Ah dear - why does getting older equate to diminished brain power?

AskAlice

Just a thought, but the Royal Volunteer Service provides transport services for social clubs, medical appointments, shopping etc. Would that be something that might help? Have a look online to see if it operates in your local area.

We don't have an RVS, but we supposedly have a volunteer drivers scheme that you pay £25 a year to access and then a small charge for every journey. However, they don't have enough drivers - I've been trying to join since March but they're not accepting anyone right now.

here we are again. What is N.W.R?? I would like to know as I’m partially housebound

For one reason or another I spent about a year as a wheelchair user. During that period people would look at me then talk to husband about me. My standard comment would refer to the radio four disability program. Does he take sugar The older gen took up on it and talked to me I also made my point with others

apologies to Sue Donim. I discovered them at my third attempt on Google. probably me, but I will look at them myself. Thankyou for tip

JennyCee
here we are again. What is N.W.R?? I would like to know as I’m partially housebound

It is the National Women’s’ Register
an organisation for like minded women to meet up and discuss topics other than anything domestic. The one I used to belong to often had invited speakers too. Usually they meet in each others homes but looking at their website, they now also have on-line meetings
nwr.org.uk

Ive found over the last few months that my family change their perception of my abilities and age related things when it suits their needs! It annoying. When they dont need anything I'm considered older and less capable but when they need me for anything they conveniently see me as the capable Mother figure again. In actual fact I'm probably both at times. Its not a problem most of the time but it can sometimes make me a little angry.

Not surprised that makes you a little angry.

I can really understand your post ferry23 having helped my next door neighbour, a very intelligent and clued up lady. She was descending the stairs backwards (worried about falling) and slipped, skinning both legs from the knee down. The wounds were superficial, but they just did not heal and she was trussed up in dreadful dressings, bandages and elasticated compression. She was so bothered by this it dominated her life. We managed to find a pain management course offered on line with a support network element and that helped. I just looked it up and it doesnt seem to operate any more, but there are other options out there. We got her signed up for the Library From Home service and she really looked forward to her delivery once a month because the volunteer spent an afternoon with her talking about books. She also accessed courses on line with Future Learn and via the local U3A which has Zoom for some classes. Your encounter with Lucy reminded me of my husbands experience when he smashed his kneecap playing a handball game. He is in his 70s but still working more or less full time, cycles everywhere and plays sport, but he had an NHS phone call where he was advised to remove all the rugs from the house to prevent him having another Fall. He was apopletic and had to rapidly end the call before he said something inappropriate.

Thank you SunnySusie - some good suggestions.

I've come to the conclusion that if you said that on your final descent on Mt. Everest, with your Sherpa hardly visible in the driving snow, you lost your footing and cut your foot. But you managed to dress it yourself with your basic first aid supplies. Made it down to base camp. Did a stop over on the flight home to trek to Machu Picchu and then swum the channel instead of taking the ferry. Someone would say "Aw bless you" and tell you to be careful not to trip over your laptop charger.

I'm happy to be treated as old sometimes, in a recent journey when trains were delayed and I wasn't feeling well, I asked for a seat, a young couple moved their luggage, and made space for me. As regards the suggestions, the words grace and gratitude are forgotten too much by old people. Behave with grace and gratitude when someone makes an effort for you. If you are that well educated, for God,'s sake find things to do. I love the seaside, I love living here and the sea air is magical and it's cooler here. And frankly these art classes are run my volunteers, may be you can contribute something.

Also my husband has had lymphoedema for a long time, at least 20 years, and has had to wear the compression sock. He did a 10 mile walk last week. It's become part of his daily life. He has had septicemia twice, when he had to go to A and E. Make sure you drink lots of water. It always happens in hot weather.

Ferry23. Perhaps you would have a lot to offer the painting group as you are interested in art. Do you regard the participants as having the abilities of three year olds? You may not be interested but you may find that it’s a nice social group to participate in. You may find a friend or an acquaintance whom you could meet for coffee at a later date. How will you ever know if you are not willing to make the first move.

"I'm not sure I needed a Social Prescriber to suggest I could pay someone to take me to the seaside for an ice cream."

Out to lunch with a friend yesterday who now has to use a wheelchair. She described to me the "Does she take sugar?" scenarios she is now encountering sometimes when her husband takes her anywhere, as if now, having to use a wheelchair has rendered her dim witted.

I did go to a couple of NWR meetings with a friend but they met in each others' houses and it seemed quite hard work and rather competitive.

If you could find lifts or ways to get to U3A meetings, they have a variety of meetings covering a wide range of activities.

I've never heard of a social prescriber as there isn't one at our surgery, perhaps that's just as well! Ice creams by the seaside do sound lovely, though. 🍦

Ps if you want sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, sorry, my memory's not what it was. What are they?

I did join a painting group when I retired through ill-health and the expertise varied from novices to those who had taught and sold their paintings. It was a very jolly group.

Let me just recap. At the moment I'm rather housebound. When I'm able to get out I will be able to source things to do and places to go. I haven't asked anyone to find me something to do as I'm quite capable of doing so.

Of course there are lots of people who wear compression garments and have no problem with them. However there are lots of people who can't tolerate compression and this is a recognised medical fact. I have read a lot of research around this and discussed it with various clinicians. I'm afraid telling me that a person you know wears compression garments and doesn't have a problem with them is not going to miraculously make me like compression.

I appreciate people making sensible suggestions. What I don't appreciate is being treated like a complete dimwit with the likes and dislikes of a 3 year old.

Luckygirl3

Lathyrus3

Yes well, you’re almost certainly in the too 5% of the country’s try intelligence wise, so I expect she doesn’t come across many like you😬

I’m a bit confined in activity these days so I quite like to research things I know very little about.

In Kindle unlimited yesterday there was a book where the author has walked the route taken by the coffin of Eleanor of Castile - wife of Edward 1- . It’s historical but also about the authors experiences at each stopping place and the crosses erected there.

I’m really enjoying it so far and getting to Geddington or Charing Cross to see one is a little target I’ve set myself.

I know it doesn’t solve the social problem 🙂

Eleanor of Aquitaine lived in a castle near here and there is a landmark known as Eleanor's Chimney.

That’s a different Eleanor

I know what you mean Ferry23 but if anyone young patronises me I try to remember I was their age once and most of us when young didn’t really see how different older people are in their needs or expectations.
Am with you on the compression as I can’t bear having hypertension checks😬