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I am surprised at how little I can eat and still maintain my weight never mind .osing any
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Reply to golden23
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Biggest surprise is the hours of exercising weekly needed to maintain mobility.
Also, number of friends & family caregivers for loved one suffering dementia.
In 2013 doctor recommended strengthen training for leg and back issues. Trainer recommends replacing recliner with straight chair which my wife also agreed to. We soon readjusted our six way power car seats to less reclining position. Eventually arthritis stiffness set in, worst in hands. Orthopedic surgeon sent me to physical therapy to strengthen muscles in wrists and fingers which alleviated most pain. Able to play piano again but must maintain this muscle strength. Once weekly attend stretch mobility class and seeing improvement. Was unable to mount and dismount my men’s 3 speed bicycle safely. Woman’s 28 speed is more comfortable and increased my confidence. I’m now 79, instructor full body exercise class at Senior Center. Most people start this class to increase leg strength because getting off commode, up from soft sofa or recliner becomes difficult or impossible.
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Reply to Dynamite
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In my original posting back in 2022 I had mentioned trying to stand back up from a squatting position. Well, it was getting more difficult as time marched on. I know this is going to sound like an advertisement, but after I went to The Good Feet Store and got arch supports for my shoes, I found it was so much easier to stand up from a squatting position. Who knew??


Hubby also got those arch supports, and he said now his back does hurt like it use to. He works part-time to keep busy, and does a lot of walking at his job. So this was a godsend for him.


Now, what we need to find is something that will keep us awake after eating lunch :)
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Reply to freqflyer
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The resentment and ire I feel about the fact that we haven’t really lengthened seniors’ lifespans. Instead, we have lengthened the dying process.

This is the elephant in the living room few dare to discuss.

Years of frailty and chronic, costly suffering among millions of elderly people taxes us ALL too much. It should be legal for a senior to have death with dignity on their own terms — yes, assisted suicide — IF that is what an individual wants to choose. This is legal & possible in Switzerland and probably some other nations.

We actively, compassionately end companion animals’ suffering. Why do we not have the freedom to choose this for ourselves?

(I am 66, in mostly good health, and am not suicidal. )
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Reply to SisterMaryMutt
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Hothouseflower Mar 20, 2026
My father is dying in slow motion. Three years in a NH with dementia and unable to care for himself. I just keep hoping and praying for this to be over but his body refuses to give up.

I need for him to die already and for this freaking ordeal to finally be over. I cared for both my mother and father -- two ungrateful miserable people. who sucked the life out of me. I am so ready for him to be gone. I am 70 and can't believe I'm still at this.
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My hearing is not as sharp, and classical music is not the same. My memory is not as good, learning new languages is hard. And I get tired after pulling out a handful of weeds. As an ex colleague said, aging is the ultimate extreme sport.
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freqflyer Mar 21, 2026
AnneKat, same here when doing yard work. I use to be able to be outside doing that work for most of the day. Now I am ready to hang it up after 15 minutes (sigh).
(5)
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Not being able to do daily chores that I have always taken for granted. I'm 70 and lately I can't stand to prep meals over my kitchen counter for long periods because I have been getting back spasms. Also loading and unloading the dishwasher hurts. It sucks knowing this is just the beginning of a plethora of problems.
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ElizabethAR37 Mar 21, 2026
I'm 89 and I hear you loud and clear (thanks to my hearing aids and eyeglasses)! Vacuuming and gardening are things of the past that I used to do without thinking. No longer.
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