You're still pretty vibrant, Glenda! I'm glad you are installing some items to make your life even better.

I understand completely! You might want to consider one of these. I had one in the other house. Very easy to put on. I much preferred it to a riser seat. More sanitary.

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/medline-adjustable-toilet-safety-rails/ID=prod3945763-product

It’s great you are having these things installed rather than risk a fall. You seem very active to me. I know you have your water aerobics group. Have you tried yoga or Pilates to help with flexibility and balance?

I always say is that growing older beats the alternative....

That being said, I threw myself a pity party the other day when I fell into a pile of boxes (dont ask) and it took me about 5 minutes and several different maneuvers to get up off the floor. And it hurt to do so. No flexibility. I was horrified.

And I am only 34. :(

Aging is definitely not for sissies. We had a wedding anniversary this week, and we were reminiscing about the early years. We concluded we had more dark hair (or in my hubby's case more hair,) and fewer things that hurt.

I've had those things for a while already Glenda (except for the rails, there are no steps), plus I have a walker just in case, because some days I have knee issues. I love my shower chair. And my special needs tricycle which hopefully gets delivered today will allow me to keep on cycling. I think there is still a lot of fun to be had even with these aging accessories around the house.

None of us are getting old alone. I'm glad you are using safety features. I think if you feel safe and steady you're more apt to keep moving. I have always loved hearing about your water aerobics. I wish I had somewhere to do that, easy on the joints.

Take care Glenda.

Glad you are being proactive with all of this. I think you know there are still many things you can do to strengthen your stamina.

"Team Glenda"

All I can say Glenda is that you are WAY more active than I am-I really envy you and what all you have done,are still doing and will continue to do.

The safety features that you have added are a very smart move-there is certainly no shame in what you are doing for your own safety,and the safety of your visitors.

Keep your young, wonderful state of mind Glenda....and the rest will just follow along.

I'm convinced that just as children go through growth spurts, we go through aging spurts. I had one recently. Ugh. But Glenda, you are a great role model with all your activities and friends!

Glenda, sorry to hear that. Just a suggestion that worked for me, try ALIVE vitamins for women over 50 which you can purchase at CVS or Walgrens, even Walmart. They perk you right up again. Also you may have a sluggish thyroid which slows down the body. Perhaps check it out?

I'm turning 80 this summer, and my dearest friend will be 91. She amazes everyone with her get up and go attitude, even her doctor.

Friend does wear the alert neck piece and it makes her feel secure now that she's alone.

I need to get one.

Thank you all for your kind words and suggestions.

Glenda, I think you are being smart to utilize the tools that are available to help you stay safe and active. So many older people refuse to use things such as safety rails, canes, walkers, etc., even though doing so would allow them to continue participating in many of their activities.

My MIL lived into her 90s and was always busy. Her motto was "keep moving or end up not being able to move at all".

You go, girl!

Here is my take as someone who is not there yet, but headed there. Safety features are not signs of age but functional decor. I am hoping to be as active as you.

As my sister (78) says to me (70) frequently: "move it or lose it!!" She goes to the gym 3x a week and travels extensively. I just garden professionally and walk the dog but I have bad knees and a bad ankle and should be doing more. Stairs are a bit of a nightmare for me. My brother (80) still plays handball 3x a week!!

btw, we all three live alone but none of us have any safety features in our homes.....yet.

I admire you, Glenda. :) And I'm glad you're looking after yourself.

Glenda, I, too, will be hitting the big eight-oh this summer. And to be perfectly honest, it is the first time a birthday number has bothered me! Due to health issues that began in my late 20's, I have always been very thankful for every birthday I've had. But suddenly, I feel old. I do have some mobility issues, and balance is a real problem. I've been using a cane for a few years now, it's amazing how much it helps with balance. And because I trip so easily, I have a walker that I use when in the yard. It's one of those with a seat, so it does double duty as a 'cart'. I can use it to carry a laundry basket, or other things that ordinarily take both hands to carry.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I think you are smart to utilize the "functional decor" (love that term!). Whatever it takes to keep us going and independent as long as possible!!! Cheers! ! !

Rusty

Glenda I'm right there with you and I'm glad you are getting safety things installed to protect yourself and make life easier. Similar to the one Raven posted, I have the handicapped toilet seat thing with the arms, but also have a thick foam padded toilet seat cover...much softer than the hard regular seat. I have canes and walkers. I have grab bars on the wall between our dining room and living room where there is a step down. My shower is a handicapped shower with a built in seat. Make sure you have a good rubber mat for the floor of the shower. A pair of grabbers, several in fact, come in very handy for reaching things above you or something you dropped to the floor. Yes, we are aging, but thankful for each day of life God grants us.

Glenda, when I grow up, I want to be like you.

We learn to make adjustments all through our lives. It's great that there are things available to assist when our 'parts' (inevitably) wear out.

We installed a tall toilet in my mom's house last summer. No riser seat or potty chair over the commode. It looks very nice and is easy for her to use. We also installed a grab bar beside it for a little extra help.

Have had the riser for 2 weeks. It's helped, but a higher toilet is on my agenda. Am also getting a grab bar to try without the riser and see if that helps, before I make the purchase.

Small bathroom, so there is not space to use adjustable safety rails. I have looked and looked and non will work.

DID try today, for the first time, the rails, when I went out today. Such a difference they make in going down and up the two steps I have outside. YEA!

Neighbor watched me just to make sure I was ok! Love my sweet neighbors.

I like your bar next to the steps. I'm ALL for a little extra help. Your a smart lady Glenda!

I think it is great that it has taken you this long to come to this sort of realization. I'm not yet 70 and already feel old. I did have grab bars installed in my bathroom last year, but that's partly because I wanted to have them installed for my brother's bathroom (He is 15 years younger) following his colon cancer surgery. I also bought a teak stool for his bathtub, and I think he likes/uses it.

Some people (like my brother) can feeling aging symptoms in their early 50s.

A lot of people actually do get old alone (if they outlive their friends), and so it is great to still have friends and a support group. You are very inspirational. I think the grab bar you installed at your steps is very attractive, and I appreciate them when I see them.

I have started collecting canes/walking sticks, and so far for now, they are decorative, but I am planning for my future. I do use the walking sticks during hikes, but the canes are just decorative at the moment.

Glenda, as one Alabaman to another, consider how hot that metal grab bar will be in a few months. As good looking as it is, you may want to consider wrapping it with something that won't hold the heat. And DO get that medical alert! Ask me how I know.

You GO GIRL! You're an inspiration to me at just turned 69! If I make it to 80, my oldest Grandkid of 7 will be 31 and the youngest 11. Keep us updated about Parke Jr.! My eldest Grand is in the Air Force.

Grab rails is a good idea for healthy people, too.

good for you for being pro active! nothing wrong with some safety measures.

i am also a believer in 'use it or lose it'. especially if you do have an illness or a fall. the more in shape you are, the quicker the recovery.

ask your primary doctor if you would qualify from an O.T. visit or two. they are a wonderful resource for home safety and improved quality of life!

Glenda, throughout my time at the KT I have come to admire and respect you. Somehow though I didn't realize your age which surprised me. You are a inspiration to all of us. It's great that you are proactive with your mobility needs...You will go forever Glenda...your a tough woman with smarts, strength, and the desire to stay on top.

I agree with those that said don't give up...keep moving...I'm now in a position that I use assistive devices, but everyday I feel weaker, it's harder to get up and move...but I do...I force myself. Of course my family would like to see me down, resting, and I do, but not for long...I must keep going or I won't go again.

As we age, or become ill...listen to your body...and move....

Thank you Glenda.

We put a grab bar at the top right of my sis in laws steep stairs so that when you let go of the bannister to unlock the door or turn the door knob you have something to grasp. She said it's the BEST. Actually, I did nothing but watch but I came up with the idea.

Glenda. good that you are paying attention to your need for a little help with your daily functions.

And for all others, go back and look at Glenda's picture. The original hand rail is totally useless for someone who really needs one when navigating steps. Yet nearly every home has one like it. It is too wide for most people to get a good grip on. Also when there is just one or 2 steps or even to help one get over a threshold, a simple drawer handle that is screwed into a door frame can be a big help when grasped to pull you up and over.

You are so right on the original hand rails. Going down the two steps, I would have to turn sideways, face the rails and hold on. Going UP, I'd grasp the rails and pull myself up until I felt there HAS to be something else.

Maintenance man, who is excellent, show me the rails a neighbor's son put in, and she's my age.

WHAT a difference those rails make, amazing!

Next is to put grab bars by the bath tub..

I have the typical iron railing around my front entry and steps. I used to get so frustrated that my husband would grab the little round decorative knob at the top to go down the stairs. Recently I have noticed that rather than just stepping down I too am grabbing the knob and walking sideways down the three steps. Mentioning this because of the comment about the drawer pull. A short vertical grab bar would work similarly. Most grab bars are the same size so finding one that is another size would be difficult.

should have gotten the iron railing, but I bought on the spur of the moment and what I saw first, plus had the maintenance man who had the time to install.

give a few months, I'll probably get the iron.

Hope you get your home situated the way you want it. You're very active and like others said, more so than some people half your age. I hope I'm able to get around half as well as you if I make it to your age, Glenda!

Good going, glenda.

It's easy to say, while staggering, that I don't need that stuff - yet.

A few months ago I had some soreness in a hip, and used uncle's canes (one for going out, the other for going to the barn, that were residual following his death 16 years ago) for a week or so until the hip improved - O.K. now.

There's a walker, that he used for doing chores with cattle following his hip surgeries (he had three - I think on the same hip).

There's a grab bar on a ledge around an old style bathtub, ready for when it's needed. I'll have to ask the landlord if he has a doohicky that'll show us where a stud is to be found.

I'm going to have put the timer in plain sight, so that I'll remember to use it when cooking supper: I have three burned pots ... scraped one out last night, cooked some applesauce ... burned it! So another scraping job on the "to do" list. Ggrrumpp!

I'm trying to teach myself to load goods bought at the store on my left arm ... as I need the right to fish out the car keys: rather a slow learner, I fear.

ole joyfuelled