Preparing to Age in Place

Isn’t it amazing how our society is so different from the ones who have their elders living with them.

I’m 74 years old, and have been living solo for 6 years. I absolutely love the freedom!
Three years ago I was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment. I was doing well for a while, but about one year ago I noticed some strange behaviors. I also became off balance, my eyes had problems focusing so I started using cane, then a walker.

First I was diagnosed with Ataxia (balance and vision), then my neurologist did extensive testing for dementia.
Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Dementia (mild)!

Now living alone, being off balance, and having double vision is making life interesting. Oh, and I cannot drive anymore. I am managing!
There is the Volunteer Group, “Helping Hands” that provides me with free rides to appointments. I found a woman hairstylist who cuts my hair in my home. I’m using Meals on Wheels so I can get a meal instead of a snack for dinner.

Now the question is, how long will I’ve able to run my own “show”? I’m hoping to hang on for as long as I can.

I love this story!
I was an avid walker and race walker for many years before slowed down by Multiple Sclerosis. My health has declined dramatically since age 50, I went on parliament disability in my mid fifties, and I will be 70 this year.
I'm pretty much housebound but no wheelchair. So I walk when I can but slowly.
I'm envious of your good fortune and wish you continued good health and many more happy years. & thanks for your response!

Bravo for taking the piano lessons. I read that learning new things is the key to having a healthy brain as we age. I listen to ancient history podcasts most nights before sleep. I’m hoping this passive learning counts but I’m looking for learning a new activity too.

SusanEllen-
I admire your courage and joy!
Do you have a Geriatric Care Manager or a very dependable friend who can help you plan and manage your life situation?
It seems that this is a good time to simplify things as much as possible so that you can run your own show for a long time.

Habits can make or break our efforts to stay self-sufficient.

I'm working every day to develop and reinforce the habit of finishing what I start. Unfinished tasks pile up quickly and occupy living space.

When I open the mail: Can I handle it just once? Send it straight to the paper recycle bag?

Complete what I'm doing before starting the next thing.

Can I bring it upstairs now, and get in some extra steps?

"Almost finished," "Leave it here for now." These are dangerous thoughts.

Finish it and put it away. Don't let things pile up. Value the open space, which is where our life moves and breathes.

God Bless

@margotcc, allow me to help (and hopefully not take this conversation off-topic). I bet others would also appreciate this information about how to find your past posts.
You can find all the posts you've made in your profile.
1. Click your @username or the profile icon in the upper right corner of any page.
2. Select "Discussions" to see any discussions you've started. Select "Comments" to see comments.

More tips can be found in the Help Center https://connect.mayoclinic.org/help-center/

Now, back to the topic - one that I revisit often with my mom who is also in her 80s, active and involved in her community. We don't live in the same town. The family enjoys visiting her and when we all gather, we're happy she's still in the house. Her town is the mid-point from where we've all spread to in various cities.

She is more than welcome to move in with my husband and I, but we're also aware that means disconnecting her from her community. She's not ready for that and frankly social connection is an important factor in aging well. Luckily, she has neighbors who also keep a watchful eye for emergency and non-emergency needs.

We started a habit a few years ago. We text daily every morning upon waking and every night upon being in bed. At first, we set up this routine for practical, obvious reasons, but it has turned out to bring us joy and connection. I look forward to those good morning and good night texts. And we get to be silly, serious and thoughtful to spice it up.

Thank you for your good wishes. It is nice to meet a fellow walker. Keep it up and remember - One foot in front of the other.

This is off-topic.
You state a Great point.There are already "digital companion" type devices to help combat loneliness and provide companionship for people living on their own.

What do I think of these devices? Below are a few examples that recur in my readings.

The Pros are companionship, Availability 24/7 (if hardware, software, routers, or the internet is not broken or needs a reset), and Emotional support.

The cons are a lack of human connection and empathy, dependency and isolation, ethical and privacy concerns, and more privacy concerns, as well as unrealistic expectations. Commentaries on social media's dependency and isolation raise many alarms, and as AI is involved in the companionship of the lonely,
Many will forget that devices are only tools. Again, when lonely and isolated and family never calls or visits, one turns to an outlet that will not pass judgment on one's feelings and provide reassuring words/messages.

From Twitter: https://x.com/GFarrugiaMD/status/1778085115031097844

Dr. Gianrico Farrugia GFarrugiaMD CEO of Mayo active in the development ": Artificial Intelligence in Health, Health Care, and Biomedical Science: An AI Code of Conduct Principles and Commitments Discussion Draft"
·Apr 10 @theNAMedicine
The AI Code of Conduct initiative I am co-chairing has released an early framework of principles and commitments for public comment. Read it here: https://bit.ly/3VRuNTa.

You asked If you knew that Mayo Clinic is a leader in Advance Care at Home. This is not solely for aging in place.

I have followed the Hospital at Home, Advanced Home Care, and others for over 20 years.
The development of AI and the new wave of home care are moving at an alarming pace, which gives me a bit of hope that Dr. Gianrico Farrugia is leading the development of its conduct. Mayo Connect needs to consider a new discussion on AI and the Hospital at Home, Advance Home care for the support groups to start providing information.
Preparing for the Age in Place topic and Mayo Connect is a great start.
I read many great comments, and in each comment, I asked what wearable devices could assist individuals in their home environment.

What measures are you taking to prepare to age in place? Do you want to?
That is a separate post.
Ferris Watson

Thank you, Colleen.
I appreciate your reply, didn’t mind at all. It was helpful!
And I think you and your family have a wonderful relationship with your Mom!!
My own children are great, but they have such busy lives, with their jobs, their own children, other needy relatives, and even their pets, that I am trying to make it easy for them.
Am thinking ahead — if I do eventually move closer to them, I will use an independent or assisted living facility, am fortunate to be able to afford it. I know I can make that work and be happy there too. But, as I said, I am ok right now to stay here on my own.
God bless.