DW and I are well past this age, so we can't look ahead to it, but we've been taking a retrospective look at what we thought we'd be doing at this age.
Some things are exactly the same as what we did 10 or even twenty years ago, but others... well, we had no clue!
Health has been better than expected, although we take more "pills", and we're very aware of the vulnerablilities of aging.
Our social life stayed very busy, up until the age 75 anniversary, but now is slowing down rapidly. Not an unpleasant change, but we become kinder to each other, and less involved in going out and interacting with others of our age. (maybe a little more selfish, and less willing to go along with listening to the problems of others, or doing things that we don't enjoy, just because it's a 'group' activity.)
Travel... We weren't world travelers, but we did many day trips, and week vacations. Now... sadly... much less interest. Long rides and time away from home comforts, lead to memories of "been there, done that!". This stay-at-home thinking wasn't expected. The afternoon nap isn't as easy to do when you're on the road.
Exercise... I still ride my bicycles and canoe, DW does "sit and be fit", and we both do "mall walking", but no regimen. We're in pretty good shape weight -wise, and with physical dexterity, but the arthritis that began 15 years ago, is creeping up, and accompanied by some peripheral neuropathy (for me), and some common but minor aging problems for DW. Jogging or senior triathalons are out.
Mental acuity... Our favorite expression "between the two of us, we make one person". The brain still works fairly well as far as reasoning, and the deeper intellectual thinking parts, but the short term memory and the multitasking that was once natural and second nature, is fading rapidly.
Energy... The spirit is willing, but the body weak. Tasks that were once picked up and accomplished as they appeared, now require analysis, and planning. That, perhaps, is the one part of aging that is most difficult in which to adapt.
All of the above... generalities. In looking ahead, in your case... what do you see yourself doing when you are age 75? Things that you do NOW, and what you expect to be doing when you hit that 3/4 century mark?
-Travel
-Exercise
-Going out to eat
-Social groups/memberships/activities
-Reading - watching TV (passive)
-Computer interaction (active)
-Volunteerism - service to others
-Time with family
-Hobbies
-Time spent in planning... money, home, long term
-Time at home vs. away... #hours/day
-W*rk... paid or unpaid
-Where you'll be living
The list is essentially endless. Certainly not something to dwell upon, and yet maybe worth looking ahead, to consider the realities of aging, and possibly to look at the forks in the road ahead. At least a peek at the future, maybe to mentally prepare for the changes that could happen, and at a time when coping might be more difficult than today.
Seventy-five is still young. We're "youngsters" in our CCRC. When you are living in an age qualified community, the frame of reference changes. We have some new idols... a 95 year old couple who have been married for 76 years. He, a natural guru, with a brilliant mind, she, a Bridge master, and both still enjoying some night life as well as weekly casino visits. And... they both still drive!
The sobering thought, is that to get to the age plateaus, you have to get past the "concentration of age".
Some things are exactly the same as what we did 10 or even twenty years ago, but others... well, we had no clue!
Health has been better than expected, although we take more "pills", and we're very aware of the vulnerablilities of aging.
Our social life stayed very busy, up until the age 75 anniversary, but now is slowing down rapidly. Not an unpleasant change, but we become kinder to each other, and less involved in going out and interacting with others of our age. (maybe a little more selfish, and less willing to go along with listening to the problems of others, or doing things that we don't enjoy, just because it's a 'group' activity.)
Travel... We weren't world travelers, but we did many day trips, and week vacations. Now... sadly... much less interest. Long rides and time away from home comforts, lead to memories of "been there, done that!". This stay-at-home thinking wasn't expected. The afternoon nap isn't as easy to do when you're on the road.
Exercise... I still ride my bicycles and canoe, DW does "sit and be fit", and we both do "mall walking", but no regimen. We're in pretty good shape weight -wise, and with physical dexterity, but the arthritis that began 15 years ago, is creeping up, and accompanied by some peripheral neuropathy (for me), and some common but minor aging problems for DW. Jogging or senior triathalons are out.
Mental acuity... Our favorite expression "between the two of us, we make one person". The brain still works fairly well as far as reasoning, and the deeper intellectual thinking parts, but the short term memory and the multitasking that was once natural and second nature, is fading rapidly.
Energy... The spirit is willing, but the body weak. Tasks that were once picked up and accomplished as they appeared, now require analysis, and planning. That, perhaps, is the one part of aging that is most difficult in which to adapt.
All of the above... generalities. In looking ahead, in your case... what do you see yourself doing when you are age 75? Things that you do NOW, and what you expect to be doing when you hit that 3/4 century mark?
-Travel
-Exercise
-Going out to eat
-Social groups/memberships/activities
-Reading - watching TV (passive)
-Computer interaction (active)
-Volunteerism - service to others
-Time with family
-Hobbies
-Time spent in planning... money, home, long term
-Time at home vs. away... #hours/day
-W*rk... paid or unpaid
-Where you'll be living
The list is essentially endless. Certainly not something to dwell upon, and yet maybe worth looking ahead, to consider the realities of aging, and possibly to look at the forks in the road ahead. At least a peek at the future, maybe to mentally prepare for the changes that could happen, and at a time when coping might be more difficult than today.
Seventy-five is still young. We're "youngsters" in our CCRC. When you are living in an age qualified community, the frame of reference changes. We have some new idols... a 95 year old couple who have been married for 76 years. He, a natural guru, with a brilliant mind, she, a Bridge master, and both still enjoying some night life as well as weekly casino visits. And... they both still drive!
The sobering thought, is that to get to the age plateaus, you have to get past the "concentration of age".
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