Who just wants to talk about their daily lives and concerns. No politics etc

rbtvgo

rbtvgo

Member
Location
Absecon, new jersey
We all get the news. We all worry about what we hear.. We all worry about the major events in the world. But...........how does that effect us. I live here or there, gas is XX a gallon. Food prices are going up. I am frustrated! Reply and we can try to combine minds and find someway to help one another. May seem silly but I don't think so. Have to start somewhere. bob
 
Only way I can think of for seniors to help each other is to share housing and rides (whether sharing an Uber/Lyft/taxi or someone who can still safely drive and all pitch in for gas). As to buying groceries and other necessities, maybe seniors could all pitch in to get a Costco/SamClub/discount store membership and share the large sizes you have to buy there. As to gas/petrol, medical needs, prescriptions, home utility (electric, gas, cable, phone, etc.) costs, those are the kind of costs that's going to take a lot more to come down than individuals helping each other.
 
I'm concerned about increasing prices, but my biggest concern these days is home maintenance. We love our home and want to stay here, plus our property taxes are frozen as home values increase. However, there are so many costs associated with keeping up with a 30 year-old house. I made most of the improvements (new AC units, new water heaters, new windows, etc.) when I was working, so that's behind us for a few years.

I posted a few weeks ago about finding raccoons in our attic, which was over a $20k fix considering the company had to seal the attic, take out the old insulation (which had raccoon poop and pee), blow in new insulation and have a handyman fix the structural damage the raccoons had made. :(

Our next door neighbor just had a new roof installed and the foreman told me I have roof damage. Not surprising, since we've been through a few hail storms since we've lived here. So a new roof is in order in 2027. I got an estimate for painting last year, and it was so high compared to previous years I just put it off. Home maintenance has gone through the roof (no pun intended).

We don't spend beyond our means. We take the annual trip and go to a few plays and movies, but our house is becoming a "money pit".

Outside of my "bubble", I'm very concerned about people who are barely making ends meet these days and the millions of people who can no longer afford health insurance.
 
The only answer I can think of is the home warrentee programs that are available. Various programs. Plumbing. electrical, sewer etc. Name your poison, to be humorous. As with any type of insurance or protection program. It is a gamble. Pay monthly and never need is the first thought. Then you need and you have nothing to fall back on I terms of warrantee protection. We are all in the same boat. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
 
I am in Texas near to @seadoug, so I too am blessed that property tax have been frozen for us seniors. I had a person out to address a minor roof issue, $800. I am getting bids on trimming the trees. Taking out one large black walnut, removing most of the shrubs both front and back, trimming and thinning a very large oak and pecan.

First estimate is $4000.00 which I do not consider bad for all I want done. Figure it is best to get rid of what I can't maintain. Two more estimates tomorrow.

Had the roofer guy because I had water leaking in a hallway after a couple of rain storms. I determined the leak was from the AC so still have to deal with that. Went ahead with new flashing, sealing on the roof just in case. At least the guy said I have a stellar job on the roof last time it was replaced in 2017 after hail damage.

It is still cheaper for me to stay in a paid off home than sell for something smaller or apartment living. With property taxes, insurance, costs me about 600 a month. Yes, things come up that have to be done but when I spread out the expense over many years. I am still better off here than elsewhere.

I guess the one thing is finding a group of friends or neighbors that would help out when needed. Like help to doctors, before and after procedures, groceries, cooking etc. So many of us are alone and need help once in a while. It seems when we are young, so many friends and family, now that we are older, that circle diminished.
 
seadoug said:
I'm concerned about increasing prices, but my biggest concern these days is home maintenance. We love our home and want to stay here, plus our property taxes are frozen as home values increase. However, there are so many costs associated with keeping up with a 30 year-old house. I made most of the improvements (new AC units, new water heaters, new windows, etc.) when I was working, so that's behind us for a few years.

I posted a few weeks ago about finding raccoons in our attic, which was over a $20k fix considering the company had to seal the attic, take out the old insulation (which had raccoon poop and pee), blow in new insulation and have a handyman fix the structural damage the raccoons had made. :(

Our next door neighbor just had a new roof installed and the foreman told me I have roof damage. Not surprising, since we've been through a few hail storms since we've lived here. So a new roof is in order in 2027. I got an estimate for painting last year, and it was so high compared to previous years I just put it off. Home maintenance has gone through the roof (no pun intended).

We don't spend beyond our means. We take the annual trip and go to a few plays and movies, but our house is becoming a "money pit".

Outside of my "bubble", I'm very concerned about people who are barely making ends meet these days and the millions of people who can no longer afford health insurance.
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Last year several roofers stopped by trying to get my business. Then one said he thought he could get my insurance to pay for it. Well it worked and I got a new roof. Someone else might have an idea how that works.
 
Well, Bob, thank you for this opportunity. I think the world of advertising needs an overhaul.
Instead of grinding on and on with their incessant bs, why can't they just flash on the screen: "This program is brought to you by XX Co., maker of blah blah?" in ten words or less and then go soak their heads while we enjoy the program.

​

 
rbtvgo said:
We all get the news. We all worry about what we hear.. We all worry about the major events in the world. But...........how does that effect us. I live here or there, gas is XX a gallon. Food prices are going up. I am frustrated! Reply and we can try to combine minds and find someway to help one another. May seem silly but I don't think so. Have to start somewhere. bob
gruntlabor said:
Well, Bob, thank you for this opportunity. I think the world of advertising needs an overhaul.
Instead of grinding on and on with their incessant bs, why can't they just flash on the screen: "This program is brought to you by XX Co., maker of blah blah?" in ten words or less and then go soak their heads while we enjoy the program.

​

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This doesn't require a reply other then what I just said
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In this Senior Forum we all relate how we feel, what concerns us. What we feel and think. Those who have been around for a long time, I am sure, know the others who respond. In my brief time here I have met a lot of people and have become familiar with some. So to me this forum is a place to go and catch up. See what xxxx has to say. Look at the responses, etc.
Check in at home, so to speak.
Don't agree with everyone, which is okay. Respond to some and leave others alone. I guess there is a familiarity in this site that you can't find on. say, facebook.
I like it here.
wish you all well
bob
 
officerripley said:
I worry about the fact that my husband is showing signs of what may be dementia and with us never having had children, I'll be all on my own caring for him. Being an alpha male, it's always been challenging and now with this, my life is really going to be hard but I don't know a darn thing I can do about it.
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Take a deep breath. Calm down and deal with one day at a time. Deal with one day at a time.
bob
 
DW and I are doing fine now (even with slowing down, being more tired, some aches and pains). We are concerned that we just don't know how long we will remain mobile, 'reasonably' healthy, and possess our cognition. To that end, we're looking to sell the house and go into an apartment making life easier.
 
officerripley said:
I worry about the fact that my husband is showing signs of what may be dementia and with us never having had children, I'll be all on my own caring for him. Being an alpha male, it's always been challenging and now with this, my life is really going to be hard but I don't know a darn thing I can do about it.
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My Mother got dementia (and I worry about getting it too!) ... I am so sorry you will face this alone. I'm glad you have all your SF friends here to chat with and hopefully help just a bit - even if it's just saying, I know what you are going thru. šŸ™
 
retiredtraveler said:
To that end, we're looking to sell the house and go into an apartment making life easier.
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That's what I wish I'd been able to convince my huzz to do. Now if he really is going into dementia--and I could too at any time of course--and now that I now longer drive and who knows how much longer he'll be able to drive (probably not much longer if he does have dementia), here we are stuck out in the boonies in a great big old place; not good and only going to get worse.

I've seen it happen over and over with elderly--some in my own family--waiting too long to deal with this; a couple right on our street last year in fact. They waited too long, and finally sold the house for next to nothing since the place was falling down around their ears, essentially. Which means that they weren't able to move into one of the better skilled nursing facilities; they had to settle for what they could afford.
 
rbtvgo said:
Take a deep breath. Calm down and deal with one day at a time. Deal with one day at a time.
bob
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Thanks. After trying everything to calm down, though, I've come to the conclusion that the only thing that would calm me down is if I get dementia myself or shuffle off this mortal coil. (Sometimes I wish alcohol or marijuana helped but they don't.) I've been at least worried (on good days) and out-and-out afraid on bad days as far back as I can remember. (Born into a very disfunctional family--"Oh, no, what's Daddy furious about NOW?!"--so being worried is just my life and now I can see it always will be.)
 
officerripley said:
being worried is just my life and now I can see it always will be.)
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I should've added, just about every elderly person I've known very well--all 4 parents, 3 grandparents, and some others--were worried and depressed in their final years, so why should it be different for me? I'm a member of a large club, I think. (It does help a little to complain, though, ha.)
 
Hey Ripley,
You can always talk to us.i know thereā€™s not a lot we can physically do but you can at least unload your worries and concerns.

We also donā€™t have children. We have my husbands sister who cares for us. Sheā€™s 9 years younger than me and has assured us thatā€™s sheā€™s watching over us. Luckily her and my husband are very close.

This week we got a quote on shingling our new roof and it came to $26,000. Luckily we are getting some money from doing our taxes. We had some emergency money saved up in case we really needed it so we will be using some of it.

Iā€™m glad weā€™ve been frugal in our living arrangements. We have lots of canned goods. Every couple of weeks we bake bread and rolls. We feel well prepared for the change we all will have to go through. Hopefully we can all help each other out.
 
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officerripley said:
I worry about the fact that my husband is showing signs of what may be dementia and with us never having had children, I'll be all on my own caring for him. Being an alpha male, it's always been challenging and now with this, my life is really going to be hard but I don't know a darn thing I can do about it.
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:) What worked for me was to Ignore all distractions. Priority 1. Keep him calm and happy at all costs so that you can remain calm and planning ahead. Priority 2. Get through your chores and push ahead with your plans one by one. Priority 3. Everybody goes to bed early.
EDIT:
Calm and steady in the pursuit of your goals
 
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PeppermintPatty said:
We have my husbands sister who cares for us. Sheā€™s 9 years younger than me and has assured us thatā€™s sheā€™s watching over us. Luckily her mom and my husband are very close.
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You're very lucky to have her. Huzz and I both have some nieces and nephews but they are all up to their elbows caring for their elderly parents and grown kids who are having issues and job troubles, etc.

One of my stepmothers had a lady friend who was always so bubbly and in a good mood and one day I went walking into the living room where she and my stepmother were talking and the friend looked up at me with the saddest look on her face and said, "Don't ever get old. Just don't." And I never saw her again but I've never forgotten her saying that.
 
@officerripley, if your husband really is developing dementia, one of the first things you need to do is make certain your legal affairs are clear so you could take over if needed; i.e. are you his power of attorney. Talk to a lawyer.

The reason Iā€™m not saying for him to be evaluated first is that anything he signs might not be accepted if heā€™s not declared competent. This is a worse case scenario. Aging is scary.
 
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