Seniors
In reply to the discussion: Anyone else dealing with issues of aging + frailty? [View all]No Vested Interest
(5,250 posts)In our fifties, with kids pretty well independent, spouse and I enjoyed walking. - Belonged to Volksmarch and did them locally and in various parts of the country, even Hawaii. Loved it - you see the world from a different perspective when walking than what you see while riding. We also enjoyed a local walking club that had Sunday walks in various parts of our beautiful city; those walks were about 5k.
Spouse retired early with a good buyout and I followed two yrs later, following the death of a close friend, run down while crossing a busy street. We were still young enough to be active - volunteered in various special events and as ushers at touring Broadway plays. Took cruises and vacations, and I began working on health, diet and fitness. Also took noncredit classes and a few Elderhostel courses. Spouse began to exhibit signs of depressive illness- bad enough that he would take to his bed, not eat or care for himself. Meds didn't help and he had to go to assisted living until his brain righted itself after several months. This routine repeated itself a number of times, but when he was feeling well, we traveled and enjoyed life fairly well.
During that time, my knees had gone bad and replacements were in order, but before that could happen, the heart needed stents, eventually two procedures and five stents total. Meantime, spouse's situation worsened, complicated by a broken hip which didn't mend well and affected his mobility, as the leg attached to the broken hip shortened and a cane, later a walker were required. We were in our late sixties.
Spouse was diagnosed with a brain disorder that affected his personality and demeanor and following hip surgery never recovered enough to come home permanently. I spent most dinner times and evenings with him at the nursing facility. Spouse died after six yrs. in nursing care.
Now widowed, my knees went bad and I won't consider redo surgery. I sometimes use his cane, and eyes will be needing cataract surgery, likely this fall. I'm still in a one-floor house, which works well, though I have no need for the yard. I don't volunteer much any more, except for one club I've been in for 50+ yrs. I don'' accomplish much most days, but don't beat myself up over it. My mission in life is offering support to my children (no grandkids), and try to not be a burden to them.
So that's aging for me. Memory good in some areas, but not with names. DU is good for me - helps me get my thoughts in order and expressed in a concise, sensible manner. I can't complain. Life is mostly good, and I just move past the rest. (Sorry this went too long.)
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