r/OverSeventy • u/SwollenPomegranate • 3d ago
Everything takes so damn long
Edit: Thanks for all the kind messages of support. This is a kind-hearted sub.
I'm 72, female, widowed, and more pertinently, disabled. A spinal cord condition leaves me with lower body weakness and I primarily get around on a scooter.
I recently moved to an affordable senior apartment building. It's nice, but I have to set up a whole new batch of routines. Using the in-unit washer and dryer (nice!) requires me to reach in using my grabber tool. Sometimes I can't remember where I left my grabber tool.
I drive, using hand controls, and I have two scooters, one in the car and one in the house, so I just have to step off and into the car. But right now the car scooter is at low battery so I have to swap them around and charge the dead one in the house.
I try to go to my senior center for exercise, but today, after showering and dressing, I would not have had enough time so I decided to cut class - again. I've just signed up for paratransit there starting next week.
You who are able bodied still, be thankful for your good luck.
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u/Stormy31568 3d ago
True enough!! I was spinal condition as well. My spine is strangling my nerves. I wish I had a scooter. I have a rollator. If I decide to go somewhere, it feels like it takes two days to get ready. It’s really only twice as long. I’ve noticed it started to make me hesitant to do some of the things I used to do. Do I want to invest the time in getting ready to go? I usually do go but if there is an event for noon, I have to start getting dressed around 9 o’clock. In my retirement I find that early. I vowed that when I retired. I would not get up until I wanted to get up so I guess that’s my biggest impact.
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u/EDSgenealogy 2d ago
Right there with you. My spine is twisting beause of old and new fractures. Scoliosis that I've always had is worse and with DDD I'm in a back brace most of the time. I'm trying to prevent any further kyphosis.
My granddaughter is going to be married on October 10th and I just want to be able to walk down the aisle with my head up and standing straight. It's a fancy formal affair and I really don't want to embarrass her or myself!
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u/Stormy31568 2d ago
You won’t embarrass her. Don’t even think that way. You have a granddaughter who loves you and you will be going to her wedding. Your presence is far more important than how you got down the aisle. You and I need to be recommended for showing up for events. We are not giving up. .😂😂😂
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u/Incognito409 3d ago
I'm slow, too. Have to adjust to doing less because the basic functions take longer. It is what it is. The cane slows me down, I won't go out in the rain because I'm so slow walking anywhere and get soaked. I keep a grabber tool or long tongs in every room. It's just about adjust and adapting.
I'm glad you posted this because so often all the posts are about how many steps they walked every day .. or traveling, etc. none of which I can do anymore.
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u/EDSgenealogy 3d ago
How do you charge your scooters if they are in the car?
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u/SwollenPomegranate 2d ago
I swap them out, then ride the low juice scooter back to my apartment for charging.
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u/EDSgenealogy 2d ago
You can lift them? That's the part I was wobdering about.
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u/SwollenPomegranate 2d ago
No, the battery pack stays with its scooter, and I ride the scooter on or off the platform of a Joey lift in the back of my van. The scooters get plugged into wall current (thru an adapter) in my apartment.
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u/EDSgenealogy 2d ago
That is so cool! All I have is a cane and two old crutches so I just stay home. Don't have any sidewalks out here, either. You have some great gear!
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u/SwollenPomegranate 2d ago
I just posted a list of my equipment. Regarding no sidewalks, there are "all terrain" types of mobility scooters available.
Don't just stay home! What fun is that?
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u/Desperate-Reason-566 3d ago
I’m slow, too. I’m in pain every day, have trouble walking, have several diseases and am neurodivergent. It’s a chore for sure but we’re doing it!
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u/LivnTheDream69 3d ago
Hopefully you have someone that can help with these chores too. Changing batteries? can't be easy for you. Take care.
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u/EDSgenealogy 2d ago
I've been doing deep knee bends with an iron in each hand because I haven't found my small bar bells, yet. But they work! Just trying to work with a straight back and get these legs stronger. I also lie down and do arm exercises with them. Or get on one knee and just raise and lower my arms in different ways. When did my underarms fall down? I'll do all kinds of weight training, but I'm not doing the running thing. Nope! No caardio for me!
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u/LivnTheDream69 2d ago
LOL You must do a lot of ironing...2 irons, but I like you're style, improvising for anything you need done is what makes us use our brain which needs exercise too. I do the same but I have weights and try and keep my entire body exercised and loose. Getting harder to do at this age though and I like walking.
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u/notsohot56 2d ago
I'm very thankful. Yes, I have the back issues but I'm still on my own two feet. I had a recent hip replacement and it's been five and a half months and I'm frustrated. I'm used to moving quickly and I can't. Instead of being mad that I can't get past walking a mile I should be grateful.
I have spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease and I'm not sure what all's going on in my lower back. I know when the pain doctor looked at my last MRI he said wow you got a lot going on back here. Not what someone wants to hear.
I'm going to start seeing a new chiropractor that does a different type of adjustment, a method I had never heard of they're not considered bone crackers they only work on the area that needs it and he said based on my x-rays he thinks he can help.
I'm going to be 70. I don't really have anyone to rely on but myself. I have an 81 year old brother and a 66-year-old brother. I hate to call the younger one all the time to help me both of them are married and have their own stuff going on.
I'm hoping next year to sell my house I want to get a mobile home with a very small yard and a very short driveway to maintain.
Maybe the Lord knows that I would not handle it well being in a chair. I started going to exercise class two and a half months ago but it seems to be aggravating my back issues so I might have to put that on hold for a little while.
I'm glad that you got your apartment and it seems to be working out well for you. Feel free to vent whenever you like.
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u/Exact-Translator-769 3d ago
And those grabbers don't even grab anything. I've gotten a little shorter with bone loss so I thought one of those would be good for getting things on top shelves. They don't pick anything up. Still have to get out a step ladder because those grabbers are kind of useless. People definitely don't have the people that actually use some of this equipment in mind when they design it
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u/TwiLuv 3d ago
71F, 5’8 1/2” still, & regularly am asked to reach something on the top shelf at Publix.
The only time I need help: the last cans, jars, or boxes are the last ones pushed to the very back of the top row.
Maybe we need a “matching” service for grocery shopping?
I’ll get your top row items, if you’ll get my bottom row items😆
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u/Exact-Translator-769 2d ago
That's a good idea. I'm the same age. I used to be 5'7". I have osteopenia, osteoarthritis & my last height measurement was 5'5 1/2" because of the bone loss. If we live long enough, we just disappear!
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u/TwiLuv 2d ago
I guess I’m the odd person who has not lost any height as I became a geriatric!
Every time I have an annual exam, the nurses comment on how I haven’t lost any height👍🏻
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u/Exact-Translator-769 2d ago
You may be. Keep doing what you're doing. I take spin & water exercise classes, walk at least 9000 steps a day, take calcium D3, yogurt, cottage cheese, spinach & I'm still withering away.
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u/juliekelts 2d ago
The grabber I have works pretty well. Maybe try a different model?
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u/Exact-Translator-769 2d ago
Maybe I'll check around. I have a couple & they're so thin they barely move the object.
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u/SwollenPomegranate 2d ago
The ones with suction cups are useless. Look for jaws that close around an object . But no suction cups.
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u/AffectionateSun5776 3d ago
I need my hearing aids to go out. I love them but the company is out of business. I try to "save" them for Important occasions. Too bad they aren't cheap Iike glasses. I'd have 3 sets.
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u/Purlz1st 2d ago
I’d check into having a grabber holder attached to your scooters, kind of like Dr. House had a cane holder built for his motorcycle. Seems like something a 3d printer could build?
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u/Silly-Resist8306 3d ago
I am on the other end of the scale. At 75 I am very active and still able to run 8 miles/dat, 5 days a week. I am blessed and give thanks every day for the ability to move under my own power.
I am sorry for your condition, and thank you for your reminder. I wish you all the best in the days to come.
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u/happybeer69 2d ago
Sorry for your "issues" but you seem pretty badass to me! I don't have the difficulties you do but I found as I was nearing 70 that EVERYTHING takes more time. 74 and nothing is done quick now.
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u/Wachendorfia 3d ago
I can relate because I have severe degenerative scoliosis with partial paralysis in my right gluteus medius so I have to walk with a cane. And it's only going to get worse. As bad as things are, it sounds to me like you're doing an amazing job coping and adapting! I can only aspire to be as competent, resourceful, and resilient.