Navigating senior years.

[Donstar]

Next door live two teens, 16 & 18.  Soon after we moved into this house twelve years ago, we became ex-officio grandparents to these two.   This past weekend we were asked to write a character reference letter for the eldest who is preparing for college. This request had us reflecting over this individual's history from the ages of 6 -18.   S/he is a very nice individual and we had plenty of good to write about.  What surprises us is the "not so good" stuff both of these children have missed.  They were homeschooled by helicopter parents and their best friends are mum & dad.    My wife and I had loving parents but our respective 6-18 years are riddled with lifelong lessons learned on our own and/or "the hard way".  We don't know what we don't know but I feel sorry for children who are overly protected.  The teen years are when poor choices often serve as valuable forgivable, never to be forgotten, lessons!    

[diyer2]

My opinion.

Sheltered kids have a hard time when reality hits them in the face.

[Donstar]

I agree^^.  Adolescence is a time of preparing for independence.  Delaying this transition will be problematic for the child and parent. However, there is no guarantee a child will successfully navigate adolescence no matter how we parent.  Most of us know an older couple who are housing a 30+ year old child in their basement/upper floor.  These situations are typically financial arrangements to "help" the offspring. (There are multi-generational arrangements that are beneficial to all but theses situations are not that.)   One of our 40+ year old children thinks help and money are synonymous and the bank of mum & dad is a lifelong resource.  We will never succumb to the temptation to "take-care" of this child through sharing our home.  Doing so doesn't help anyone.

[Donstar]

"Do you follow politics?"  My hygienist asked me this while he was scaling my teeth yesterday morning.  I thought this question was very outdated.  It once was a common question used to initiate a conversation but now belongs in the realm of, "Do you own a cell phone?"  I could argue over the word "follow" being an unvoluntary or voluntary act but I doubt you will find anyone unable to have a current political opinion.  Besides, who the he** asks a question like this when the person you're asking has your hands in his mouth???  I understand the desire to communicate but please keep the discussion where a grunt or a nod will suffice as a response!  At least when my hair cutter talks about her ex and current boyfriends I am entertained!  

[KARNUT]

23 minutes ago, Donstar said:

"Do you follow politics?"  My hygienist asked me this while he was scaling my teeth yesterday morning.  I thought this question was very outdated.  It once was a common question used to initiate a conversation but now belongs in the realm of, "Do you own a cell phone?"  I could argue over the word "follow" being an unvoluntary or voluntary act but I doubt you will find anyone unable to have a current political opinion.  Besides, who the he** asks a question like this when the person you're asking has your hands in his mouth???  I understand the desire to communicate but please keep the discussion where a grunt or a nod will suffice as a response!  At least when my hair cutter talks about her ex and current boyfriends I am entertained!  

You really can’t have a political conversation with people anymore. Especially if someone has their hands in your mouth. Certain political leaning people yell and scream and start name calling if you don’t agree. I just talk about cars. 

[customboss]

2 hours ago, KARNUT said:

Certain political leaning people yell and scream and start name calling if you don’t agree.

I feel ya. Was at VA DENVER and a Vietnam vet in a wheel chair screamed at me for not supporting deconstructing the constitution. 

[Grumpy Bear]

I'm stunned over the number and verity of definitions various dictionaries give for the word Politics. 

 

One many dictionaries share: 

 

[Quote]The art or science of government or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal and external affairs. [Close quote]

 

That one seems pretty innocuous. 

 

These two are trouble makers: Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

 

1.) Politics are also the activities of people who are trying to obtain an advantage within a group or organization:

2.)someone's opinions about how a country should be governed:

 

Opinions by their very nature are not synonymous with either facts or truth. Trouble when we insist they are. 

 

That first one is what it has become. Actively seeking an advantage by whatever means required. That IS NOT THE 'administration of law', "the making of law" or the "assurance laws are in compliance with the Constitution'. But it is now the main providence being sought. A marketing pyramid for power. Men dominating men to their ruin. 

 

Ecclesiastes 8:9

All of this I have seen, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun, during the time that man has dominated man to his harm.

 

 

[Donstar]

I have days when my body protests to a point that standing from a sitting position requires assistance.  "We" have decided that a medical lift chair would be a suitable replacement for my current favourite chair.  I started the search process a few days ago and quickly discovered that this can be a serious investment.  The basic models lure you into the store and for a few dollars more....  I'm sure a reader or two have been through the process and I would welcome your recommendations for must have features.

[txab]

I've got one, actually two. One was my mom's, kept when she passed in case I or someone else I know might need it. Then was given one that had some structural issues that were easily corrected. It's a bit larger and fits me more comfortably. Don't require one...... now, but who knows when. The chair was a life saver after having abdominal surgery 5 years ago. My abdominal muscles were so sore from being poked, inflated like a tire, basically stood on my head to accomplish everything. It was the kind of soreness when you're required do do a hundred setups and you've only been doing 10 every once in a while. Thar chair saved my gut when sitting down or getting up.

 

A few things I've learned.

 

Your chair should have a battery backup consisting of either D cell or possible a 9 volt battery stashed in the power supply box. Keep those fresh. Mom got trapped in hers.

 

I added a back-up power supply like you'd use on your computer. Much bigger battery and it is dependable for use.

 

What I find id stupid on these chairs is the hand control. Some are lighted. Great if you're in the dark, not so great as when power is off, they stay on and drain the battery. I switched both my chairs out with a non lighted model toggle model shown below

 

Would suggest if your chair has this type of remote, be prepared to replace it. It has 2 micro switches in it that can and will go bad. My one legged brother can tell you about that. Twice they have failed, with him stuck in the chair

 

 

 

I've used this version as a replacement. Friend has it on his chair and has used it for years and years with no failure yet. He does have a spare stored in the pocket on side. Many chairs use a 2 piece cord with a connector on the side of the chair hidden in the pocket. I've done the same for my "pirate" brother.

 

This model just has a toggle back and forth

 

 

 

 

 

Have a phone nearby in case there is some kind of failure so you can call for help, if you're unable to throw yourself over the side arm of the chair.

 

 

 

The chairs mechanisms are pretty much the same. Just get get correct weight capacity if an issue.

 

Make sure seat cushion and seat back are comfy. Some start out feeling ok, but after a bit your ass or back protest

 

 

Edited March 9, 2025 by txab

[Donstar]

I have decided on a lift chair model that is found in a couple of our local medical supply stores. One store offers great customer support along with higher prices and the other store is the opposite.  I will see if the former will price match.   My choice is in the mid-range of the manufacturer's lineup.  Several years ago I owned two of my mother's lift chairs but decided I'd likely buy my own if there was a future need. Her chairs screamed medical device and would not be used by others if she wasn't around. I unloaded hers and I have picked a chair that I'll likely have to fight for when my kids and grandkids visit!   

[KARNUT]

54 minutes ago, Donstar said:

I have decided on a lift chair model that is found in a couple of our local medical supply stores. One store offers great customer support along with higher prices and the other store is the opposite.  I will see if the former will price match.   My choice is in the mid-range of the manufacturer's lineup.  Several years ago I owned two of my mother's lift chairs but decided I'd likely buy my own if there was a future need. Her chairs screamed medical device and would not be used by others if she wasn't around. I unloaded hers and I have picked a chair that I'll likely have to fight for when my kids and grandkids visit!   

I’ve mentioned in different threads that we rarely buy new furniture. Around here there’s plenty of yard or moving sales that offer quality furniture for a fraction of new. Years ago my wife had me pick up a recliner that had a standup feature by remote. Something to consider?

[Donstar]

I definitely have considered buying a used lift chair.  I remember trying to sell my mom's chairs and discovered a used lift chair sells for a small fraction of its original cost.   We have found a new product that will compliment our existing furniture which helps justify the price difference.  Warranty and hygienic  concerns also aid in our decision.  Unfortunately, we've put any major purchase on hold until the external dust settles.  I go in for surgery in April and might rent or buy a used clean and inexpensive chair just for the time it takes me to recover.  

[KARNUT]

34 minutes ago, Donstar said:

I definitely have considered buying a used lift chair.  I remember trying to sell my mom's chairs and discovered a used lift chair sells for a small fraction of its original cost.   We have found a new product that will compliment our existing furniture which helps justify the price difference.  Warranty and hygienic  concerns also aid in our decision.  Unfortunately, we've put any major purchase on hold until the external dust settles.  I go in for surgery in April and might rent or buy a used clean and inexpensive chair just for the time it takes me to recover.  

I wasn’t suggesting to buy a used lift chair. Only that we had a lift recliner we bought used that stood you up. I was in my twenties at the time and was surprised it was electric. And really surprised when it stood me up. I figured the term medical lift chair would add considerable cost. When a lift recliner may fill the bill. 

[Donstar]

23 hours ago, KARNUT said:

I wasn’t suggesting to buy a used lift chair. Only that we had a lift recliner we bought used that stood you up. I was in my twenties at the time and was surprised it was electric. And really surprised when it stood me up. I figured the term medical lift chair would add considerable cost. When a lift recliner may fill the bill. 

I appreciate the suggestion.  I found that the medical stores offer a far better selection of recliner lift chairs than furniture stores. However, the medical designation does appear to add to the price.  The lift feature meets an anticipated need but I want a comfortable chair suitable for extended periods of use.  I also want it to appeal to others.  I remember how company would avoid my "mother's chair" even if she wasn't home.   I want to have to kick people out of my chair when I enter the room!  

[Donstar]

I remember my childhood fascination with the likes of Astronaut John Glenn going to outer space and orbiting the earth.  For the past couple of days I've been fascinated by recent YouTubes of the activities surrounding the ISS.  I marvel at the individuals who actively seek and qualify to be an astronaut.  Their mental and physical strengths far exceed us mere mortals!  I particularly enjoy the the videos of everyday life on the space station.  Howard Wolowitz's version of life on the ISS was entertaining but far from reality.  The coursework on using the toilet in zero gravity would be enough to scuttle any of my space travel aspirations!