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For me, it is trying to stand back up from a squatting position. This physical movement seem to appear rather quickly. I have to have the cat litter boxes right next to a waist high cabinet so I can push myself up. So weird, as I used to be a gym rat for decades until I had to stop to help out my parents.

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At 66 the thing that surprised me was: "How did I get here so fast?" It seems everything that I'd wanted to do and kept putting off until "later" never materialized and here it is: "later". It's unlikely I'll get do those things, and honestly, I don't even want to do them anymore. I don't seem to be able to retain information the way I used to and my problem solving ability seems to be circling the drain. Just hoping that it's not a sign of imminent dementia. The other thing that sucks about getting old is realizing that though I'm doing my darndest to take care of my 94-year old mom, that there's going to be no one, zippo, zilch to help me out should I reach that age. It's disturbing and depressing.
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Animallovers Nov 2022
At 64 with a 91 yr old mother and no kids I know just how you feel!
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I am 67. I used to be a goodie two shoes when I was young. I was groomed to be a people pleaser by my mother but had had an epiphany a few years ago that I was a sucker. I have decided life is too short and I should do what I want and not let my life be navigated by other peoples’ demands. For the record my 94 year old mother is not happy with me with the decisions I’ve made but I am trying to live my best life now. Being a senior with most of my good years behind me had made me realize there are no do overs. You go around once.
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I wasn't prepared for losing so many important people in my life.
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I agree it happens too fast. My goodness I am 85!!!

Yet my earlier life seems eons ago. I am very fortunate in not having arthritis, can still do squats, not on many meds, haven't had any surgeries other than tonsils as a preschooler and episiotomies when giving birth. I don't like the changes in my skin, the decreased strength and stamina, increased digestive issues and such.

I hear you ff about knowing were the restrooms are. More of my time is taken up with looking after myself and making adjustments. But I am better at dealing with life and relationships and wouldn't trade that for anything!

I am finally downsizing to a smaller more convenient home and still hope/plan to have some adventures and new experiences.
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Evamar Nov 2022
Golden,
That is inspiring.
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I hate hate hate that my body is failing one little piece at a time.
First it was my eyes - multi focal lenses here we come, but no matter what I do I still can't really see fine details any more.
Then my feet went wonky; I need toe separators and arch supports and metatarsal pads and no sooner do I fix one thing than something else crops up.
Weight gain and muscle loss post menopause - I used to be someone that people hated because I could pig out on anything and never even think about it, now I must be obsessive about getting my 20,000 steps every day or my weight begins to creep up.
I need a jar opener now.
And my back hurts.
I can't balance on one leg to put on my shoes or socks... plus I have trouble even bending that far because my hips just don't want to do that.

This is why getting old isn't for sissies, god help me I'm only 62 and the women in my family tend to live into their 90's!
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I�m dismayed by the fact that even when in respectable health and good fitness, how fast you lose ground if there�s any setbacks, and then how much more time & effort it takes to reclaim what was lost, if even possible.
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What surprises me is how curious, interested and engaged most of us still are at older ages. When younger, we may have expected "old age" to mean inability to function, but that is usually not so. We may need to move more carefully, make some physical accommodations, pay attention to the task at hand, but we have gained the wisdom and experience to adapt to life's changrs.
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Babs75 Nov 2022
Our local community college offers free tuition for people over 62. You have to take classes as an 'audit' and you can't sign up until the first day of class and only if there is still space available, but I've truly enjoyed learning new stuff.
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A nurse reminded me “These are not the ‘golden years’. They are the rusty years. Things keep rusting away.” And what surprises me every day is looking down at crepey skin on my my hands and realizing there is less time left than I’ve lived.
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I never dreamed being 65 meant being the caregiver to my soon to be 90 year old dad. I thought that was the age to enjoy retirement. This is so much harder than an 8 hour a day job. I haven't had a day off in 9 months.
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At 83, I am the primary caregiver for my 100 year old husband, I am physically TIRED all the time and look forward to an afternoon nap most days. I keep forgetting that Im 83 and plan my days with much more activity than I have the ability to do without getting very tired. But probably the biggest problem I am having is that I have much more anxiety than is comfortable. I have always lived my life as an adventurous, free spirit. Now my anxiety makes me question everything I do in advance. That is a big change and makes me feel old. I live in a suburb within an hour of New York City, and on a whim would just take the train in to do something. Once a friend told me she was going to a museum and I decided on the spur of the moment to go with her, rushed home, changed my clothes and met her at the train on time to go. The day before yesterday, I met my cousin in the city for lunch. I checked the train schedule about 3 times to make sure I'd get there in time. I felt so anxious and out of breath walking to the station that I asked a woman I passed on the street and didnt know for a lift. (I was about 2 blocks away). I had a problem figuring out how to purchase the ticket from the machine as it was a new system. After all this, my train was cancelled, and I had to call my cousin to change the time. I was totally unrelaxed!!! I wound up sleeping on the train. On arrival, walking through the train station, which has been recently renovated was confusing and irritating, as was walking in the streets from the station to the restaurant because every street was undergoing construction. The noise and chaos made me feel anxious. Luckily, I had a lovely lunch with my cousin who perceives me to be in miraculous shape. Ha! On the way back, I felt the same anxiety. Then the escalator to the track was going at such a fast pace that I was afraid to get on. I decided if I made one false misstep I could see myself falling to the bottom, and at that point no one else was getting on. There was no elevator around, so I walked down what turned out to be 28 steps to get to the track. I have decided it is not worth it for me to make these trips, and will do more things locally. But as a person who in the past traveled everywhere in the world, and often on her own as my husband was not a passionate traveler, I have to accept the fact that I am feeling vulnerable and very anxious, and am no longer the free spirit I was. I know I am anxious, drained and tired from caregiving, but also I have to admit my age is probably the main contributor. I really feel OLD!!!!
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NeedHelpWithMom Nov 2023
Wow!

It sounds like you are staying active though, which is a good thing!

It is fabulous to have good public transportation. Subways and trains are easier than driving everywhere!

Naps are nice in the afternoon.
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