Preparing to Age in Place

I caught myself being grumpy this morning because "Oh, there are so many dishes in the dishwasher that I must put in the cabinets. Oh, poor me."
Well, this was an easy one.
A little flip of the mind and I was laughing at myself and enjoying clearing the kitchen and making a pot of coffee.
I think about our dogs who take such pleasure in their daily routines.
Who's to say how many more mornings I'll be here to ready the kitchen for the day?
It's something to enjoy and be grateful for. (An old guy can learn new tricks!)

I am almost 80 years old and will be by myself for 2 weeks in a few months and decided I need some kind of device in case I fall or get sick. I had a mild stroke 3 months ago, which felt like an extreme Vertigo attack. I was able to speak, not walk because I was so dizzy. And I have been diagnosed with focal Epilepsy a year ago and have 4 to 5 minutes seizures where I have an Aura first so I know to sit down, get safe and I go into amnesia, only lose consciousness for 1 or 2 minutes. And can easily call for help the first minute or two. So what kind of device should I get to call for help with these two issues? My Doctors at Mayo Clinic say I rebounded from the Stroke well (no cognitive or physical loss) and my Epilepsy Medication has controlled me not having a seizure for 8 months.

Hi Mercuryrose,

I would look into getting an Apple Watch with Cellular service and then wear it all the time except when you are in bed sleeping and need to recharge it. If you fall, the watch detects this automatically and will call emergency services after 30 seconds unless you specifically say you are OK.

The watch can also monitor your heart rate and alert you if it's too fast, and has the ability to detect afib.

If you need help, you can say "Hey Siri, call 911" if you can't reach the watch to make the call. The watch itself is about $400 and cellular service is $15 a month.

In the long run, is less expensive than Life Alert, which can be $40-$80 per month. Life Alert, however, has one advantage in that the pendant runs on a battery that doesn't need to be recharged every day. Wearing a watch seems easier to me than wearing a pendant around your neck, and the watches are waterproof so you can wear them in the shower.

Like Scottbeammeup says, I recommend an Apple watch with SIM card and cellular service.
There's a lot to learn, so first off learn to use Siri to make an emergency call.
I find phone calls on the watch are better than on iPhone.
Recharging is fairly quick and perhaps can be done with the watch on your wrist. Be sure to enter the passcode after charging.
As you get to know it, you can read your information history in an iPhone Health app.

I don't think there is anything wrong with being grumpy with the load of dishes in the dishwasher. I feel the same way. Every morning, they are awaiting me. It's just another chore among many. I do it and move on, since it really doesn't take that long.

However, I do reward myself with a little treat. Sometimes its sitting down and reading a chapter in my book, getting a cup of coffee/tea, or simply sending a heart felt text or phone call.
Sometimes its something a little bigger. Gratitude is key. Taking pleasure in a simple day is a beautiful thing.

But I really love your attitude, "a little flip of the mind" really clears things up.

You sound ready for the future. My house is geared toward safety and convenience, too. You mentioned grab bars in the bathroom, I have them and they have been very useful. Good Luck!

You may be surprised when you need grab bars.
Best to install them sooner!

Your post brought a smile.

I've been thankful for the grab bars I put on each side of the toilet, and for the raised seat. I have one for the shower, as soon as I'm a bit more ambulatory. My daughter put one on the shop door jamb for me and it's made going up the 2 steps much easier and safer.

I was spirit lifted by the high of 77° today, 20° lower than it has been lately. It was good to breathe air that was less smoky today, even though there are huge fires east and north of us. More than a million acres have been/continue burning.

My neighbor uses our pasture for their cows, and in exchange they do the irrigating. Joe sets a sprinkler to water the orchard, the garden and the back lawn. It means a lot to me. I can just focus on watering the front lawn and some flower beds. They're very thoughtful people.

Saturday I get to mow with my riding mower! I haven't been able to do it for several months. I'm looking forward to it. And now that I'm in just one walking boot I can pull weeds. I don't like weeds, but I enjoy pulling them. After a couple of hours I can stand back and see how much better it looks. A real spirit lifter.

This weekend I will be able to take back the kitchen cleanup. My wife has had to do it for a few months, but now I can stand at the sink and load and unload the dishwasher. I know it's kind of a weird thing to be grateful for - that and vacuuming the house. Someday I'll be able to wash and wax the cars. I enjoy doing jobs that have visible results. I was a minister all of my adult life, and results aren't often visible or immediate in the ministry. Change is a more gradual process. But being a part of the process of changing is very rewarding.

Sadie is a big spirit lifter. I had some good therapy from her this morning, having her jump up in my lap and lying there while I drank my coffee. That's one of the best services she provides for me, and it's an ADA approved service!

Getting an injection in my knee tomorrow will certainly lift my spirits. And we'll go out for lunch, a treat we enjoy.

And now, sleep beckons.

Jim

you have so much going on and the right attitude! Inspiring.

I can't wait to start my day, go out and "lift as many spirits " as I can. I'm on a mission. But first coffee.