Now That You're Of A Certain Age...Are You More Careful?

OneEyedDiva

OneEyedDiva

SF VIP
Location
New Jersey
Do you do anything differently than you used to? I always make sure to take my phone into the bathroom when I'll be showering...in case I slip in the tub. An online friend recently fell getting out of the tub; luckily her granddaughter was there. Having fallen on the sidewalk a couple of times wearing sneakers no less, I take more care in looking at the condition of the sidewalks and I lift my feet higher when walking. I hold on to railings as I go up and down the steps when before I might not always have done that.
 

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I had to go out to get something from the shed....We only have 3 steps from the house to the backyard....Good thing we have railings....
I almost missed a step....I stopped myself and I was startled....I use to fly down those stairs....I have to be careful at my age....I think I'm
young again....NO I'M NOT!!!!
 

Since the pandemic, I've stopped holding onto handrails and my balance seems to be improving.

I do set the timer on the microwave when I use the stove so I don't forget that I have something cooking. I also use the toaster oven more because it shuts off automatically when the timer goes off.

I only drive during the daylight hours and I stay off of the interstates, toll roads, etc...

I keep my mouth shut when I do something stupid! ;)
 
OneEyedDiva said:
Do you do anything differently than you used to? I always make sure to take my phone into the bathroom when I'll be showering...in case I slip in the tub. An online friend recently fell getting out of the tub; luckily her granddaughter was there. Having fallen on the sidewalk a couple of times wearing sneakers no less, I take more care in looking at the condition of the sidewalks and I lift my feet higher. I hold on to railings as I go up and down the steps when before I might not always have done that.
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I'm the same, Diva. I bring my phone when I shower. I wrap it in a hand towel and put it on the floor next to the tub! I bring my phone when I walk my dog in the woods, too.

I get up more slowly after sleeping since that's the only way I can, LOL. But I can get dressed standing up.
 
I, too, move more slowly and carefully. I have a little arthritis in my left hip/leg, so moving quickly usually gets my attention. Since I do a lot of outdoor work with mowers/trimmers, etc., I also make sure I have some safety glasses on so as to avoid nicking my good glasses. Then, when I am chainsawing, I put on a pair of Kevlar chaps...that saved my leg once a couple of years ago when I slipped and raked the saw against my leg....the chaps immediately seized the saw. Basically, I try to think of what I could mess up, and take steps to hopefully prevent it.
 
Yep. I am more apt to use my cane inside the house, not just outside. I like the idea of having the cell phone near by in the shower.
I use the rails more often, and tend more to walk with my slippers or shoes on, rather than barefoot.
I also work hard to remember to not have a lot of clutter in my way when walking around.
Also, at night, if I get up to use the bathroom, I will turn on the lamp by my bed. It is a touch lamp, so I can put it on dim. Just to have light.
 
Yes. My walks , swims and biking trips aren’t as long as they used to be. I sometimes let my husband drive my car 😱. I no longer do interior camping trips or any camping for that matter. My sleeping bag and lying on the ground days are over. Im much more careful while on skates since I’ve fallen head first too many times. I no longer ride motorcycles 😢 The driving at night thing I’ve never really liked too much but I rarely ever do it now. My eyesight is horrible at night.
 
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More careful, absolutely but I still push a little. If you don't use it you lose it and quick.
One trick I do is stand when I put my pants on, wobbled a few times but never fell and it is easy now. Walking is great at least an hour a day maybe half an hour twice. Of course in this heat 29c this morning by 10:30, inside where it is cool/cooler
 
Oh yes.
I don't go up on the roof anymore, I gave up my Vespa, I take my hiking pole when I go on walks that include any climbing, I take my phone with me, I have find a friend installed on my phone so that my wife and a neighbor can find me, I avoid driving at night if I can, I don't workout anywhere near as hard as I used to.
And this doesn't include the long list of precautions associated with Covid19, and those associated with prostrate cancer.
 
Sadly, I never learn. I guess I forget my age and plow ahead like I had sense. I missed the last step on the stairs, looking at the dog and fell flat on my face. I broke my nose in 2 places and the plastic surgeon congratulated me on how I managed to do the damage so evenly that I did not require surgical repair. Yes, I do watch my step on stairways now and find that when I am walking too fast, I stop before I lose balance and steady myself before continuing. But, that's the extent of it.
 
I used to practically run up and down staircases, but now like many others slow down to avoid a disabling or fatal fall. I have also come to see personal energy as a precious and limited commodity to be rationed out wisely rather than vented freely throughout the day...
 
As others mentioned, I also learned that it's safer to sit for a minute before getting out of bed. 10 years ago, I'd spring out of bed & run up 2 stairs at a time, even with my poor balance. Not any more.
After falling into a closed door while putting pants on last year, I now dress while standing a couple of inches from a bed or wall.
 
Keesha said:
I no longer do interior camping trips or any camping for that matter. My sleeping bag and lying on the ground days are over.
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My wife and I started using an inflatable queen size mattress 15 years ago on our first trip to Burning Man and only camped with a mattress since then. We got a king size inflatable last year and love it. We hope to keep camping for years. I recommend trying one before giving up camping completely.
 
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I carry my phone and piece into the loo, these days. Never know when someone may break into my crib, and I don't want to be caught with my pants down.

I still am up on roofs during some working hours, but I now turn down jobs with steep roofs. My ankles don't like them.

I also have contemplated my own demise, and method thereof, because I refuse to become a drooling, sleeping, semi-vegetable, if my health ever takes a radical turn for the worse. Sad thing is, I used to think this world was such a wonderful place, that I wanted to keep experiencing as much of it as I could, for as long as I could. Now, not so much.......
 
asp3 said:
My wife and I started using an inflatable queen size mattress 15 years ago on our first trip to Burning Man and only camped with a mattress since then. We got a king size inflatable last year and love it. We hope to keep camping for years. I recommend trying one before giving up camping completely.
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Lol! Rough "camping." How many rooms does your tent have?
 
Now That You're Of A Certain Age...Are You More Careful?

Without doubt, yes. Because of all this coronee stuff flying about, I've started wearing my 'Lancelot' suit of amour for protection, and it works well too, though I do get lots of people raising their eyebrows when I go clunking through the supermarket. 😊 ;)
 

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