Tag: senior living

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HOORAY! BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC WEIGHT

It doesn’t take a whole lot to make me happy.  I don’t want to be rich and famous.  But I do want to be in control of my weight.  That’s what comes from being a hospital dietitian for so long.  But stepping on the scales after the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns was a downer.  I don’t have unrealistic goals.  What I weighed at 25 and even 55 is not going to happen again.  In fact,  elderly women who are slightly overweight have longer life expectancies.  So who wants to look like Jane Fonda? I’m okay with being at the far end of a normal BMI (body mass index), and have kept my weight about the same for many years—until the end of March , 2021.  But today,  I had to celebrate, just in time for the 4th of July.  Hooray! Back to pre-pandemic weight.

hooray! back to pre-pandemic weight
HOORAY! BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC WEIGHT. Don’t let 4th of July foods ruin your diet.

How did I gain weight last year?  We fixed the same types of food—lots of salads and weight watcher type frozen  dinners.  And we didn’t eat in a restaurant  for over a year.  However,  we did more carry out, which often had a side order of French fries.  Who can resist hot, steamy, fragrant French fries when they’re sitting right in front of you?  But more importantly, I didn’t get nearly as much exercise.  My frequent shopping trips were condensed to once a week.  Daily walks had to be outside, and were often canceled by rain, sleet, snow, and extreme heat.  The lesson to be learned here isn’t new.  If you want to lose  weight, eat less, exercise more.

But the pandemic didn’t affect everyone the same way.  In fact, at groups and gatherings, I’ve noticed that some people  actually lost weight.  I don’t know how they did that, but I’m thinking they didn’t eat out as often, and don’t really like to cook. Or maybe they invested in some type of home exercise machine.  Good for them!  I’m hoping they weren’t depressed, which could have affected their appetite and resulted in weight loss.  But it’s possible.

 I’m happy to be back to pre pandemic weight. However, new challenges are ahead this coming weekend.  Who can resist 4th of July food?  Potato salad, deviled eggs, baked beans…yum!

Happy 4th of July to all!

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WARNING! WALK OUTSIDE MAY BE UNHEALTHY

Walking is considered the number one way to lose weight, postpone aging, and provide  a host of other benefits.  But some days, it  could be hazardous to your health .  As an example, I decided to walk in the park on a Saturday afternoon. The tennis courts were full. A baseball game was taking place.  There were few places left where you could sit on a blanket and enjoy some peace and quiet.    The  roads were lined with parked cars and a constant stream of traffic.   Every shelter was filled with people using the barbecue pits. Consequently, the air was hazy  with smoke.  I found a parking place and set out to walk.  All of a sudden, I felt dizzy and a bit shaky.  My throat burned, and my eyes itched.  Therefore, I turned around and walked back to my car.  I hadn’t even done a mile. Warning! A walk outside may be unhealthy.

Back home that day, I felt a bit disgusted with myself.  Why had I given up on my walk? Was I becoming a wimp?  I picked up my new iPhone, and looked at the weather app.  Scrolling down, I noticed something that had never really interested me before: Air Quality Index.  That day, it was a high 154.  Consequently, this  meant that walking outside  was bad for  almost everyone, but especially sensitive people.   At my age, I guess I fit into that category.  As a result,  walking in the park  had not been a good idea. However,  I could have walked in the mall if I wanted the exercise. .  But who wants to walk inside on a sunny day?

WARNING! WALK OUTSIDE MAY BE UNHEALTHY. i When the air quality index is too high it can cause many respiratory problems.
Warning! Walk outside may be unhealthy if the air is polluted.

Much to my relief, I checked the air quality index today, and it was back down to a good 30. However it’s  raining.  Maybe it will clear up this afternoon.   It’s  depressing to realize that many of my walks during the past few years have actually been bad for my health.  From now on,  I won’t walk in the park until after I’ve checked the air quality.

 Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases suspended in the air. These  can come from car and truck exhaust, factories, dust, pollen, mold spores, volcanoes and wildfires.

Poor air quality may cause the following  health symptoms in sensitive people:

. Headache

. Fatigue

. Shortness of breath

. Sinus congestion

. Coughing

. Sneezing

. Dizziness

.Nausea

 

Be sure to check the air quality index before walking in the park.  You’re not a wimp if you decide to stay inside  that day.

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5 HOME REMEDIES FOR SPRING ARTHRITIS

How do you like this damp, cool spring weather? It’s better than a searing hot day in July, that’s for sure.  Trouble is, it’s hard on those of us with arthritis.  Did you know that 50% of folks over 65  have it?  My husband’s physical therapist said this weather has been really rough on arthritis patients.  We know it won’t last forever, but we’d like to lessen the pain without resorting to extra painkillers.  Over the years, and after numerous therapy sessions, I have come  to rely on these 5  home remedies for spring arthritis.  All are available online, 

  1. Massaging Wrap

You can go online  and find a wrap for almost every part of your body—knees, back, shoulders, whatever.  The one I like was originally designed for knees but it works great on my shoulders, too. It has 3 buttons: massage, heater, timer.  If it gets too hot, you can turn off the heat, and continue with a massage.  If you use it a lot, you have to recharge the battery pretty often, but it’s not a big problem.

2. Cold packs

I like the ones that come with a wrap, and a strap, because you can tie them around your arm, leg, or waist while you read or watch TV.  I don’t use cold packs very often, but some people alternate between heat and cold therapy.  They use the heat to warm up a joint before exercise, and cold therapy to reduce the swelling afterwards.

3. Hot rolling massager

This is a little bit more complicated than the wrap .  It’s a fairly heavy device, and the one I use isn’t battery operated.  It’s plugged  into an electric outlet.  Which means that if I turn the wrong way, it’s apt to become unplugged.  However, it gives a really deep massage, along with a gentle heat—actually much less heat than the massaging wrap.  The first time I used it on my back, I was amazed how many sore spots I wasn’t even aware of.  It’s really versatile.  Can be used on shoulders, neck, back or knees.  Just about anywhere you feel joint pain. It’s timed for 20 minutes, which is about as much as you can take because it gives you a pretty hard massage.  But I guarantee you will sleep better that ni

  1. Tens Unit. (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is used for nerve related pain conditions.  The machine works by sending pulses across the surface of the skin and along the nerve strands.  The pulses help prevent the pain signals from reaching the brain.  This is actually my favorite pain relief device because it’s so portable.  I can pack it in an overnight bag if I’m going for an out of town visit.  There nothing like a long road or plane trip to cause an arthritis flare up.  Not to worry.   20 minutes of Tens takes care of the pain.  They’re relatively inexpensive and the  tabs are easily replaced.

    5 Home Remedies for Spring Arthritis. Tens is one of the best.
    5 Home Remedies for Spring Arthritis include heat, cold packs, tens and Bio-Freeze.
  2. Bio-Freeze or Vicks VapoRub.   If I wake up in the middle of the  night, I just rub some of the menthol product, Bio Freeze,  into  my skin, and I’m back to sleep in minutes.   Surprisingly, old  fashioned Vicks VapoRub also provides menthol , with some added camphor.  You’re not supposed to use Vicks all the time like you do Bio-Freeze, because the camphor can build up in your system. But it’s a good substitute if you’ve run out of Bio-Freeze.

Soon, we’ll be sweating away in the sunlight, watching the INDY 500 or having a picnic in the park on Memorial Day.  Hopefully, the aches and pains will ease.  But if they don’t, you can always fall back on these 5 home remedies for Arthritis.

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TECHIE SALES REPS LACK EMPATHY

Do you dread buying a new computer, iPhone or other electronic devices?  I know I do. It’s not like buying a new dress to wear to a wedding.   You brace yourself for a whole a new set of buttons and apps. For me, any new piece of equipment involves a steep learning curve.  And most sales reps at places like AT&T and BEST BUY are woefully unaware of how to help seniors.  They zip through the instructions at breakneck speed, and never smile. You can tell they don’t like waiting on folks over 50.  Young techie sales representatives lack empathy for anyone who didn’t grow up using computers.

It wouldn’t be so bad if the new computer or phone came with an  instruction manual.  But everyone’s gone paperless.  Since I grew up using Simplicity patterns to make my own clothes, I’m pretty good at following printed instructions.  But when a sales rep impatiently barks out directives on using a new product, I’m lost.  Yes, I know, there’s a line of customers behind me, chomping at the bit to be waited on.  And they won’t be asking silly questions or ask the salesperson to repeat themselves.

Techie sales reps lack empathy for old folks who didn't grow uup with computers.
Young techie sales reps lack empathy for seniors who don’t understand their language..

I know they’re frustrated because I don’t understand their language. And they know I’m at their mercy.  If I want to survive  in modern society, I must have a cell phone and a computer, at the very least.   Not to mention an MP3 player and a Kindle.  I’m not going to walk out of that store empty handed.  But I’m going to go home and try to remember what they said, and probably end up in tears of frustration, bemoaning my own ignorance.  And when I return to the store for further information, they frown with disapproval.

Each store should have a special clerk for seniors.  It would be helpful to advertise, and schedule appointments, so as to accommodate  people on canes and walkers, or those who can’t stand up for long. This person would need to have something the other tech salesmen lack—empathy.

As a last resort, I’ve ordered a printed manual for my new phone  called  “iPhones for Dummies.” That’s perfect for a tech dummy like me.

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PLEASE DON’T WEEDEAT THE LILIES

Most people nearing retirement are  determined to live in their own home.  However,  it doesn’t always work out that way if one spouse dies, gets sick, or disabled.  But  let’s  suppose you’re lucky enough to age in place. You have the strength to shop, cook, and clean your house. And yet, maintaining a lawn is more challenging.  If you are over eighty, chances are you are paying someone to do that. Unfortunately, our lawn man passed away , and we had to hire someone new this year.  Beware: Just because  someone owns a lawn mower, it doesn’t mean they can tell a flower from a weed.  So, if you’re starting out with a new lawn  service, you might say:  Please don’t weedeat the lilies.

Please don't weed eat the lillies. They won't bloom if cut down too soon.
PLEASE DON’T WEEDEAT THE LILIES. A new lawn person may not be able to tell them from weeds.

Lilies are probably one of the most beautiful spring flowers, but their blooming period is short.  For years, my husband and I planted bulbs along our fence in the fall.  Come spring, we had a splash of colored lilies that brightened our yard and brought joy to everyone who passed by. Lilies only bloom for a short time, but they’re definitely worth waiting for.

This spring, it looked like the mild winter and spring rains were bringing us a bonanza of lilies.  They were sprouting up everywhere, doubling what had come up the year before.  We watched in excitement, thinking of all the beautiful blooms we were about to see.  And then, along came our new  lawn man with a young  helper.  A  girl who didn’t even look sixteen.  As I glanced out the window, I saw her calmly running a weed eater along the fence row, chopping down lily after lily in a matter of seconds.  I raced out the door, yelling for her to stop. She seemed confused.  Turns out she was the man’s daughter.. Heartbroken,   I asked, “can you tell a flower from a weed?” To which she sharply replied, ‘No Ma am.”

The father was apologetic; offered to buy new lilies.  But all the money in the world couldn’t restore those nineteen dead lilies, cut down before they were able to fulfill their mission on this earth.  So my advice to you is this.  If you’re starting out with a new lawn service, be sure to say : Please don’t weedeat the lilies.

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OLD DOG LEARNED 10 NEW TRICKS

No one can predict how much time we’ll spend on this earth, but there’s a general perception that everything goes downhill after 80 years.  In some ways, that’s true in regard to physical capabilities.  There’s arthritis, high blood pressure, and all those other physical conditions that the elderly must cope with.  However,  this old dog learned 10  new tricks after her 80th birthday.  Since that milestone, I have learned to:

1. Start a blog. This was like learning a whole new language.  I could never have done it without the generous help of younger folks at Ivy Tech Community College and the Vigo County Public Library.

2. Make a smooth omelet. My omelets were always lumpy and falling apart. Finally, I went on You Tube and learned the secret is using a blender to whip up the eggs before pouring them on the skillet

Old Dogs Learn 10 New Tricks. You can learn to play Mahjong after 80
Old Dogs Learn 10 New Tricks. You can play Mahjong at any age.

3. Play Mahjong. I was a bridge player since college.  Years ago, I attempted to play Mahjong, but soon gave up, as it seemed too complicated. And then, three years ago, I was lucky enough to find the right teacher.  I still enjoy bridge, but Mahjong is just as challenging, without the pressure of pleasing a partner. And you can play online!

4. Navigate Netflix. We started sending for Netflix CD’s several years ago.  But when the pandemic hit, we kept hearing about all the Netflix series that could be streamed .  It seemed way too complicated, but a Netflix customer service person walked me through all the details.  Binging on a Netflix series like Bridgerton  helped us through the long winter of Covid-19 isolation..  We’ll be watching less TV this spring, but I’m so glad I learned how to stream.

5. Rebloom an amaryllis bulb. Three years ago, my husband ordered a pot of amaryllis just in time for Christmas.  I had never seen anything so miraculously blooming in the winter. After reading the instructions, saved the bulbs, and repotted them the next winter.  It was  exciting to see the leaves shooting up slowly, and 6 weeks later when the flowers bloomed again.   Now I’m hooked.  My basement has nearly a dozen bulbs hibernating until next winter.

6.  Stop a nosebleed. My husband is prone to them because he’s on blood thinners.  Usually, we called the doctor if it happened.  But during the pandemic, we didn’t want to sit in a doctor’s office with other patients. We got online and found  this advice: : Have the patient lean forward, not back.  Take a cotton ball and soak it in liquid nasal decongestant.  Put the cotton up the nostril that’s bleeding.  If you have a nose pincher, use that. Otherwise, pinch with your fingers.  Within 15 minutes, the bleeding  has usually stopped.

Other new skills acquired were: 7) Online banking: transferring money and paying bills via the internet, 8) Practicing daily meditation  using the Calm app.  9) Texting messages and sending  photos on my cell phone   10) Completing jig saw puzzles.

If  you dread  turning 80, or have already reached that milestone, just remember:   It’s never too late for old dogs to learn new tricks.

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New cars don’t appeal after 80

Back in the fifties and sixties,  cars were  a huge status symbol.  People traded their cars in every two or three years—the flashier, the better.   But as the years went by, the new  car culture gradually dwindled down.  Finally, there comes a time in life when you don’t want a change.   New cars don’t appeal after 80.

Back In the 50's car culture, everyone wanted a new car. But now, new cars don't appeal after 80.
Flashy new cars were popular in the fifties.. But the car culture is dwindling. New cars don’t appeal after 80.

In the early 20th century, only the wealthy could afford to own more than one car.  As an example, when I was in college, none of my girlfriends owned a car.  If anyone did, they came from a rich family. After graduating college and going to work in Chicago, it was rare for a young city dweller to own a car.  Everyone took the subway or the el. But when you did finally marry, settle down, and move to the suburbs, you were expected to have at least one late model car.

That began to change in the late 50’ and early 60’s,  when the Volkswagen Beetle craze took over.  Suddenly, it was seen as smart to buy a small, gas efficient car that might last for years. In a form of reverse snobbery,  it became  a point of pride to keep a small, foreign car for years on end.  Later on, the Honda replaced the Volkswagen as the favored  anti-materialistic vehicle.

The average person today keeps their car for 10 years.  That would have made you the object of derision in the 50’s. And yet, cars still do serve as status symbols.  Cadillacs may seem a little too flashy, but wealthy people still drive luxury foreign cars like a Lexus or a Beemer.

After you’re 80, though, new cars don’t  appeal. They’re way too sophisticated—all the computerized bells and whistles are confusing.  Once you’ve gotten used to the dashboard in your car, you don’t want to take on  a new one. My car turns 13 this year, and has over 100,000 miles.  But I know where everything is. How to turn on the windshield wipes and turn on the defogger.  I even had  a side door replaced when someone dented it in a parking lot.  Yes, I can afford a new car.  But I really don’t want one.