GEEZER’S “REAL AGE”

Posted: February 5, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: geezerEats, geezerHealth, Uncategorized | Tags: , , | Leave a comment »

I am 73. I track my “real age” on realage.com, which has now become sharecare.com. The factors considered are the same ones that my doctor looks at. Even if there are questions, I do not see how you can go wrong by not smoking, losing weight, and doing things in moderation. I am not interested in living longer; but am interested in living better. I want to minimize today’s   pains and problems.

Today at 73, I went onto sharecare.com  and  based on my answers to the questionnaire have a real age of 66.2 years.

While I feel good about this, what is more important is that on sharecare.com I can change my answers to determine if there is a benefit to making life style changes. My actual weight is 207, which resulted in a “real age” of  66.2 years. I changed the weight to 180 pounds, and came up with a “real age” of 65.7. The difference may be small but I will feel better. And, my doctor told me yesterday that I needed to lose a “few” pounds.

You can change the input and see what you need to do for a better “real age.”  Try it with eating habits, smoking, drinking, etc.

I may try to update this each month which may give me incentive to go from 207 to 180.

TRIPTIKING TO TUCSON – a journey, not a goal.

Posted: January 30, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: geezerQuests, geezerTrips, New Mexico, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | 3 Comments »

I am still driving; however, I am more and more uncomfortable driving on freeways, especially through unfamiliar cities. And, at my age, the journey is more important than the destination; I am aware of the ultimate destination, and am not quite ready to arrive.  I am curious and have exhausted my interest in freeways. I don’t need  70 miles an hour, irritable drivers and large trucks.

I drive frequently to Tucson; grandchildren, you know. I am a member of AAA.  Last Saturday I  asked for a “TripTik” from Albuquerque to Tucson without driving  on  freeways. AAA and their skilled staff provided a “TripTik” route with  only  14 miles of I-25 or I-10. It tracks the Mexican-US border and takes  me to new places. My journey will take 10.3 hours instead of 7.5 and will be 126.9 miles longer. It may require an overnight stay; however, AAA provides a list of motels and restaurants. I also got an electronic version of the “TripTik” which is on my i-Phone.

I can afford the extra time. I can use the stimulation. I need a topic of conversation other than aging.

It’s the journey, not the ultimate goal, even though, I am statistically 20 years away from my “ultimate goal.” I will let you know how the trip turns out.

Another simple way to plan your trip is to go to Google Maps, click on “show options,” check “avoid highways,” and print out a map that avoids freeways.

 

My Kind of Retirement?

Posted: January 7, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: geezerAdapts, geezerTrips, Uncategorized | Tags: , , | Leave a comment »

Are you over 50, retired and bored? AARP has a suggestion: Mars

Today, they suggested Mars. It appears the ideal couple for this trip is over 50 and has been married long enough to get the kinks out. And since the round trip is only 501 days, if done in 2017, it is less time than you would spend with the Peace Corps. There are probably a few risks, but the Geezer, at 73, is already facing a few risks. Old age is the ideal time for new risks, a lot like your late teens and early 20’s.

There are a lot of  plusses. Once you went through Mars “training” you would be in great shape. Your grandkids would really think you were “cool.”  All social security could be banked/invested. It beats assisted living. You would have a lifetime of stories and could not only hit all the talk shows, but could “eat” off of your experience for the rest of your life. Any dementia, could be explained by the trip. You might run into a few aliens. And, of course, after the initial phases, it could solve the problem of what to do with old people; send them to Mars.

I can’t see a downside; and, at 73, that’s saying a lot. I expect a call from the Mar’s Mission at any moment.

Outsourcing Old Age – Things You Should Consider Outsourcing!

Posted: December 25, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: geezerFinance, Uncategorized | Tags: , , | Leave a comment »

Outsourcing is all the rage; but mostly has been defined as sending out work to reduce costs. If you are old you should outsource. The reason is to cut costs, but not just in monetary terms, but also in terms of health and wellbeing. You can’t afford to fall; fail to file taxes; or, miss important deadlines.

You have already outsourced. You didn’t do the surgery to implant your pacemaker, you outsourced the job to a surgeon. When you were younger you could do more things for yourself. It was no problem to climb up on the roof on an old ladder and  lean over to get the leaves out of the gutter; but, at 73, NO! You can’t afford a fall. It will cost a lot and may be the beginning of the end.

What should you outsource?  It depends on the individual, but you should consider the following:

  1. Anything that involves climbing or balancing.
  2. Financial care including preparation of your taxes.
  3. Driving
  4. Medical care
  5. Memory related

Who should you outsource to:

  1. A spouse, unless s/he is near your age and condition.
  2. A child – hopefully you have a good relationship
  3. An accountant
  4. An attorney
  5. A close friend whom you trust
  6. A bank
  7. A  handi-person
  8. Someone referred by a friend, neighbor or family member.
  9. Angie’s list

At what point do you outsource? Sooner rather than later.

What if you don’t outsource?

  1. It may cost you a lot more.
  2. It may affect your health.
  3. It will cause you anxiety.
  4. It may be the last thing you don’t do.

The biggest problem is that you think that you are still  competent.  You haven’t taken a long hard look in the mirror lately. And, you can be stubborn and obnoxious. The  result is that you think you can do something that you can’t.

Think about it.

Think Old!!!

 old man

 

 

 

DWO (Driving While Old) – Is the geezer ready for this?

Posted: December 14, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: geezerAdapts, geezerHealth, Uncategorized | Leave a comment »

In today’s New York Times there is a very good article about DWO (driving while old) and the role of driving rehabilitation specialists. The article contains a number of references to web sites, including an informative one describing the resources available in each state. It also describes what a driving rehabilitation specialist does and provides a link to the national organization.

The article made me aware, once again, of the increasing number of old people, their driving habits, their accident rates and the steps being taken to “help” them. It was informative, but appeared to be written from the point of view of someone under 65; which is probably good, as people over 65 become very defensive about their age, their ability to drive,  and what they see in the mirrors every day: both the car mirror and the bathroom mirror.

It takes one to know one. I have discovered since I turned 65, that maybe I think a bit differently about things. Intellectually, I understand that I am getting older; as a practical matter, I fight it; helped along but any number of businesses that know just what I need. I may be more of a rebel than when I  was in my teens.  I won’t give anyone the least excuse to curtail my driving “privileges.”

I have taken the AARP Senior Driver Safety Class twice. The certificate is good for three years and you get a discount on car  insurance. It lasts for four hours,  has some good suggestions, makes you think a bit, and is a good refresher. It is non-threatening and everyone passes. It  is something positive to have in your records and you can use it as an argument as to why you should not be evaluated; and, why you should continue to drive.

The geezer worries:

  1. If the driving evaluation results are negative, and I still drive, can that be used against me in a lawsuit resulting from an accident.
  2. What happens to a negative evaluation? You can’t reason with me when I need to drive.
  3. I am very sensitive to finding out and having documented,  just how infirm I am and actually knowing what I can and cannot do. Some choices I do not want to make.
  4. In a perfect world, this would be fine, but I think I have to drive and  have no acceptable alternatives; so,  I am not about to do anything that would give anyone any reason to take my keys.
  5. Would the driving rehabilitation specialist report to DMV; to my kids; or, to my insurance company?

I

  1.  am deaf
  2.  after 40 years of driving with glasses, passed the MVD vision test and am not required to wear glasses. I am a bit nervous, as I am not sure of my vision. In an abundance of caution, I wear prescription glasses when driving; can see the road and signs much better;  but would hate to be required to wear glasses again.
  3. am unhappy that I can only get a five-year license, instead of the ten-year license that I used to get.
  4. avoid driving with my kids when they visit; I let them drive. I remember my father missing turns, stop signs and not seeing other cars. No need to alert my children, who were raised to be responsible and who would take my keys, not to mention my car,  to my increasing deficiencies.
  5. am careful about driving on free-ways, especially during rush hour or after dark.
  6. know all the side streets to get where I want to go, so as to avoid traffic and cops.
  7. am carefull about drinking
  8. am very aware that people under 65 think of me as a dangerous, but slow, old man.
  9. get obnoxious when I hear anything that might affect me just because I am old.

In conclusion, how do you convince me that I should be evaluated?

Remember, even though you are young, you are dealing with the GEEZER!

 

SENIOR INDEX

Posted: September 18, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: geezerFinance, Uncategorized | Leave a comment »

We need a “SENIOR INDEX”  indexing people over 65. There is a consumer price index for seniors and a S&P 500 stock index. Why not a single number published daily that would show how old people are doing?

How to index old people? An age index, so every morning I could track the number of people over 65. (This might be scary.) A death index charting those over 65 dying?  An obesity index for fat elders? Certainly a senior financial index charting net-worth, savings, income, and expenses of seniors. I would like to know each morning how seniors were doing. It would be the first thing I read in the paper. It could appear on CNN right after the stock market indexes.

The index should be simple; limited to  factors affecting people over 65; and have a base year. I like 2005 which was the year I turned 65. A search engine coud track the variables daily, apply a senior algorithm  and  come up with a number. I  would know how I was doing adjust my life accordingly and call my doctor/funeral director, if necessary; much as I do today when I see the S & P 500 index going up or down.

Tongue-in-cheek components of the SENIOR INDEX:

  1. Age
  2. Net  worth
  3. Savings
  4. Income
  5. Number with dementia
  6. Health
  7. Number with driver’s licenses
  8. Number of drugs taken
  9. Number of grandchildren
  10. Life expectancy
  11. Marital status
  12. Size of house

The components could be weighted depending on their importance to old people. I am looking for a number  like the stock market indexes. I want something new to obsess over. It would have exaggerated importance; and, would probably be meaningless. Someone would figure out a way to commercialize it; and then sell us something based on the change in the index.

A snapshot of people over 65 would provide guidance when those under 65 decided what to do about us. If the index went up/down laws could be passed raising/lowering social security, medicare and Medicaid. The possibilities are limitless.

I can’t wait for the SENIOR INDEX! What about you?

About Time!

Posted: November 24, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a comment »

I  started this blog about 18 months ago; then stopped. Why? I did not take my own advice. I was afraid, at my age, to  do anything new. Now I don’t care. I am going to give you my thoughts, in the best tradition of a tribal elder. And you, you can read them, ignore them, or leave and never return. It makes no difference to me. This will refine my life. If it helps yours, fine. If it is stupid and the mutterings of an old man, so be it. But, at the very least, to me, it is better than sitting in my chair watching TV. 

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