Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group

@becsbuddy We are with you let us know when you get there . I will walk over to my sons on the other side of town about 30 miles for starters . Lets go .

@contentandwell I can see the part where you were staying and I think it is quieter than most areas these days. The island has become so busy in recent years and where I live the beach is usually packed. I am in the Kapalua area which is beautiful but too popular. The one good thing about this awful virus is that the beaches and the ocean are having a nice rest. The turtles are appearing on the beach much more and everything is going back to the way it used to be. it was lovely 30 years ago when we first lived here and even before that when I used to visit.
Becky, I think that is a good idea. You can mark off how much you advance each day until you get there. Maybe put a graph on the wall showing rough miles and mark off each days mileage. It certainly provides a goal.

@contentandwell Now that I’ve read where Sue is going I may have to change my plans! And, of course, virtually! When I could bike, I always went into town—we have great bike trails. No more biking for me 😥 Endochrinologist says no.

@becsbuddy I’m going to start walking to Melbourne Beach tomorrow morning. It’s about 50 miles from my house so I should arrive around the middle of June if I continue to walk 7 days a week! Good luck everyone!

@lioness, @mitzi, @contentandwell, Thank you for responding to my “Living Alone and Getting Sick” Covid-19 thread.
Lioness, the personal alert system I subscribe to, Alert 1, offers three options: one for driving/travel away from premises, a second, the around-the-neck button to push if you need help, and the 3rd for, instant alert if one falls and cannot press the help button.
Living alone and with covid spread, I upgraded from the 1st type to the 3rd. If I hit my head or couldn’t press the button, the fall will trigger the alert to the company to signal help. A few yrs ago, I first subscribed to the 3rd option but like in your mom’s case, it was too sensitive and kept going off too frequently. Later learned that the length of the adjustable lasso around the neck was the culprit. No false alarms with the upgrade since Jan. of this year. This added level of safety for me means a faster EMS response if needed.

It sounds as though your ind. sr. living facility is doing a great job of keeping everyone safe. It also offers the amenities I require. Although all offer personal car parks, one 15 miles from daughter, offers a car service which would be a real plus if I stopped driving.

@pollyanne, I’m joining other walkers in accepting your generous Hawaii visit offer! How about we all consider holding our 1st Walkers Connect Convention there when it’s safe again??? @jakeduck1 can buy the food and I’ll chip in, your hubby can do the cooking and we can give @becsbuddy swimming lessons?
Until then, I’ll join Becky in starting out for Boulder/Denver. More like 600+ miles from here for me but if I start now….with army rations, masks & gloves, collapsible tent and backpack I might reach favorite destination to be with family by August? Truly can’t even think of when I might feel safe enough to travel there otherwise.

@ hopeful33250, I couldn’t open the link you sent; searched utube and found this one???

@artscaping and @helenfrances Agreeing with Helen about “beautiful communication”. Chris, just saw your poster on “hey there, grand…parents thread” googled symptoms, just need grandkids’ hug…purrfect!

Want to add for those of us celebrating a holiday alone during these times, that a trick I learned yrs ago when having to “share” my daughter with ex, I decided I could either cry and bemoan watching the little cherub board the planes or I could turn the holiday into a celebration of one. Being an inate “party animal” I chose to make the day special. Last week I began deliberating on whether Mothers Day “feast” would be a frozen roast or t-bone steak. Roast won and is simmering with veggies in slow cooker. Just brewed a pot of special occasion Sprouts “Caramel Cream” so the day is off to a very good start!
@amyintucson, Like Sue, I’m interested in learning more about use of UV light and sanitizing wands. Thanks for adding to your post. I may google to learn more.

@sueinmn, Thanks for your input and positive experience with your mom’s sr. living option. I was amazed to receive in the mail yesterday 4 small dessert cakes from one of the two sr. living facilities my daughter and I toured in Boulder area. That option will probably be what I choose and Balfour’s mktg team surely knows how to “reach” prospective new residents!

@funcountess, I Love figs! How dare those diabolical squirrels and rabbits! Will send you a slingshot when I figure out how to make one!

@fiesty76 Love that video and listening to others now . Sounds like the one close to your daughter is perfect for you . Let me know if this is what you decide to do . I will look into Alert 1 I had one once but it was only in apt so I got rid of it . I want one that will work when Im out Walking .

Hi, everyone! I have to agree, I like having a virtual group walking with me. Thought of all of you when I was walking the trails this morning. 🤗. And now we’re starting week 10, or is it week #11? Whatever, it will be a good week for everyone, though we’re going in different directions! Let’s have fun!

@becsbuddy Can you not bike due to osteoporosis? I have wondered about that myself. I used to bike a lot but have not in years. I know I still could though, but there is a risk, but there is a risk of falling just walking up the street though too. I definitely will not ski.
We did not walk over the weekend, primarily due to it being very windy but today we will. I just did other indoor exercises on Saturday and Sunday. I think I over-did it on Saturday, I was hurting all over yesterday.

@fiesty76 I may have mentioned this before, but Apple watches also have an alert system if you fall. Last summer when I had a pre-syncope episode and fell it immediately went off and if I had not stopped it, it would have sent emergency help to me. That is a nice option and I must admit, if I am alone it does give me a sense of security.

You are looking for senior options in CO? I forget, where is it you live now? I know my son would love for us to move to that area since he now lives in Denver but I doubt that I would because if he decided to change locations it would put him in a tough position I think, if we had moved there.
JK

I’ve got to tell myself this every day!

@becsbuddy and @contentandwell, I’m not sure the best thread to use to post this…just want to talk, caregivers? Friction between my stage 4 cancer friend’s hubby and daughter continued to escalate with the d. attempting to take over all of friend’s financial and health decisions through legal and medical poa’s. Friend finally issued ultimatum for d. to return to out-of-state home.

It has been a mixed blessing having the d. here to take over the mom’s care…while overly aggressive with medical and home health, it was a relief for me to know my friend was getting needed med. attn. Also d. provided daily healthy meals which was a wonderful comfort.

The d. is emotionally disturbed and needs prof. help and medication. Her erratic mood swings and verbal attacks on both friends became untenable. The d. left after I insisted that friend issue a date and time ultimatum deadline. D., 2 grands and 2 dogs left Sunday.
Yesterday, friends called to say hubby is having progressively painful back problems but doesn’t want to seek immediate med. care. Wanted the name of my kidney specialist. He’s had kidney stone surgery in the past and had told me 2-3 weeks ago that he’d “twisted his back” but nothing since.

Discussion about the need for referral to specialists and being told that friend’s pcp had turned down hubby as “new patient” a couple of yrs ago, had me urging to seek emergency visit to hospital branch where diagnosis and immediate treatment plus referral if needed was refused.

He agreed to check pcp for appt today but wants to “put off” any treatment for another week because of scheduled treatments this week for wife. With my severely compromised lungs, I cannot spend the night with wife if he requires surgery but suggested hiring a home sitter who could also make meals through current home health group if needed.

Guess I am just needing to “vent”. There are no magic bullets but am feeling that elderly hubby is unequipped to handle all that will be required of him now. Also feeling stressed because I no longer feel safe making face-to-face contact with them because of weekly cancer treatments, home health workers, and their exposure to others. Thanks for listening. Let’s hope I can persuade him to seek immediate help today. Don’t know if anything could burst like appendix but need to get through to him that he needs to be in top form for ongoing care of his beloved. A prayer for us would be appreciated.

@contentandwell, Yes, my neighbor was wearing her Apple watch when she had a terrible fall in her garage. Thank goodness, her adult son saw her and called 911. The watch did not send the help signal. Perhaps, the watch wasn’t programmed correctly? This happened after the stay-at-home-order and she hasn’t yet taken it back to the store?

@cindiwass…Wearing your cell phone around neck is another enterprising idea to use as an alternate way to summon help. One advantage of the Alert 1 system is that it is waterproof so can be worn while bathing.
I have owned my home in TX for many years and have great neighbors who have lived at our end of the street for decades as well. I share the same concern you have about making a move to Boulder/Denver area because my family moved there from IL this past August. My sil loves the challenge of trying new career options and another move for them would complicate things for me as well.

@lilypaws, Unfortunately, like your dear husband, there are many who don’t understand the value of wearing masks. Seems like there was an earlier thread about how to explain good reasons for wearing masks, especially in hospitals or crowded areas?

@lioness, I got so excited by a Bonnie Bell ad stating that “starter plants” could be ordered and shipped directly to homes. However, their costs were far higher than I want to pay at this time. Home Depot has advertised home deliveries as well but not sure about the inclusion of plants and the min. order is rather steep. That may be my best option though.

@jeanette527, Great idea! “I also have my advance directive on the spare end table by the bed.” I’ve been wondering how to alert EMS to my DNR and advance directive if summoned. I’ll put mine on a credenza in entry that fronts the front door. Thank you!
Also liked your idea for putting your cell phone in the waterproof packet while working outside. Such creative people gather here! Smiles

Oh, Wow! @robbie, this photo is gorgeous!

@becsbuddy, Becky, I need to post this all over my house!!! Thank you!

@gingerw, I’m agreeing with @contentand well 200%. Congrats on all you do and manage. Sigh…how I would love to be growing some of your blackberries. Just received a Mrs. Smiths cobbler in grocery delivery yesterday…maybe ¼ left after first 30 minutes??? Vbg

@funcountess, I’m with you on the hardscaping. I had patterned concrete installed in front yard with several flower beds and only a curving bed of New England asters and 2 trees remaining. It has been worth every penny spent. Another great boon for me was installing irrigation sytem for both front and back. It can be set for individ beds or to automatic for running all stations.
https://birdslife.co.uk/why-wont-birds-come-to-my-feeder/
@zeiracorp, Thank you for the link to this excellent hummingbird site! https://birdslife.co.uk/why-wont-birds-come-to-my-feeder/
Great new suggestions..set out more feeders/both sun & shade; perhaps the best is that nectar can be refrig’d for up to 2 weeks…what a time saver! Will add red streamers to tree for enticement. Also didn’t know that those pesky males were arriving first and “guarding” their territory..lol