Navigating senior years.

txab · April 18, 2025

Check with friends and family, perhaps someone might need a chair

customboss · April 18, 2025

4 hours ago, Donstar said:

The company that sent me the wrong chair was nice to talk to and I have time to make a decision. They put a rush on sending out the correct size of chair. They asked me to pack up the wrong one and they will arrange for pickup. They also said if I want to keep the the first chair instead of packing it up, they will sell it to me at their cost. I wouldn't mind having the two chairs as they are good looking and the smaller one would be a perfect fit for Mrs. Donstar. My wife is fine with two recliners in our living room but her comfort is found on the sofa. A recliner isn't a piece of furniture she'd choose for herself. She appreciates the good deal but she'd rather keep the money in the bank! I am dreading packing up the recliner. It was a very efficient pack from the factory and there is a very slim chance that I will be able to replicate the level of Tetris skill required. Ironically, the only way I get compensated for their mistake is if I buy their mistake. They don't lose anything and I spend hours on disassembly, packing, unpacking and assembly! Customer service expressed their appreciation of my understanding in regards to their error but I think I need to see if they can't sweeten the deal!

WIN WIN!!!

Donstar · April 20, 2025

On 4/18/2025 at 11:14 AM, customboss said:

WIN WIN!!!

Exactly! I know I have been offered a very good deal. My wife also appreciates the significant cost saving if we buy both but she also sees the additional expense. It's hard to argue how much money you'll save when negotiating on an item that is not needed!

Donstar · April 20, 2025

On 4/18/2025 at 10:16 AM, txab said:

Check with friends and family, perhaps someone might need a chair

Thank you. We discussed this idea yesterday and will put the offer out there once we're certain of whether we want it or not. I know our next-door friend and neighbour could certainly use a chair like this but likely won't allow the colour into her decor! Most of the other potential candidates would involve us disassembling and packing up the chair for transport which is what we're hoping to avoid.

Silverado4x4 · April 20, 2025

54 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Exactly! I know I have been offered a very good deal. My wife also appreciates the significant cost saving if we buy both but she also sees the additional expense. It's hard to argue how much money you'll save when negotiating on an item that is not needed!

Your right, about 6yrs ago I need a new recliner so we went to Lazy-boy they had one in there that was $725 I got it for $375 or so it was a special order that the customer didn't pick up and the only issue was it was ordered with the handle on the left side instead of the right I didn't care we paid for it and brought it home.

Donstar · April 22, 2025

On 4/18/2025 at 11:14 AM, customboss said:

WIN WIN!!!

You called it! The store manager contacted the owner of the store and together they gave me a deal that was too difficult to refuse. I keep the chair that was sent to me by mistake but I pay the shipping. (The original price had free shipping) Maybe I could have done better and maybe the company could have made more money from getting the chair back but I feel it was a win win! The company expressed embarrassment over their error and I bet their shipping department will be looking at ways to prevent future errors like this. The obvious part is that some human made a mistake. We all do!

Edited April 22, 2025 by Donstar

Donstar · April 23, 2025

A group of older family members were sitting on the porch on Easter Sunday and inevitably the topic of aches and pains emerged. This led to a debate about seniors "always" talking about their health. Most reading this thread have participated in these discussions and have an opinion. Talking about common concerns can be helpful and it is often comforting to know you're not alone. However, I encourage keeping it short and moving on to the good stuff! The people who concern me are those who immediately become vehement about changing the topic away from health. The chances are good that this person needs to be talking! I spoke in confidence to one such person on Sunday and told him a couple of very personal experiences. In turn, he opened the flood gates. There are times we don't want to see the Doctor for fear of the diagnosis. However, there is a chance there is nothing seriously wrong. If there is something seriously wrong, not knowing doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Early detection typically leads to better outcomes.

KARNUT · April 23, 2025

It’s good to use resources available to you for clarity. Even the internet. I can’t remember any older person I grew up around talking about age related issues. I would ask my father in law if he had any pain. Up until he passed he would say no. When I retired at 58 I would see him working around his house in his 80s when I visited. I have a great general practitioner I see yearly to get my blood pressure medicine. I could easily be seeing a specialist for that. As well as a pain management specialist and a physical therapist. My additional insurance company for health care will not leave me alone. Calls every week wanting to do a wellness visit. I could be going weekly somewhere to visit specialist. My wife does for reasons I express before. So that would be two times a week. I’ve learned my body. Know what’s normal. My wife doesn’t seem to recognize normal pain with aging. I don’t say much it’s her normal. Some people have a very low tolerance. How do I know? I only know me.

Donstar · April 24, 2025

I've been told that I have a high pain threshold. However, I don't accept undiagnosed aches and pains. My older brother and sister both died prematurely from health issues that were preventable through early detection. I am not a hypochondriac but I never want to hear my Doctor say, "If you only you saw me earlier...". I'm not a Doctor which has been proven by the times my GPs diagnosis has differed from my self diagnosis. Your Doctor won't complain about you seeing him too often, but he will if you see him after harboring an ache or pain for a long period of time.

KARNUT · April 24, 2025

I have pain that moves. Usually because I’ll switch using my left when my right hurts. Usually when I make my back mad, what follows is my stomach muscles from favoring my back. I’ve learned to power through just easing up a little. Over time you can become intolerant of certain foods. I used to drink Diet Coke like water. Sweet and low in my coffee. Quit both. Become intolerant. Coffee, water, some tea. You’re convinced something is bad wrong. Only to remember why you quit eating those frozen cherries for reason. One thing I’m on is my teeth. After 40 years of not going one abscess change that. Every six months I get them checked.

Donstar · April 25, 2025

+1 on the teeth! Preventative maintenance will save a lot of pain and discomfort. Vision is another consideration when keeping healthy. Having a thorough annual eye exam does more than determine how well you see. There are eye health issues that can do irreparable damage to your vision if left undetected. Your family doctor isn't going to pay much attention to your eyes and teeth at your annual physical! The other day my dog reminded me of another critical consideration as we negotiate ways to maximize our longevity and that is mental health. My dog of 15 yrs nipped at me when I went to pick her up. I was surprised, as this isn't her style, but quickly realized that I was to blame. She has sore joints and her vision is almost gone. I approached her too quickly to identify me and her instincts took over her reaction. When we are hurt or ill, we think differently. My wife and I have observed this in ourselves lately and we now make a point of clearly telling/warning each other if we are experiencing a time when we're likely to bite!

customboss · April 25, 2025

18 minutes ago, Donstar said:

+1 on the teeth! Preventative maintenance will save a lot of pain and discomfort. Vision is another consideration when keeping healthy. Having a thorough annual eye exam does more than determine how well you see. There are eye health issues that can do irreparable damage to your vision if left undetected. Your family doctor isn't going to pay much attention to your eyes and teeth at your annual physical! The other day my dog reminded me of another critical consideration as we negotiate ways to maximize our longevity and that is mental health. My dog of 15 yrs nipped at me when I went to pick her up. I was surprised, as this isn't her style, but quickly realized that I was to blame. She has sore joints and her vision is almost gone. I approached her too quickly to identify me and her instincts took over her reaction. When we are hurt or ill, we think differently. My wife and I have observed this in ourselves lately and we now make a point of clearly telling/warning each other if we are experiencing a time when we're likely to bite!

I think your dog and I have alot in common.

KARNUT · April 25, 2025

19 minutes ago, Donstar said:

+1 on the teeth! Preventative maintenance will save a lot of pain and discomfort. Vision is another consideration when keeping healthy. Having a thorough annual eye exam does more than determine how well you see. There are eye health issues that can do irreparable damage to your vision if left undetected. Your family doctor isn't going to pay much attention to your eyes and teeth at your annual physical! The other day my dog reminded me of another critical consideration as we negotiate ways to maximize our longevity and that is mental health. My dog of 15 yrs nipped at me when I went to pick her up. I was surprised, as this isn't her style, but quickly realized that I was to blame. She has sore joints and her vision is almost gone. I approached her too quickly to identify me and her instincts took over her reaction. When we are hurt or ill, we think differently. My wife and I have observed this in ourselves lately and we now make a point of clearly telling/warning each other if we are experiencing a time when we're likely to bite!

When I first retired and started traveling east to visit my father in law. (Like going to Church) I promised my wife I would spend more time with her family, especially her father after retirement. It was a fun 11 years. Early retirement was the only reason that was possible. The Lord does work in mysterious ways. Anyway I started getting serious with my diet too. Now taking blood pressure meds does affect low blood sugar. You just can’t take all the little diet tricks with you to help lose weight traveling 3 days. You definitely can’t drive straight through like in your youth. I found out I can’t do hungry. Hangry like a beast from hell over comes me. I get weak and real shaky. That is why I always stayed overweight. I finally learned how to manage all that. My wife thought it was me being tired from driving. It was low blood sugar. Last year I went next level and finally lost additional weight. It’s really tough when you can’t do hunger without extreme misery. The first trip was a miserable experience. At the same time working on the teeth. Learning to slow down physically was a job too. Strange as it sounds. My work made me pretty strong. That can really work against you in your wind down years. Because you can doesn’t mean you should. My first week of retirement almost put me in a retirement home. I was down hurt everywhere. I wised up, healed up. I can still do everything, just a little more carefully. Buy stuff that makes life easier. Even hire stuff out. I checked. It’s way cheaper than paying those fees in a retirement or assisted living facility.

99silveradoz71 · April 26, 2025

Took my 79yr old neighbor for a heart valve replacement. It's absolutely amazing what can be done these days, and how common and less invasive it's become.

Edited April 26, 2025 by 99silveradoz71

Donstar · April 26, 2025

9 hours ago, 99silveradoz71 said:

Took my 79yr old neighbor for a heart valve replacement. It's absolutely amazing what can b3 d9ne these days, and how common and less invasive it's become.

b3 d9ne? Medical procedures/hospital visits have changed considerably in our lifetime. My mother-in-law and her mum were nurses and caregivers. They would often tell us about the improvements in health care techniques during their careers. I am on a waitlist for two surgeries which I am looking forward to having done. If this was the 40's or 50's, I'd be scared!