant based I eat larger portions and more snacks than at any time in my life.

Exercise: As a bow to age, I now intentionally exercise for at least half an hour a day now. Never had a formal exercise plan before.

Health: Had cataract surgery in one eye about 4 years ago. The other eye remains fine. I get an annual checkup including blood work. Triglycerides are high but other numbers are good, including blood glucose. (Big YAY on the glucose because extended family is loaded with diabetes.)

Financial: We paid our house off before semi retirement. As long as we're not foolish and SS continues as promised, we appear to have ample savings to carry us through to the end.

Relationships: I stay in close touch with my children, their spouses, my grands, and my friends, try to avoid unnecessary stress and aggravations (have all but ditched Facebook completely which helps a lot), and have a longstanding happy and extremely calm marriage.

Summary: Life is good right now. Hoping our good health holds out for a long time to come.
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So true, avoiding the news is important which can distort our reality...Facebook not at all helpful
 
Marie5656 said:
I am eating healthier, walking more (for exercise) and doing what I can to keep my brain from decaying. I read, keep up with life.

For my personal well being I sold my house and moved to a senior apartment building. I know this option is not for everyone, but for me it was a great move. I feel less isolated, having people who are my peers to interact with. Another interesting benefit of this move...many of my new friends here are 10-20 years older than me. I find that listening to, and sharing their life experiences helps me better prepare for my own future
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Would love to make that kind of move, I'm sure that would be the right option for me but Huzz is dead set against it, so here we stay.
 
The more i think about it the biggest/best thing i did was decide to return to rural life for my remaining years. Nature (no matter the ecosystem/climate) has always been mood enhancer, restorative thing for me. i now fall asleep to more natural noises (owls, frogs in the irrigation ditch) than man-made ones, tho there are some semi-trucks moving thru the night and if overcast the airplane flight plans are often lower and echo off the mountains more, but neither seems as loud or disruptive as in cities. This kind of environment is crucial for my emotional health. Being able to step out and see stars during the night? Priceless.
 
Marie5656 said:
I had the same issue when Rick was alive. He wanted no part of moving to an apartment. But I am glad I moved.
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My huzz won't even consider moving to another house (and we could likely find a house the same size, maybe even larger) that's got a smaller yard and closer to stores, etc. The great big old yard and his great big old shop are what he loves the most. Oh, and the fact that it was brand new when we moved in here years ago. To quote him: "Well, if I ever were to move out of here--which I won't--but if I were--which I won't--but if I did, it would have to be to something brand new because I grew up poor [he really did; they lived in their car sometimes, in 100 degrees, and his mom was pregnant!] and only ever had old, used stuff so if I moved into a place that wasn't brand new, I'd feel like all the hard work I've done all my life is for nothing and I ended up a loser!" So that's what I'm up against.
 
Bonnie said:
I strongly agree with all of the above.

My old age (I'm 78) tip to share ... for anyone with arthritis in their hands/fingers like me, get a balanced twirling baton like the kids use.
I have two of them, and twirl them between my fingers often. It helps with flexibility ..

not me ..lol
iu
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Really? I used to love twirling a baton back in my school days and in parades and at school games. Never though to doing it at this age. Thanks for the idea!
 
feywon said:
The more i think about it the biggest/best thing i did was decide to return to rural life for my remaining years. Nature (no matter the ecosystem/climate) has always been mood enhancer, restorative thing for me. i now fall asleep to more natural noises (owls, frogs in the irrigation ditch) than man-made ones, tho there are some semi-trucks moving thru the night and if overcast the airplane flight plans are often lower and echo off the mountains more, but neither seems as loud or disruptive as in cities. This kind of environment is crucial for my emotional health. Being able to step out and see stars during the night? Priceless.
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That sounds so wonderful, a cricket decided to find their near here, love it. I grew up on a farm and miss it...

A friend had lone cricket in her place so I played the cricket sounds and he perk up.
So cute

 
@Chris21E

i feed the wild birds, they know and will be out there to remind me. The Red Winged Blackbirds when around (don't stay the winter) will chirp sharply before i feed them, and sing after. Last summer had the great pleasure of a young hawk that would light on things rather close to observe us. i'd talk to him and he'd tilt his head quizzically.
 
Three years ago I moved from my house in the country (and my husband) to an apartment that is in a senior living building. It is downtown and close to everything. So I opted to not own a car. I bought a mobility chair and use that to get around to stores and to the park. My apartment is set up for disabled tenants and that has made me more independent.

I have mobility issues and even use a walker in my apartment pretty much all the time. But I don't feel old. I am busy and learning new things all the time. Life is good for me.
 
Marie5656 said:
I had the same issue when Rick was alive. He wanted no part of moving to an apartment. But I am glad I moved.
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What is it with husbands and apartment living? ...
When I tried to convince my (now late) husband that it would be a great move, he reacted like it was an instant death sentence.
No conversation about it. Period.

And I too am very happy with my apartment living these days. It's an easy and worry free life.
 
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Things done to make senior years better
For Health
1. Retired early @ 54
2. Thought about southwest, low humidity & reducing arthritis as a health issue in later senior years.
3.Bought rancher moved to southwest.
4.Main benefit less chance of falling because of no stairs to go up or down.
5. Secondary benefit of southwest, ability to get outdoors to walk & enjoy a less sedentary life style.
6. Began diet & exercise as daily routine vs. sedentary.
7. Stopped all junk food as a meal. Used to be convenient when working.

Financial
1. Paid cash for home relieving stress of mortgage payments.
2.Considered age progression the rancher would be with stucco exterior & tile roof to eliminate exterior maintenance.
3. Adjusted portfolio as needed to continue increasing retirement income.

Late 70's Body repair
1.PRK (photorefractive keratectomy)
2. Cataract removal
3. Complete rebuild of cervical spine.

At 80 with my head firmly connected to my spine, excellent vision, only med for genetic cholesterol. Things done & still doing translates to. Life is good.
 
Bonnie said:
What is it with husbands and apartment living? ...
When I tried to convince my (now late) husband that it would be a great move, he reacted like it was an instant death sentence.
No conversation about it. Period.

And I too, am very happy with my apartment living these days. It's an easy and worry free life.
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Who knows. I think it is the whole king of the castle thing. Would love to get perspective from the fine gentlemen here
 
katlupe said:
Really? I used to love twirling a baton back in my school days and in parades and at school games. Never though to doing it at this age. Thanks for the idea!
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It's a carryover for me too .... I was with the drum majorettes in high school, and we performed ahead of the marching band at football games, and assorted band events.

Weaving a baton between all your fingers, at any age, can help with control and flexing when your fingers don't want to work together.
 
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Marie5656 said:
Who knows. I think it is the whole king of the castle thing. Would love to get perspective from the fine gentlemen here
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We lived in an apartment once when I was stationed in San Diego. Since getting out of the Navy we've always bought homes.
I am good at DIY so home repair if needed, means home ownership works for us NOW.

BUT my wife & I discussed where she should live if I pre decease her which is most likely. Selling our home & moving to an apartment is the answer.
 
Knight said:
We lived in an apartment once when I was stationed in San Diego. Since getting out of the Navy we've always bought homes.
I am good at DIY so home repair if needed, means home ownership works for us NOW.

BUT my wife & I discussed where she should live if I pre decease her which is most likely. Selling our home & moving to an apartment is the answer.
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I fully understand the DIY husband...

Mine was just that too ... he tackled everything around the house, yard, pool and cars.
part of the 'Can-Do Everything' Generation I guess.
 
Knight said:
We lived in an apartment once when I was stationed in San Diego. Since getting out of the Navy we've always bought homes.
I am good at DIY so home repair if needed, means home ownership works for us NOW.

BUT my wife & I discussed where she should live if I pre decease her which is most likely. Selling our home & moving to an apartment is the answer.
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I've tried discussing that with my huzz but when I try to talk about how much work & stress it would be for me if he's gone to try to sell a house & get into a smaller place, espec. somebody like me with no kids & who doesn't drive much anymore, all I get is, "You'll figure it out."
 
officerripley said:
I've tried discussing that with my huzz but when I try to talk about how much work & stress it would be for me if he's gone to try to sell a house & get into a smaller place, espec. somebody like me with no kids & who doesn't drive much anymore, all I get is, "You'll figure it out."
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I didn't mention keeping a few items for memories sake & selling or donating everything else was part of our conversation. Two of our 3 sons live close enough to help with carrying boxes. Everything else will be bought once she figures out what is needed. Just like planning our retirement planning ahead for what is coming makes living in the present so much easier.
 

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