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TKR at 81, living alone, and with balance difficulty: a good idea?
Joint Replacements | Last Active: 14 hours ago | Replies (34)Comment receiving replies
Am like you: I will be alone when I need to have my left knee replaced. I must say I don't have balance issues, though. Sorry to hear that you have that issue.
Does it hurt for you to do trainer bike? Does your trainer bike allow you to stand up as you peddle?
I do a LOT of trainer bike to keep my legs strong as I age and it does not cause me knee pain standing or sitting to peddle and it is a very good training bike, heavy, so standing and holding on is very stable as I work out.
I invested $2100. in my bike when I turned 65 and it has been worth every dime. I use it nearly every day for 30-60 minutes - minimum four days a week. I use it for HIT training on that bike (peddle as hard as I can for one min standing up then sit down and peddle low to moderate for three minutes - then repeat as much and as long as I can, for my heart, too. I do it with great music going in my hearing aides so the work out is less of a beast.
Am considering investing in a rowing machine, too, as that helps legs and back, am just trying to find a good one.
One thing for sure is that I won't be going to some "rehab" place! At our age we will be treated like "old people" babies, catch some infection and die there and that is not on my radar.
IF you do decide you will need to go to a rehab center, make sure you investigate their infection rate, and check it out well BEFORE you have surgery?
I like the suggestion on here: find nursing students, or PT students, or some upper level high school kiddos who want to earn some extra cash? Also: try calling your area agency on aging and explain your situation and seeing if they have any INDIVIDUAL volunteers or caregivers who want to earn some cash for 2-3 weeks? OR if you have a Catholic school - how about calling them and finding a good upper level high school student?
Heck, I would come help you if we lived close! Too bad there isn't some screening service Mayo could manage to ask for helper volunteers, make a elder helper network of vetted volunteers who could use a bit of cash to cover travel to help other elders??
Replies to "Am like you: I will be alone when I need to have my left knee replaced...."
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Hello, @slarson14
I never know quite how to describe my balance "issues," to put a measuring stick to the degree of difficulty. I've sometimes thought in terms of 1-to-10, 1 being, "You'd best remain in bed," and 10 being, "What balance difficulty?" Using that scale, I'd say my difficulty is a 7 or 8, and that's an average; some days my balance will be a 5 or 6, and other days a 9, or even a 10.
I'm unsure of what you mean when you say a "trainer bike." Is that a stationary bike? I have a recumbent bike, which I ride not nearly as often as I should. (After reading your post, however, I'm inspired! I'll be on my recumbent bike before this day is out, and perhaps tomorrow and the next day, too. Thank you for the inspiration!)
And a rowing machine! Now that you've mentioned a rowing machine, I think I'll purchase one. I've used them lots whenever I've gone to PT, and have always felt they've been of great help, especialy when it comes to upper body tone and flexibility.
Same here: No "rehab" places for me! A couple of years ago I had a septic infection and, after a few weeks in the hospital, I was finally cleared for discharge but only with the understanding that I next go into a local rehab facility. What a dreadful experience! Ordinarily I'd fuss to learn that my insurance would no longer cover some service or other which I was finding beneficial, but I was absolutely delighted when I learned that my insurance would no longer cover my time in the rehab facility.
Thank you for your many suggestions for where I might post-op help. I know our city's Agency on Aging does lots of good work. Some years ago I was acquainted with the then-director of the Agency, and I recall her saying that the Agency's No. 1 problem is that city residents in-need all too often didn't even know the Agency existed.
You close in saying, "I would come help you if we lived close!" That's the most generous thing I've heard in a long, long time!
And perhaps, as you hint, Mayo might look into the possibility of a seniors "network" of sorts, to help direct volunteers when and where help is needed. A most excellent idea!
Best wishes,
Ray (@ray666)