Things you find difficult as you get older

Staying awake past 8.30pm. It wasn't always this way.

Sometimes I nod off during The Archers then I have to log on to Catch Up.

Exactly same has happened to me.

Shopping has become a drag which I now dread -not helped by a rerouted or cancelled bus service over the last three weeks.
I'm going to make an effort to restore my physical fitness ,but it's not easy.

Gingster

Putting duvet covers on.

Treat yourself to a set of 4 giant plastic clothes pegs - I found mine on Amazon.
Then you just feed a bottom corner of the duvet into a bottom corner of the cover, secure with a peg. Repeat with the other bottom corner, then ditto the 2 top corners.
Give it a really good shake, fasten buttons or poppers, shake again.
I have often changed a superkingsize on my own with the pegs.

Getting out of the bath is becoming increasingly difficult as well

This is exactly why DH and I opted for a walk in shower a couple of years ago. It was a game changer.

Nanannotgrandma

Make sure you have regular well man checks. If you are getting breathless when bending go for a health check with your GP practice

Yes, I second that. Someone I know went to see his doctor because of breathlessness and it saved his life.

Make sure you have regular well man checks. If you are getting breathless when bending go for a health check with your GP practice

Making phone calls and it's something I used to do all the time years ago.

At 73 I have spinal stenosis and stage 4 kidney disease, which means that my legs ache a lot and I can't manage stairs as I used to do.

Still, I am blessed with a great husband, two children and three grandchildren who light up my life. Things could be much worse.

A lot of things you can control as you age - and many of us don't or won't........mobility, strength and balance are things we can all help with by keeping healthy and fit. However, when health issues are a problem or circumstances dictate otherwise then it becomes another story and life becomes harder. However, try doing things differently and thinking outside the box. If you can't do your tyres then get someone else to do them before it becomes an impossible issue. I remember when garages used to have someone to help fill your car......pump up your tyres......whatever happened to those? I'd gladly pay someone a small amount to do these things. Garage forecourts please wake up!

I will be eighty in a couple of months and that’s presenting me with a real mental barrier. I’ve never really thought of myself as ‘old’ until this year. I have one artificial hip and the other is shot, but I walk as much as I can in an effort not to lose the mobility I have but it’s a struggle sometimes. I have the beginnings of arthritis in my hands and join the others who say opening things is a real problem! All you can do is play to your strengths and soldier on.

Decline really noticeable at 80 and now at 85 feeling really vulnerable.

Opening a packet of bacon is a challenge to me as are most of the meals for one from Waitrose or M&S which I decant as I don't relish microplastics leeching into my food. I can spend 30 minutes removing all the plastic packaging.

Sleep

I second that. Reaching for things in the supermarket now that I have shrunk two inches!

Putting duvet covers on.

Is all very well talking about a healthy diet/exercise and a positive attitude to life etc as we get older but life is a lottery, my DH was playing football, running, and hill walking in his seventies, kept his mind agile playing chess and ate very healthily, never smoked, never drank, then had a massive stroke. Now he is a shadow of his former self and can only do something if I help him with it, and sometimes can’t do it then either.
If you are older and healthy enough to enjoy life fully do it as much as you can for as long as you can, it really is later than you think.

I was fine until I had a major fall knocking myself out, and since then everything has seemed like effort - my balance is off, my energy levels mean that I cannot do more than 3-4 hours of anything without a sit down, possibly a nap even.

Bending down makes me dizzy.

Threading needles.

MawsRosie

I’m afraid I don’t think “past 50” and “getting older” belong in the same sentence.

If (s)he thinks 50 feels old, (s)he has got a couple of decades to find out..... <lol>

(I should add that I'm 74).

Thirdinline

I’m 65 and did happen to notice, last time I clipped my toenails that this task was more of a challenge than previously. I get cramp a lot more as I age, which doesn’t help. It might be that my Pilates teacher takes August off. Hopefully once I’m back in the swing of regular Pilates classes my flexibility will return.

My problem is seeing my toenails! I have to position myself carefully on the sofa with my glasses on, and even then I need good light...
I've been going to the gym for around a year now and do feel fitter, though I don't do any of the cardio or aerobics stuff. Definitely steadier on my feet anyway. The gym has definitely helped with my back, no sign of Sciatica and rarely cramp either.

I was fine until I was 75 despite serious illness. Now at 80 I’m finding most of the things mentioned difficult and will add in getting going in the morning and making meals that I actually enjoy. I’m not sure whether my cooking skills have gone west or my tastebuds.

Watermeadow. Know what you mean. There’s an opportunity for someone on Dragons Den. A secure fastening for dog harness. Walking sandles and I am sure other items. That is easy to open with stiff or cold fingers

Grandchildren have started to exhaust me. I am 75. A day with a super inquisitive, energetic beautiful grand daughter who seems always to be hungry is tiring. After a 9 hour day looking after her last week I couldn’t think of! I haven’t mentioned the other younger two who come on another day.