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This is a Happy Birthday shout out to my husband of 46 years. I think he's doing a fantastic job of navigating old age--certainly better than I am and I'm "only" 87! We've been SO lucky in that we've avoided some of the more common life-wrecking illnesses of old age--so far. I realize that we're on "borrowed time", but we're managing for today.

Elizabeth,
Just wanted to say that I value your input, here.

You are making a difference by sharing your experience.

Happy Birthday to your husband! May God bless you, both!
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ElizabethAR37 Nov 9, 2024
Thanks so much!
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I love that you are counting your blessings! Happy birthday to your hubby, and many more *happy* ones!

I also love that you are using technology and that this forum is a wealth of info and support for you 👍🏼
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For the last 6 months or so, I've been visiting a woman who was 100(she's now 101)and still living by herself in her home with her dog, and whose mind was sharp as a tack, all things considered.
Her neighbor walked her dog every morning, and she had a health aide come twice a week to assist her shower and the like, but otherwise was pretty independent, though moving pretty slow.
She ended up having to go to the hospital shortly before her 101st birthday at the end of October, and then went to live temporarily with her niece until her niece could get her placed in an assisted living facility, where she's now staying.
It's my understanding that this precious 101 year old woman is not at all happy that she can no longer live in her home, and I will be visiting her for the first time since she's been placed later this week.
I have to say that I am grateful that she is now being looked after better and is safe, and that is far more important than how she feels about her circumstances.
We never know what the future may hold for us, but I'd like to think that with God's grace we would all be able to accept things without too much complaining, and just make the best of things and enjoy whatever time we may have left.
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Thank you! We're doing the best we can. I'm SO glad I found this Forum--so much useful information from people dealing with all kinds of situations.
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Elizabeth, not really an answer to your questions, but a statement, coming from a younger generation, nearing retirement age.

Often older people don't feel important in life or that your doing anything important, but your generation is inspiring me everyday.

The kindness you and all of you show people inspires me to now that I can still do good in life, no matter how old I am.

My 90 year old uncles death inspired me, hearing his achievements after retirement.

My 5th grade art teacher, that walks everyday, picking up are roads inspire me

My mother teaches me everyday, that I want to be independent, and instead of asking others to do things, there's Ubers, and food delivery.

Each and every one of you inspire me in a different way, and are important to me
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ElizabethAR37 Nov 5, 2024
Thank you for your comment. Without a doubt one of the hardest parts of old age for me has been losing the ability to do everything I want to! Although I knew it might happen in the "future", I wasn't as prepared for it as I should have been. I was an active volunteer at a cat rescue/rehoming nonprofit for almost 10 years until COVID shut it down. By the time it reopened my back had shut down. I could no longer clean cat cages or chase kitties when they hid. (I now do occasional admin work.)

Until my back quit, I gardened, shopped (good thing for our finances that I had to stop doing that!), participated in our HOA, walked 1-2 miles/day rain or shine, and was generally pretty active. Now? Not so much. I still drive and maintain our household (with some hired help), grocery shop, tend to our accounts and run errands. However, it's gotten harder in the past year. At 87 (88 fast approaching) I miss the me that used to be but hope for the best. Thank goodness for all the online options available now. That's a big help for elders in maintaining as much independence as we can.
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How absolutely fantastic for both of you!
My aunt lived till 96 and was only very sick the last 6 months of her life due to congestive heart failure. She played golf until 90 and played Bridge until 95 when the flu sent her to the hospital. She drove until hospitalized. She said the secret was being physically and mentally active with things she enjoyed.
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There are more older adults without Dementia than with it.
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My dad lived to 92 and didn't have dementia until after an operation for cancer. He walked at least a mile every day, sometimes two. Mom had all her marbles until age 91; she lived to 95. Grandfather passed at 95, and was cognitively okay, drove and looked after himself the whole time. Aunt is 101; she doesn't seem cognitively perfect (plus she's been mean and rude for years). But she lives alone and believes she's independent although she can't drive, cook, take care of a pet or house - she has a team of caregivers who look after her. Friend age 99 recently gave up golf and is okay mentally. In Florida, you find lots of elders with all their marbles. There are many retirement communities, and the people dance, go on field trips, have three meals a day supplied, and feel like they are vacation every day. That lifestyle seems to promote keeping of one's "marbles" due to the fact that they don't have to figure out the hard stuff, like getting to the store, planning a social life, and keeping up a house. I know many older folks in my over-55 community who are cognitively okay in their 90s. They enjoy the arts, sports and activities provided.
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Happy Birthday to your hubby. Well done!!!

I, at 87 too, also have avoided the major life wrecking illnesses of old age. But I have CFS/FM (for 30 years now) which slows me down. Still I am very grateful for the health and life and marbles I have.

You and your hub are great examples. How many 95 years old are out there, never mind those who have motility and marbles.

May you both have many more good years!
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Congratulations. I hope you both stay strong for many more years.

My mom died this year at age 98. She still had most of her marbles at 95, but that was about when she started to lose her memory. She was diagnosed with AFIB that year (although it had showed up now and then earlier). I think that is what caused her memory losses, even with the blood thinners, I think it can cause brain damage. The isolation due to Covid also contributed to her decline. It was a steady downhill slide from 95 to 98 1/2 when she passed.
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