The Normal Aging Process And Frailty Risk

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It’s hard to imagine arriving at that age where you start a conversation regaling people with your latest doctor’s appointments. Lots of us arrive there, however. Sometimes it’s a necessity, like when a child takes over a parent’s health logistics. But mostly we joke how we’ll never be that person, when in reality, we know, deep down, we are destined to become precisely that person.

Starting in our 50s, my cohort would begin conversations with the runup to the above that we call the “organ recital.” It amused us to share that our bodies had become far more “parts-and-labor” intensive as we aged. Even remaining active has a price in worn out parts and overuse injuries. Sometimes, remaining healthy requires a little luck, in addition to diligent attention to sleep, stress, food, and exercise.

It’s normal for our bodies to change as we age.  Even active people lose muscle mass, get a little slower, lose lung capacity and question their balance. And with that aging comes a need to make accommodations so we don’t hurt ourselves. 

Because I do take care of myself, and I’ve been a lifelong exerciser, I’ve had an advantage over others in their 50s, 60s and 70s who are addressing issues of aging. My challenge? I’m short, so I’ve always had to ask people to help me reach things on high shelves or grab a stepstool: an accommodation. Each of us needs to become aware of what accommodations are appropriate, preferably before we have an accident.

Just last month, I moved some furniture around; specifically, relocating an ottoman to the front entry hall, a concession to becoming wobbly (occasionally) when putting on my shoes while standing. “Would it really hurt to sit down like a normal person?” I asked myself. The answer was a resounding “No.”

The biggest challenge of frailty is that, unlike medical expenses and long-term care costs, it can’t all be transferred to an insurer.  What isn’t covered by insurance we must keep and self-pay from our own pockets.

Ouch.

Think about some of these out-of-pocket costs and challenges to our independence:

• Paying for a driver to take us longer distances, at night or in foul weather

• Reorganizing rooms to put things, high or low, that once were (but are no

  longer) in reach

• Renovating bathtubs into showers or shower stalls into zero-entry walk-in designs

• Adding ramps to entrances and driveways and widening door frames to accommodate rollators or wheelchairs

• Hiring cleaning, cooking or home maintenance services for assistance with what we can’t (or shouldn’t) do any longer

Sometimes accommodations sneak up on us in the form of conveniences. Dr. Joe Coughlin retells the story of the origin of the OXO housewares brand, whose founders designed an oval potato peeler that was easier for mildly arthritic hands to grip. The advent of design thinking—user-centric collaborative methodology—has yielded all kinds of technology for convenience and accommodation. And why are we so creative suddenly? Because we are faced with an increasingly aging and disabled population.

By 2029, there will be more of us over 65 than are under 18. I have a feeling you’ll never look at your potato peeler the same way again now that you know it’s an accommodation for your age.  

Beyond this, as we age, our location becomes increasingly important to accommodate maintaining our health and addressing frailty.  Think about some of these community aspects and how they affect your overall health:

• Are you living in a community that supports aging in place? Do you have safe parks and sidewalks?

• Can you cross a road to go shopping? Are the crossing signals long enough for you to get across the road before cross traffic is honking at you?

• Can you carry your own bags? Do you need a strolling shopper?

• Does the weather make it difficult to be outside?

• Is there a community of people who are your people? Are you able to find things to do that you’re passionate about? Is family near you in an emergency?

Ryan Frederick points out that where we live drives our habits. And we’ve all been hearing that the secrets of Blue Zones—the longevity corridors—are that everyone in the community stays in motion.  We should be lobbying like crazy for pedestrian bridges and ADA compliance in all our communities because we are the ones who will be using these one day.

Change is hard. Considering changing our communities is also hard.  Even changing homes and remaining in the community is hard. But sometimes staying in place is downright dangerous to our health. And we should be thinking about this as we determine where we want to live as we age. What’s more, we should be thinking generationally about how we can get what we need and provide a benefit to our family, making a win-win for everyone.

We fight for our independence. And we should never give up without a fight. But we should also recognize that sensible aging means giving ourselves permission to spend some of the money we’ve saved on services we should no longer do, accommodations we should make, and staying safe so that we can age comfortably.  It’s the reason why I always told my clients the answer to “What should I invest in?” is always, “Your health.”

Last item from me on this:  I’m back in the gym after a long hiatus due to suffering the past year with an osteoarthritic neck.

Luckily, it’s on the mend.  But the MRI says it’s never going to be a 30-year-old neck again. And I encourage myself and everyone to make peace with these things. I will do the lifting I love, but with different tools and at different intensity than before. I will change my workout to prioritize balance (cervical stuff is wonky that way) and mobility. (I use LornaFit videos if you’re interested.  She’s an over-50 World Kettlebell champion. What’s not to love?) I will continue to move every day. But I will expect myself to be the best I can be in this decade, and not in my slightly romanticized youth. 

Reading:  Ryan Frederick www.here.life  Right Place, Right Time

Dr. Joe Coughlin, The Longevity Economy, Unlocking the World’s Fastest Growing, Most Misunderstood Market

Using:  LornaFit Video membership www.lornafit.com (no payment was received for this referral)

Copyright Madrina Molly, LLC 2024

The information contained herein and shared by Madrina Molly™ constitutes financial education and not investment or financial advice.

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