Just a number

Last week a friend, who has just had an extended stay in a rehab centre following back surgery, suggested I could write about the downside of growing old. She and the LOHL had a rough go of it, that’s for sure. Her husband had only just begun to manage on his own after suffering a stroke and badda-bing badda-boom, she was rushed to Ottawa for surgery on her back. Geez! If someone wants to find out how much a family can handle, I’ll put you in touch with these two. They’re managing. They’ve got lots of good friends and they’ve got each other. Would they have had these problems if they’d been younger? Likely not. Aging isn’t for the faint of heart, that’s for sure.

So, let’s talk about aging. I think about it every day. LOML says, “Growing old beats the alternative.” He has a point. And, my point is we can do something about being healthy and happy in our senior years. The reality, however, is in the last 10 years of life many of us will live in some kind of chronic pain and possibly with a dollop of physical and/or mental limitations. Many of us will depend upon a personal service worker to help us complete everyday tasks such as grooming, meal preparation, shopping and, in general, getting around. Many of us will have assistive devices in our lives. Hearing aids, canes, walkers, scooters, hand rails in the bath, the ubiquitous “clapper” and goodness knows what all. When we could and should be enjoying a glass of Pinot Noir on the patio of a local winery with friends and family, more than a few of us will be in an assisted living setting wondering what “the second choice” will be on the evening menu in the dining room and what the H E double bypasses happened. Yet, knowing this, we still don’t give too much thought as to how we can continue to our lives in good physical, emotional and mental health.

I’d be the first one to say I’ve made more than one joke about “old age.” I’ve snickered and giggled about all of it, secretly afraid of what old age would bring to my front door. Every ache or pain brings us closer to what we consider “the inevitable.” But all of us old farts can do something, besides making nervous jokes, to keep the wolf away from the door for a long time.

With a little help from my friends, I’ve got a pretty good list of things we can all do— no problems. When you head into town to do a bit of shopping, be a perimeter shopper. The fresh fruit, vegetables, lean meat, fish and poultry are almost always located around the perimeter. Avoid purchasing “foods” that have a long ingredient lists and words on those lists you have trouble pronouncing and don’t understand. When you’re preparing your meals find a way to dump the added fats, especially the saturated kind. Choose to consume less dairy and fewer grain products. Watch out for hidden sugar, salt and additives! Products that are “lite,” sugar and fat-free are often filled with artificial enhancers. Beware of processed foods that claim to have “added vitamins.” At best the amount of added vitamin goodness is minimal and you could do a lot better with fresh food. These products aren’t really food anyway, honest. Wash your fruit and vegetables before you eat them. Don’t cook the goodness out of your food. Don’t be afraid of a treat, like a glass of wine or a piece of pie. Stop smoking and if you aren’t a smoker, don’t spend time in a smoker’s environment. Exercise vigorously, for at least a half-hour, three to five times a week, more often if you can. Stop sweating the small stuff and learn to deal with stress. Smile, laugh, be polite, be generous, be kind, say “no,” learn to knit, sing even if you don’t know the lyrics, dance like someone is watching and put on a great show!

My point is, don’t put too much stock in the number of candles on your birthday cake. Embrace the years, especially on Seniors Tuesdays!

theresa@wellingtontimes.ca