depressed over the over use of DOCTORS and PROCEDURES..approaching 80

Hi @margaretob, Today is your lucky day! Check out all of the discussions available in the Aging Well Support Group - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/aging-well/.

And IF you did not find there what You were looking for then maybe we can start a group here or in the area the Mentor suggests where we can exchange info and insights that help us keep in the close-to-optimal form. I will start with Eating Well, forms of Physical Activity, and how we manage Stress, and some ways of Social Engagement, all leading to the feeling: I did my near-best to make my today the best possible.

Count me in!

I got up today thinking it would be great to be able to talk to other folks in the same aged boat about doofus stuff that bothers me but doesn't rise to the level of making a doctor appointment (like why can't I taste anything recently -- I'd hate to learn in 10 years there was a fix I didn't know about). My other thing is an honest discussion of modern medical care -- I get surveys, but they never ask the questions I want to answer.

@misu Hey I made it to 81 with INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES severe neuropathy in both legs and now since JUNE and it is OCTOBER tomorrow GASTROPARESES is now hard to deal with. CHills and clumsiness how do you deal with the end time of all of it???? I do have faith..Margaretob

@johnbishop John, I did not know about this group, under the Mayo Clinic Umbrella of discussion forums! I participate in several others, relating to my medical diagnosis, and I have benefited immensely from joining those forums. I would like to join this one! I am 79 years old! Thanks for letting us know about this!

I too, get tired of seeing more Docs and procedures, so I can relate! Aging well is not as easy as some would think, especially when one has multiple physical ailments, that require several different specialists! After a several weeks onset of having a colonoscopy, heart monitoring device, ECG exams, referrals to Neurology, Cardiology, Urology, and Orthopedics, and seeing Docs, and Nurse Practitioners, getting the annual Medicare wellness check, and getting flu and COVID shots, I’ve had enough! It’s particularly frustrating, especially when one lives in an area, where many ‘baby boomers’ have retired to, and the Docs show that they are tired of dealing with old, white haired, persnickety elderly people!!

I finally a prevailing attitude towards seniors is alive and kicking all over, lack of patience, respect and compassion for some who didn’t age well. I noticed that I’m not alone with my thoughts and feelings, the world keeps moving faster and we have to keep moving with it, this is difficult for everyone to cope with especially when you’re not able to do so…

Getting older is not for Wimps! I think most of the medical professionals are not particularly interested in caring for the elderly. Do not know when age became a criteria for receiving good medical care. Most physicians dont like the complex medical cases because then they have to work and do alot of research in order to treat. There may be little hope if you come across a physician who has specialized in geriatric medicine but those are few and far between.

@kndaustin71 I LOVE your first sentence...I also have wondered about its close-kin: GROWING old is so often seem getting wasted on the old.

As old fold we ought to know what is a 'good life.'
And that is a life that is 'good' despite the infirmities of good life.

I am working eaxh day on this ...as my 82nd year winks at me!
Wish you luck, wish me luck.