Are there many, some, a few of us over 50??

[bcipam]

Pops unfortunately has dementia and is also hard of hearing... it's so hard to be around him anymore. Poor thing.

[Maureen Valley]

64, here....but who's counting?

Maureen
Florida

[Bad JuJu]

I'm on my second parent with Alzheimer's disease, and it's not only dreadfully disheartening to watch them go through it and bloody hard work to be a caregiver, but also a frightening prospect for my brother and me to think about in terms of our own aging.

It's true that there are nasty things out there that can grab us as we age, despite our best efforts. But it's also up to us to do what we can to avoid as many of them as possible--to control what we CAN control. And while aging brings on more concerns of this kind, I also find it liberating in many ways. I'm less concerned about what others think of me, less interested in trends, more forgiving with family and friends, and more connected with my own needs and desires. Life's too short to waste time being joyless!

[Bad JuJu]

64, here....but who's counting?

Maureen
Florida

I was wondering when you would weigh in, Maureen!

[mimitabby]

I'm on my second parent with Alzheimer's disease, and it's not only dreadfully disheartening to watch them go through it and bloody hard work to be a caregiver, but also a frightening prospect for my brother and me to think about in terms of our own aging.

It's true that there are nasty things out there that can grab us as we age, despite our best efforts. But it's also up to us to do what we can to avoid as many of them as possible--to control what we CAN control. And while aging brings on more concerns of this kind, I also find it liberating in many ways. I'm less concerned about what others think of me, less interested in trends, more forgiving with family and friends, and more connected with my own needs and desires. Life's too short to waste time being joyless!

My father's alzheimers went on forever because he was such a healthy man. He walked for HOURS every day for almost 20 years before he slowed down.
all he needed was a new brain and he could have lived to be 100.
Alzh got him at age 82.

[Susan126]

Nice to see gals out there my age riding! I am 52, will be 53 the end of February. When I turned the big five O I did three big rides that year (something to prove to myself?) . . . RAMROD, Tour de Blast, and Pedal the Pinchot.

I grew up in a small suburban town on the banks of the Allegheny River just northeast of Pittsburgh. I remember riding my bike with my friends for all of our town's parades. Decked out with handlebar tassles, cards in the spokes, and ringing bicycle bells. I must admit I had a great childhood! Growing up in the 60s was awesome!

[mimitabby]

Nice to see gals out there my age riding! I am 52, will be 53 the end of February. When I turned the big five O I did three big rides that year (something to prove to myself?) . . . RAMROD, Tour de Blast, and Pedal the Pinchot.

I grew up in a small suburban town on the banks of the Allegheny River just northeast of Pittsburgh. I remember riding my bike with my friends for all of our town's parades. Decked out with handlebar tassles, cards in the spokes, and ringing bicycle bells. I must admit I had a great childhood! Growing up in the 60s was awesome!

Susan, you did RAMROD?!??!?! I don't know anything about Pedal the Pinchot
and little about Tour de Blast (except that a friend couldn't finish it) but Ramrod? That is one tough ride! more power to you. I wish you were coming up to our NW ride that goes to the Ale house Saturday so we could meet you. Not everyone there will be drinking.

[Susan126]

My husband claims that was the year I went a little overboard! I have since tuned it down a notch. Right now I am trying to get back in shape after a hard winter and little riding last year because of bunion surgery. I would love to join you on your NW ale house ride but hubby and I are committed on Saturday to a friend's mountain bike ride. He is leading it and we told him we would be there. I seriously do hope to meet you gals this year! Our weather can only get better . . . right?

[SandyLS]

Mimi, Your Dad sounds like mine, he was a swimmer, walked 7 miles a day, ate lots of fruits and veggies. He was diagnosed at 80 seven years ago. We were counting on my mom to help look after him but she was diagnosed with with Alzheimers two years ago. My sister and I are doing what we can to care for them in the home they have lived in for 43 years, but it is increasingly difficult even with the help of hospice. Everytime I misplace my keys I wonder if it is happening to me.
I will be 60 in April and plan on doing my second DALMAC tour in Aug.
http://www.biketcba.org/DALMAC/dframe.html

[mimitabby]

Everytime I misplace my keys I wonder if it is happening to me.
I will be 60 in April and plan on doing my second DALMAC tour in Aug.
http://www.biketcba.org/DALMAC/dframe.html

You sound awesome. and I can really relate to your self doubts. We are both that way (Dh and I) his mother's got it too!!
good luck with your parents. getting old can be really tough.

[ClockworkOrange]

It must be so sad when parents are struck down with Alzheimers, to see them alter so much, I should think literally a shadow of their former selves. Equally when illness forces them to be hospitalised, the worry must be such a strain on their relatives.

I do not have that worry, unfortunately my Dad died when I was ten years old and my Mum when I was 28. Neither do I have any brothers or sisters, I don't even have any uncles or aunts left. Thankfully I have one smashing son and his fiancée plus my gorgeous grandson.

Over the years when I listen to friends moaning about their parents with regards to trivial things, I often think............if only!

Sally

[bcipam]

Not only is it sad to see once sharp and intelligent parents bcome confused and addled, I also now have the fear the same thing will happen to me. Growing old really sucks!

[ClockworkOrange]

Not only is it sad to see once sharp and intelligent parents bcome confused and addled, I also now have the fear the same thing will happen to me. Growing old really sucks!

Pam

Hopefully this will make you chuckle, living in the UK the USA just seems so big and I am rather ignorant of where different places are. Just out of curiosity typed in Tustin, as I had never heard of it, and came up with the following:

Tustin Median resident age: 31.8 years

Apparently 40 years in my area.

Looks like we are way to old for where we live..............

Sally

[mimitabby]

what's the link, Clockwork?

[ClockworkOrange]

what's the link, Clockwork?

Hi mimi

No link in particular, I just do a search on various places, I tend to do this with most postings, it is just nice to get a feel of whereabouts in the world somebody lives.

This particular search came up with:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Tustin-California.html

Hope you are OK.

Sally