Smart Senior

Senior to Senior: Balance

Balance is defined as the ability of your body to maintain equilibrium when standing, walking, or performing activities of daily living. Let’s face it. Most of us have had some near falls when pulling on slacks, walking on uneven ground, or reaching for something on a shelf. Balance isn’t addressed nearly as often as strength training, aerobics, and stretching routines, but it is a real concern for seniors everywhere. Seriously, the sense of balance begins degrading in your twenties and goes downhill after that, and that is a very long downhill journey. We need balance every time we take a step. It’s what keeps us on our feet when walking and keeps us from wobbling when standing still. The process is quite complex, involving brain messages and multiple senses. Quite astounding, isn’t? Aging happens. Changes in vision, core strength, flexibility, and intricate changes in the ear canals all affect the way information is relayed to the brain. Poor balance is the reason that incidents of falls become more common as we age. The good news is that experts tell us that there are some things we can do to preserve and even restore the sense of balance. Yes, the dreaded “exercise” word comes into play again, but this time it isn’t about six-pack abs or training for a marathon. You will be pleased to know that balance exercises aren’t rocket science. The ones that come to mind involve standing on one foot while brushing your teeth or talking on the phone, and practicing walking heel-to-toe, with one foot directly in front of the other. If that isn’t challenging enough you can buy or check out senior exercise videos from the library. All of them include a segment on balance, it is that important. If you crave company, find a class at the YMCA or Senior Center near your home. Talk to your doctor. Conquer your fears. You can opt to use a cane, walking sticks or a walker, but if you can put that off a little longer, isn’t it worth the effort?

Senior to Senior: Fear of Falling

Fear of Falling Who knew that a tiny wobble, a momentary loss of balance, could be life changing. If you happen to mention your “fall” to your nearest and dearest, they will hover around you with worried expressions on their faces. It’s time to push back. Do whatever it takes to protect yourself and your independence. Falls are the leading cause of injury in adults over 60. My cousin stubbed her toe, lost her balance, and crashed against the oven door the other day. She is fine, but of course the oven door will never be the same. Shaken but not injured, she regrouped and made it to her recliner. She didn’t want, or need, to use her Medic Alert button but she let her family know what had happened. Of course, they overreacted, but that’s to be expected. Seniors are vulnerable to falls. Everyone talks about the changes the body undergoes when entering teen years, but it is nothing compared to what happens when you get older. We are now talking about muscle weakness, decreased balance, and changes in vision. You don’t have to swaddle yourself in bubble wrap, but you can pay attention to changes that are occurring. Be proactive; learn what you can do to protect yourself. Physical decline is an inevitable part of life. Loss of muscle strength and flexibility due to chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and neuromuscular diseases make you vulnerable. Not to mention that some of the medications that you may be taking can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or even a drop in blood pressure. Pay attention. Senior proof your home and much as you hate the idea, adopt an approved exercise program. Learn how to manage any chronic conditions and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Fear of falling is paralyzing, almost as bad or maybe worse than the fall itself. To a young person a fall can be embarrassing and painful, but to a senior with fragile bones, it can threaten everything they hold dear. Still, a fall doesn’t have to be a one-way ticket to a care facility. Face your fears, seek medical advice, and make prevention a priority.

Senior to Senior: Past Mistakes

Not everyone looks forward to retirement. Leaving everything that is familiar behind is scary. There are so many decisions to be made, decisions that go above and beyond how much money you may, or may not, have amassed. Rich or poor, retirement is difficult in so many ways. People in their 70’s and 80’s have been retired for a very long time, and hopefully have it all figured out. They have learned the hard way that forgiving themselves for past mistakes and moving on, is of utmost importance. “Old Timers” watch new retirees with interest. They watch them filling their days with endless activities, trying to fill the void left by empty nests and empty careers. It’s a bitter pill to swallow when you discover that your job was easily filled by someone else, and that your children are fine on their own. The question is not only “what I am going to do with my time,” but on coming to terms with the past. Thoughts about “today” and the “future” loom large. Everyone has a few regrets and perhaps it is time to put old demons to rest. Time to make peace if you stepped on too many toes or squelched too many relationships to get ahead. Time doesn’t erase everything. Nagging thoughts of who you might have bullied, manipulated, cheated, or used as you moved through life may haunt you. You may wonder if you should try to make amends or atone in some way, for simply being a jerk. You may, or may not, be the same person you were when you were young, eager, and perhaps a bit ruthless. You can ignore your past, work things out by yourself, or seek therapy, depending on how egregious you were. A therapist will undoubtedly suggest that you should stop obsessing over unwise actions, forgive yourself, and look ahead. Regardless of your sins, you are, or can be, a different person now.

Senior to Senior: Ordinary People

After all these years, it is time to admit that being ordinary is okay. You may not be one of the “beautiful people” that the media loves to hype, but you can be a VIP in your own right. We all hate being average. We see others excel in sports, in education, and in high finance, and we wonder why we can’t be good at just one thing. In actuality, we should be satisfied with being good, reasonably well-adjusted people, and enjoy the life we have. Why isn’t just having a nice life good enough? It is time to stop feeling that ordinary means average, mediocre, or dull. Instead, think of ordinary people as the normal ones. Most ordinary people will never be superstars, but they can be good solid citizens. They may not do anything particularly well, but if they combine their talents with others, they can change the world. Seniors are a good example of this because there are so many of them. Seniors collectively have more experience and common sense than any other age group. It matters. Look around you, have you noticed that ordinary people are in the majority? Numbers say it all. Ordinary people using their talents, opportunities, and experiences, can shine as brightly as a single superstar. This is a good thing, because where would society be without the people who work behind the scenes? It takes many players to make up a team. Each team player is important. It is unfortunate that ordinary people have been led to believe that they are second rate because they blend into the background. Never forget that ordinary people make up the backbone of workforces and communities everywhere. It is time for ordinary people to stop seeing themselves as too short, too tall, too skinny, too fat or too poor. They need to see themselves as the loving, caring individual that they are. Ordinary people may not be geniuses or champions, but they are good people who recognize that hard work and small triumphs are in themselves quite extraordinary.

Senior to Senior: Make a Difference

You can make a difference. Seniors tend to hold back because they feel that the little that they can do may not be good enough. Still the desire to help lives on. Medical problems, decreased mobility, and having to depend on others for transportation make it difficult, but not impossible. Use your talents, no matter how big or how small they may seem. A friend of mine mentioned that her church was collecting donations for charity. Winter is coming and volunteer organizations are asking for donations of warm hats, scarves, and mittens. The contributions, they stipulated, can be store bought or homemade. It’s easy to run to the store to buy a scarf or a pair of mittens, but we all know that hand knit, or crocheted items, are sturdier and warmer. If you stopped knitting because your kids or your grandkids decided that homemade stuff wasn’t cool enough, you can rest assured that someone struggling to get by isn’t thinking about designer labels. Dust off your needles and start knitting, crocheting or sewing again. The smallest contribution can make a difference. Besides, working with your hands is good for you. Many seniors testify that knitting and crocheting has improved their manual dexterity, their hand-eye coordination, and the range of motion in their fingers and wrists. We won’t even get into decreasing anxiety and stress, and the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile. All skill levels are needed. Novice or expert, there is a project waiting for you. Not sure what you could make? Afghans, quilts, mittens, hats, caps, slippers and toys. Mittens for the homeless, chemo caps for oncology patients, or preemie caps for neonatal departments. Toys for children, baby booties…so many people in need. All you have to do is follow the news to see heartbreaking stories about people who have lost everything. You can help. You can make a difference. Work from home or join a group and rest assured that what you do is appreciated. Items made by hand have something that store-bought can never duplicate, they are made with love.