Preparing to Age in Place

I have had both knees and both hips replaced as well as active Rheumatoid Arthritis for 25 years. Many years of pain and disability. I am grateful to have had good medical care and the chance to catch up and experience, with so much less pain, the events that I missed out on before. I absolutely want those extra years!

I thought it was very interesting that a physician who deals with arthritis issues and pain was contemplating such a choice, which isn't really a choice. We play the hand we are dealt. When do we stop replacing parts and simply accept the deterioration of the quality of life as joints wear out? That is a question many of us will likely face.

Theresa-
This is such an encouraging post!
I've seen several persons' lives improved greatly by knee and hip replacements.
And the technology is improving.

Hello MarilynB: I am 88, so fit into this group, I think. I had 2 strokes about 18 months ago and have mostly recovered, except my right foot, leg, and hand are not quite normal. Therefore, I no longer drive. I live in a rural area in my own home alone, with help from a daughter and hubby who live 7 miles away. I have the usual helps here: chair in the shower, arms beside the commode, a bedside commode in the bedroom, a walker nearby if needed and a cane. I have a couple who help with anything I can't do: floors, windows, flower beds, dusting, etc. for $25 an hour each; not bad! Since I don't drive, my daughter takes me everywhere: groceries, library, Church (sometimes), etc. Aging in place is lonely sometimes but I prefer home to anywhere else! My best to you!

And my best to you. I am truly sorry you do not have full mobility due to your strokes. Since I first wrote I have turned 90. It is a little frightening because I know there are not many years left. So far, though, I am good. I can still drive. In fact several weeks ago my friend asked me to take her to the E.R. It was not close by. But I got her there. By the time she was discharged it was dark. Not my favorite time for driving. However I am proud to say I drove this ess-shaped freeway in the dark and got us both home safely. I have a cleaner every three weeks. I pay her $100.00 and she does everything. Probably takes her 3-4 hours. I do everything else for myself. Just changed out my summer sheets for my flannel winter sheets and blankets. I found it a little hard to carry everything into the garage for storage but I managed. I guess that is what I do. I manage. I still use a cane when I am out because I am afraid of falling, even though the surgeon who did my hip replacement scolds me for this and says I can walk fine. And yes, I can walk fine, but I am still frightened of falling. I agree that staying in my own home alone is lonely. Unlike you I have no support system. But that's the way it is.

Thank you for your response! Yes, without my daughter and her husband, I doubt I'd even be alive. I envy you that you can still drive; I voluntarily gave it up. My right side just isn't reliable and that's the side you use driving! It really forces me to stay home most of the time; I am about 20 miles from town; 9 miles from a small one. But I love it here! I am in the Ozarks in a log home, which I had always wanted. I do my own house work, except for floors and dusting; do most cooking: a lot of sandwiches, soup, etc. My daughter sends me leftovers also. Take care and be careful driving!

@dorisjeanne I'm sorry about the challenges you've been facing and dealing with since your 2 strokes. But I'm glad that you seem to have a great support system that's so helpful to you. And I definitely agree with you: Aging in place IS lonely sometimes...and I, too, prefer home to anywhere else.

Doris and Marilyn-
You are both so inspiring!
This morning I was finishing my little kitchen routine by wiping off the kitchen counter and I noticed it was time to make an attitude change. Having a clean counter is a good thing, and I can appreciate many things about it: the nice counter top that is easy to clean, the soft dish cloth and the clean water, and the fact that I can see and do this little task to start the day. Without grumping to myself!
If I live to be 85 or 90, my energies will likely be less and I probably won't be doing all the enjoyable crafts and studies I can currently do.
So it could be good preparation to be learning to appreciate basic self-care tasks like wiping the kitchen counter. They will be "bigger" parts of my life some day.