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How do you stay connected as you age? 2 days ago | By Dr. Denise Millstine and Lisa Speckhard-Pasque (@readtalkgrow)
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@kayabbott

Most of my friends retreated 15 years ago when I got celiac disease. They thought not being able to eat gluten was all in my head and it got on their nerves that I couldn't eat everything and every place. My husband is very supportive. I've always volunteered some (I'm 70), and now do more targeted volunteering, for vets, group tours for school kids keeps me young, and my woodworking group. When one is alone, being part of a group fills holes in one's self. This year I was diagnosed with SMM, stage 3a chronic kidney disease, and dry AMD; oddly the hardest of these is the possibility of going blind. I decided not to tell friends because there would not be there for me. When friends and associates are sick, I help out because I know what being isolated feels like. It is important once retired to have friends, even arms-length ones, hobbies and interests, exercise, and occasionally pillows to scream into.

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Replies to "Most of my friends retreated 15 years ago when I got celiac disease. They thought not..."
Dr. Denise Millstine | @drdenise | 3 days ago

Yes! A safe place to let it all out is so important…..

Ah, the dietary restrictions! I recently hosted a dinner at my house for a friend’s 80th birthday. One of the guests eats gluten free and vegan. Many people told me, “have her bring her own food” - and even she suggested this! I asked her to bring a simple dish - then made an eggplant dish for her. It was fairly easy and - guess what - delicious!

But - I can see how diet can be isolating - especially with so many of our social interactions centering around food. Maybe others have found tricks for their own dietary patterns?

No doubt, losing vision is distressing. What have you found to be helpful as you navigate this?
We had a heartwarming episode #41 on the book “Have Dog, Will Travel” about the poet Stephen Kuusisto’s experience with a guide dog. I also really appreciated the book The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland. We often think of vision loss as binary - when in fact it is quite nuanced.

I particularly appreciate your comment about the need to connect after retirement - and would broaden that to include maybe all life transitions!

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