Outlook in our eighties?

Yes, and especially on this forum.

ROMILO

Congratulations and well done to all those over 80's whose brains and bodies are still 40ish. Now and again please spare a thought for those of us who despite a healthy lifestyle have brains still 40ish but bodies no longer fit for purpose.

Does anyone else think that many people are very quick to take offense at anything and everything these days

My well-being depends very much on how much sleep I have had. That varies enormously.

Im 81 and have mobility issues so I dont go out too often as I dont drive. I have arthritis in both knees, hips and back. However it doesnt stop me working. I do private tutoring and run an antiques business from home.

Today I have not so much energy. Mind you I have had two busy non-stop days so I guess my body is saying “rest” - so much to my annoyance I have not been able to do what I planned in the new garden I am constructing.

Still enjoyed my reading sat in the garden and the sun🌞.

ROMILO

MOnica
I wasn't accusing anyone of gloating nor was I specifically referring to your post just feeling a bit sad that I wasn't in the fit and able group anymore. Maybe a bit of self pity on my part.

I think all of us have times when we feel sorry for ourselves, some with more reason than others,

ROMILO

Congratulations and well done to all those over 80's whose brains and bodies are still 40ish. Now and again please spare a thought for those of us who despite a healthy lifestyle have brains still 40ish but bodies no longer fit for purpose.

I know I'm blessed by good physical health.

I have new knees and that is also a blessing.

My brain is becoming less fit, I do forget things.

We all age differently.

Ive been diagnosed as Coeliac which is a bit of a ...
as most of the gluten free food seems to be loaded with sugar..

There is a lot more choice now than years ago. Of course, it's essential to read the label but I'm not sure that GF foods are more sugar-loaded than other processed foods.
Are you able to cook from scratch?

MOnica
I wasn't accusing anyone of gloating nor was I specifically referring to your post just feeling a bit sad that I wasn't in the fit and able group anymore. Maybe a bit of self pity on my part.

I'm 82 and amazed that I'm still alive.Up to the age of 80 I was fighting fit with no complications from 72 years of Diabetes type 1.Suddenly I was diagnosed withCKD and then severe heart disease with pacemaker.
I'm still relatively active ,living alone and hoping for a few more years yet.Ive been diagnosed as Coeliac which is a bit of a ...
as most of the gluten free food seems to be loaded with sugar..

ROMILO

Congratulations and well done to all those over 80's whose brains and bodies are still 40ish. Now and again please spare a thought for those of us who despite a healthy lifestyle have brains still 40ish but bodies no longer fit for purpose.

The mind is willing but the flesh is weak.
It's painful to walk now but I try to do other activities.

It helps to wake each day and say "Well, I'm still here!" 🙂

ROMILO

Congratulations and well done to all those over 80's whose brains and bodies are still 40ish. Now and again please spare a thought for those of us who despite a healthy lifestyle have brains still 40ish but bodies no longer fit for purpose.

I live with someone like that.

There has been no gloating on this thread. Just people describing the 'as is'. It does not follow because I have been fortunate in my genetic inheritance and life that I do not think of those who have been less fortunate.

Two of my dearest friends, both younger than me, have died after periods of ill health, other friends, also younger than me, are also in much poorer health. DH has severe heart problems.

Those of us with continuing good health do not live in a bubble, isolated from the rest of the world. We know we are fortunate, but it is a GN trope, that nobody should ever mention anything good in their lives without having it dissed by others.

Congratulations and well done to all those over 80's whose brains and bodies are still 40ish. Now and again please spare a thought for those of us who despite a healthy lifestyle have brains still 40ish but bodies no longer fit for purpose.

To be fair, I would feel a fraud as I am perfectly capable of walking. But someone to handle all the hassle would be good.

Ashcombe

*Cabbie21*: If I undertake a journey by rail on my own, I book Passenger Assistance which works really well. Help is provided to assist with boarding or changing trains with lovely staff to meet you and carry luggage.

Passengers can do the same in airports; a member of staff brings a wheelchair (whether or not you need one) and whizzes you and your travel companion past all the queues.

crazyH

Thanks all.
Norah - you walk several miles daily ? Wow wow wow !!!

Terriers

crazyH

Thanks all.
Norah - you walk several miles daily ? Wow wow wow !!!

Norah is not the only one, I think she and I are the same age. I still walk miles and on Saturday was helping DD collect and then move into her garden 17 random paving slabs, all large and heavy. After this visit to GN I will be going upstairs to continue the decorating I am doing.

Thanks all.
Norah - you walk several miles daily ? Wow wow wow !!!

Cabbie21 Do you make plans, or just live from day to day?

I'm not one to plan, no bucket list.

I'm over 80, I push myself to walk several miles daily, stay active, eat well. I refuse being unable to unload groceries, decorate, garden, travel.

CrazyH: "I am still confused about Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Old Age Senility. My darling mother had the last one, I think. She was forgetful"

We all experience our bodies ageing and that includes our brain cells. Dementia however is a progressive condition caused by specific brain cell damage- some treatments can help manage symptoms. Dementia predominantly affects people over 65 (if younger described as early onset D) and the risk of occurrence doubles every 5 years. High blood pressure, smoking, obesity and inactivity increases the risk of D- these are things that can be managed separately to reduce risk factors and help prevent vascular dementia.

I in 14 people over 65 approximately will develop D in UK. women are more commonly affected than men- largely because they live longer! Senility- is just a loose term to describe progressive cognitive decline - not much used in health care now- as the focus is diagnosis of Dementia- its type and stage so the relevant treatments- where available- can be started.

There are various types e.g
1) Alzheimer's Disease- the most common involving protein build up in the brain cells
2) Vascular dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain
3) Lewy body Dementia- characterised by abnormal protein deposits
4) Frontotemporal dementia- affects brain lobes associated with personality and behaviour
5) Mixed dementia - a combination of 2 or more types

The progressive (usually over years) nature of D is key. Early stage signs might be subtle memory and thinking issues- followed by increased confusion, difficulty with every day tasks and needing prompts. Late stage requires full time care with loss of most cognitive skills. If diagnosed at early stage there are now some medications that can slow the progression.

Currently there is no known cure for Dementia but D research is thought to be entering a transformative era- moving from managing symptoms to developing disease-modifying therapies DMT- with many trials currently making significant break throughs. Most significant is the approval and clinical application of mononuclear therapies that target amyloid (protein) plaques in the brain to prevent build up.

Meant to say I cared for my H who had Alzheimer’s for over 10 years until he died when I was 81.
That did take a mental and physical toll but I did get over that.

I am not sure how to respond to those who say they will not reach 80. Is it because they are a short lived family, is it because they have a progressive disease, or is it because death is imminent?

None of us can be sure how long we will live. My sister never expected to die at 45. But we can make the most of the life we have. There are those over 80 who would prefer not to have lived so long. All we can do is say that ualty and uantity do not necessarily go together.

At 88 I am slowing down, no real problems, just taking longer to do things and to get over things.
I had a really bad cold in December and a chest infection two weeks ago and recovery is taking longer than it used to.
However I am still 40ish in my head and generally enjoying life.
Long living families on both side apart from my Father who died at 49.
His mother and sisters all lived into 80/90s and my mother reached 101 and her siblings again reached late 80s and one early 90s .
I come from good stock.

True, pretty harrowing, draining and isolating for loved ones caring for that person in a safe place, though.

It’s a vicious form of disease and the sooner new treatments come on stream, the better.

Graunty7

The positive thing about dementia I’ve realised is you don’t know you’ve got it and if you are in a nice safe place it can be managed.

Exactly how I feel.