Getting more clumsy these days?

HazyDavey

HazyDavey

Western Exposure
Location
Northern California
I've been noticing as I go into my golden years that my brain is going down the tubes big time ..

The tube of toothpaste in the bathroom needed a good squeeze to get the toothpaste from the bottom of the tube. I put the squeeze on it and the cap flew off sending toothpaste all over the sink. Later that day I closed the refrigerator door on the little veggie door in the fridge that I had forgotten to close. There's more, and I'm ok with all of it as long as I don't set the house on fire or knock over the wife's fish tank.

Have you noticed a upswing in your, "smooth moves?"
 

Yep, clumsiness has overtaken me and I berate myself unmercifully for dropping, spilling and stumbling...
 

For me, it seems to have been a phase that I went through. A couple of years ago, at about 81, I started knocking things over because I didn't raise my arm quite high enough or dropping things because I wasn't maintaining my grip. At the same time, I was doing the "Where did I put my glasses?" thing mentally. Both seem to have gone away now or certainly have become much better.
 
I don't know if I'm getting more clumsy these days, maybe just noticing it more now that I'm old. If you really think about it, at least in my case, there were lots of times over the years when I was younger when I dropped something, misjudged a distance, didn't get my hand away quick enough when closing a door, etc., etc. I think we should stay positive and not exaggerate these things in our minds now, better to learn from our little 'oopsies' and not beat ourselves up over them or dwell on them. Just my humble opinion. :love_heart:
 
I am unable to go a day without thinking OMG I'm 82. That will change next year.

Simple jobs now take twice as long.
 
SeaBreeze said:
I don't know if I'm getting more clumsy these days, maybe just noticing it more now that I'm old. If you really think about it, at least in my case, there were lots of times over the years when I was younger when I dropped something, misjudged a distance, didn't get my hand away quick enough when closing a door, etc., etc. I think we should stay positive and not exaggerate these things in our minds now, better to learn from our little 'oopsies' and not beat ourselves up over them or dwell on them. Just my humble opinion. :love_heart:
Click to expand...

I agree. For instance, I've always experienced the "why did I come into this room?" thing, and I've always been a bit of a klutz, at least in my estimation, and I've NEVER been able to keep up with my car keys. I think that as we get older, we tend to think we're getting senile, when in reality we've always experienced many of these things. Now we just have more time to notice them and fret about them.
 
My balance has been off, too, for awhile now. I need to get myself to use my exercise dvds and play them, yes! Hoping that exercise can help this problem.
 
Ruthanne said:
My balance has been off, too, for awhile now. I need to get myself to use my exercise dvds and play them, yes! Hoping that exercise can help this problem.
Click to expand...

I exercise a lot but my balance hasn't improved. Probably not doing the kind that helps balance. Yoga would do it.
 
:rain:I hate to rain on anybodies parade. You can slow the deterioration somewhat with exercise, but time marches on. Unfortunately; over our bodies.
 
Very forgetful lately. It is very frustrating at times. My balance is a little off at times. When I'm walking, I sometimes rock and roll a little.
Just this morning, my job is to open clubhouse at the campgrounds, I tried to open the door with my car keys. I get totally ticked off when I pull these stupid stunts. :mad:
 
Pappy said:
Very forgetful lately. It is very frustrating at times. My balance is a little off at times. When I'm walking, I sometimes rock and roll a little.
Just this morning, my job is to open clubhouse at the campgrounds, I tried to open the door with my car keys. I get totally ticked off when I pull these stupid stunts. :mad:
Click to expand...

I know how you feel Pappy. I once locked the house door behind me, walked out to the car and then realized I'd left my car & house keys back inside the house. I was lucky that I had my cell phone so I called and asked my brother to come over with his set of the house keys..:-flustered:
 
I'm about to turn 62 and haven't noticed much of a decline in balance or memory. But I'm sure it's coming if I'm lucky enough to live a long life.
 
I think the real benefit of exercise for us older folk is weight bearing. ie... walking, and some weight training. This stresses the bones.. when bones are stressed they grow osteophytes... osteophytes strengthen bones and build them up... hopefully preventing osteoporosis and fractures.
 
Not only what you said I think QS, but also strengthening those muscles is going to help you stay upright. So between weight training of some sort and yoga, I think one would be less likely to go for the dreaded nose dive resulting in the dreaded broken hip!
 
"Balance" is primarily a function of the inner ear. If a person is experiencing any issues with balance, or showing signs of "dizziness", it might be a good idea to get a thorough ear exam. My wife had these issues a few months ago, including symptoms of Vertigo. The doctor found a hard crusty buildup in the inner ear canal which was keeping the little "rocks" in there from moving freely, and when she bent her head down, etc., she would almost fall over. The doctor prescribed some gentle ear drops which melted the buildup, and allowed it to be flushed out. Now, everything is back to normal. Also, when showering, etc., it is important to make sure that any soap is rinsed out of the ear completely. The doctor said the buildup was probably a combination of ear wax, and dried out soap crystals.
 
Debby said:
Not only what you said I think QS, but also strengthening those muscles is going to help you stay upright. So between weight training of some sort and yoga, I think one would be less likely to go for the dreaded nose dive resulting in the dreaded broken hip!
Click to expand...

Those tendons and ligaments tugging on your bones from moving your muscles.. strengthens bones.. The stronger the muscle.. the harder the tug the stronger the bone.
 
Yes I also agree that we put too much down to 'old age'. I have always had a very bad memory. As a 21yr old new first time mum I went shopping with junior all snug in his pram. At the first shop I left him outside then went off and forgot all about him till 3-4 shops later I had that funny feeling you get when you know you have forgotten something - then mad panic as I rushed back to where I had left him and thankfully found him safe and sound.
 
My long term memory is excellent, but instant memory is shot, sometimes. Where I really notice it is at the grocery store. I head for an aisle to get something, and when I get there, I forget what I was looking for. So I wander about the store like that for a while. These are times when I think I'll just stop by to get a few things and didn't write them down. Usually end up without several things I went for. Is this the way it starts? :)
 
It would be hard for me to tell because I have had FMS for 24 yrs and short term memory issues as well as poor sleep are practically synonymous. I forget things and lose things a lot but what I found a long time back was a sense of humor. Some common things I do is when shopping, I will remember I need something and buy it. What I forget is that I've already bought it and once wound up with 20lbs of sugar in my pantry. I've already had 3 boxes of salt. 4 rolls of foil--the list goes on. A list would help but I often forget it! Poor sleep may be the cause for forgetfulness, and as we age, our sleep patterns can change as well as the quality. How about forgetting words or names? That also has been happening for me for years but it was frightening at first. Now that everyone in the family has gotten older, we all have our "senior moments".
 
Carla said:
It would be hard for me to tell because I have had FMS for 24 yrs and short term memory issues as well as poor sleep are practically synonymous. I forget things and lose things a lot but what I found a long time back was a sense of humor. Some common things I do is when shopping, I will remember I need something and buy it. What I forget is that I've already bought it and once wound up with 20lbs of sugar in my pantry. I've already had 3 boxes of salt. 4 rolls of foil--the list goes on. A list would help but I often forget it! Poor sleep may be the cause for forgetfulness, and as we age, our sleep patterns can change as well as the quality. How about forgetting words or names? That also has been happening for me for years but it was frightening at first. Now that everyone in the family has gotten older, we all have our "senior moments".
Click to expand...
I hear ya Carla! Well, at least you are well stocked up, huh? I forget names all the time, too. It takes me seeing a person about 3 times before remembering their name and then I still will say I can't recall your name, what is it? I know that it is hard to lose the memory and it can be scary, too, at times. But you are defininately not alone.
 
Hey, Guys, don't sweat the memory thing. It is because we have acquired such a vast storehouse of valuable knowledge in the computer between our ears that it takes longer to sort through it all.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top