Outlook in our eighties?

Over lunch today with friends we were talking about the cost of travel and car insurance rising once you hit 80.

Do you take out travel insurance for UK only trips? I do, as I have already booked three, paid for one and will have to pay for two more next month. It’s not just cancellation costs, but if anything goes wrong, especially when you are a single traveller in a group.

I like the idea of “use it or lose, but know your limits”.

I make plans but I don’t get married to them. Recently I was supposed to go visit my son and his family. My body said otherwise. I was disappointed, but the alternative of risking a dire health incident in the air was decidedly less attractive than missing the trip. Life goes on

Cabbie21

Well I know threads can take some odd turns but this beats them all.

Perhaps the cats are 80! 🐱🐱

SueDonim

I subscribe to use it or lose it for most things. To be fair, I’ve never been able to lift massively heavy items, so hefting paving slabs would never have been on my agenda, I just don’t have the build/stamina for it. Mind you, if my cat gets any fatter I’ll be needing a hoist for her! She eats exactly the same as her brother but he’s like a racing snake.

I think things like using stairs instead of lifts are all part of keeping ourselves going, those little parts of living that contribute to our overall condition.

I can't lift massive pavers either. I never could. My ability to walk, use the stairs, garden, and do what matters to me hasn't changed - yet.

Well I know threads can take some odd turns but this beats them all.

I haven’t been able to fathom that out, Allira. The ridiculous thing is, she’s such a fussy eater! She often walks away from her food (Hills Science Diet) and leaves it uneaten. I’ve wasted loads of money on trying her on different products. The only thing she’ll eat without a to-do is tinned tuna, but the human stuff isn’t good for cats so that’s not an answer.

She’s clearly not fading away, so I’m not too worried! 😂

Animals are just like people aren’t they?😄

Oh! Does she eat her brother's food before he can get to it?

They’re indoor cats so no Six Dinner Sids! Next door’s cat - now that is a different story. Everyone knows him for miles around and he supplements his diet with mice. He’s so fat now he can hardly scramble over the fence!

teabagwoman

Allira

Either use it or lose it

I was using it but have lost it again this week.

Sometimes using it can result in disaster too.

Using it may reduce the chance of losing it but it doesn’t work for all of us. When it comes to to pushing yourself wisdom is knowing when to stop.

Yes! Exactly, know your limits.You don’t want to do your back in.

I used to have a cat that was a six dinner Sid, unbeknownst to me, he did the rounds with the neighbours , got fatter and fatter but stopped eating much at home.
I thought he had a tapeworm! Taken to the vet but all ok just pronounced overweight. One day saw him with a neighbour, she was cuddling him in the garden then took him indoors.
All became clear.😺

teabagwoman

*Allira*, I haven’t achieved wisdom yet either.

I had all my wisdom teeth out years ago, teabagwoman

There is no hope.

Allira, I haven’t achieved wisdom yet either.

SueDonim

I subscribe to use it or lose it for most things. To be fair, I’ve never been able to lift massively heavy items, so hefting paving slabs would never have been on my agenda, I just don’t have the build/stamina for it. Mind you, if my cat gets any fatter I’ll be needing a hoist for her! She eats exactly the same as her brother but he’s like a racing snake.

I think things like using stairs instead of lifts are all part of keeping ourselves going, those little parts of living that contribute to our overall condition.

My MIL always said climbing the stairs helped her keep fit.
She wasn't fit but refused to have her bedroom downstairs.

Do you think someone else is feeding your cat? They can be so persuasive! Six Dinner Sid. Or Sydney in her case.

teabagwoman

Allira

Either use it or lose it

I was using it but have lost it again this week.

Sometimes using it can result in disaster too.

Using it may reduce the chance of losing it but it doesn’t work for all of us. When it comes to to pushing yourself wisdom is knowing when to stop.

If I knew what I'd done I'd stop doing it!!

I subscribe to use it or lose it for most things. To be fair, I’ve never been able to lift massively heavy items, so hefting paving slabs would never have been on my agenda, I just don’t have the build/stamina for it. Mind you, if my cat gets any fatter I’ll be needing a hoist for her! She eats exactly the same as her brother but he’s like a racing snake.

I think things like using stairs instead of lifts are all part of keeping ourselves going, those little parts of living that contribute to our overall condition.

Allira

^Either use it or lose it^

I was using it but have lost it again this week.

Sometimes using it can result in disaster too.

Using it may reduce the chance of losing it but it doesn’t work for all of us. When it comes to to pushing yourself wisdom is knowing when to stop.

Either use it or lose it

I was using it but have lost it again this week.

Sometimes using it can result in disaster too.

M0nica But I think one needs to push oneself as much as one can as we get older. Either use it or lose it, which we cannot stop happening, sooner or later, but where possible it can be delayed a bit.

Agreed.

I've always pushed myself. Rewards are worth the efforts.

I still ski, because I enjoy skiing. I won't quit whilst I can still work out the pass conundrum, carry my skis, and ski with our GC.

And we have Terriers, a push if there ever was one.

SueDonim

Can you really carry 70kilo paving slabs, Monica? That’s how much the ones we have laid weighed - I didn’t dare collect them in my car because of the weight!

No, the really heavy ones I left to DD. She had bought 17 random, and I really mean random, different thicknesses, sizes shapes on ebay. We got roped in because she could not get them all in her car, but we have a big old estate car. so we shared them between two cars and drove home, probably less than 2 miles, very gently. The uickest way into her back garden was through the house as, although she has back access, we couldn't get the car near it.

Actually the one thing that knackers me is lifting really heavy items, which, of course these were. I can potter around all day decorating, or in the garden, so Saturday night I couldn't sleep my hips were aching so much and I felt uite delicate for a couple of days afterwards and skipped my Tai Chi this week.

But I think one needs to push oneself as much as one can as we get older. Either use it or lose it, which we cannot stop happening, sooner or later, but where possible it can be delayed a bit.

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 can assure you I do. That’s why I was a befriender through Age UK for some years.

When I started this thread I was wondering to what extent I should consider my age when making plans.

On one level, I live each day as if I am immortal.
On another level, I think long and hard about anything that involves my safety, especially travel.
Sometimes I think I am being realistic and sensible, sometimes I am over cautious. I rarely throw caution to the winds, but that’s the way I have always been, nothing to do with age.

Can you really carry 70kilo paving slabs, Monica? That’s how much the ones we have laid weighed - I didn’t dare collect them in my car because of the weight!

Oreo

People in their 80’s vary just as much as any other age groups don’t they?

Yes.
I'm only 11 when I wake up in the morning then realise how ancient I am when I get out of bed. 😁

Others of my age apparently bound out of bed and run a marathon before breakfast.

People in their 80’s vary just as much as any other age groups don’t they?