dependence on others
physical restrictions due to age
physical restrictions due to health
quit doing something
Are there things you can no longer do because of your health or age?
By cotruelove
@cotruelove (1016)
Denver, Colorado
March 22, 2012 3:46pm CST
I'm at an age where I find many things I cannot do anymore and due to my health, more than I wish. I cannot climb ladders. I cannot walk long distances. I cannot stand for long periods of time. I've found ways to work around many things, but some times there just is no way around it. It makes me dependent for some things on other people, and for me that is difficult because I've always been independent. I know as I've grown as an adult, there have been many times I've had to quit doing certain things. Have you experienced having to quit doing something you love or have always done?
2 people like this
10 responses
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
22 Mar 12
I love walking. I use it not just for exercise but to meditate, relax and for spirituality. But I once used it to get from one place to another. I use to be able to walk about 10 miles every day with zest and gusto. I can not do this anymore. I still walk about two or three miles every day but slowly and sometimes in pain. Tonight, I will take a short evening walk after American Idol. Other times, i take short walks to run errands. But I do not walk like I used to. I can't. And I can not enjoy it like I used to because more often than not, I am experiencing some pain. Sometimes the pain is slight but other times it is moderate to severe.
I have definitely had to limit my walking because of health and age both. And I miss it.
1 person likes this
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Mar 12
Like you, I love walking, but I have to do it with a wheeled walker if I go any distance and mine also has a seat on it if I feel stressed or need a rest. Unfortunately, heel spurs make walking hard too, and spinal arthritis and bad knees don't help. What I miss the most is not being able to work in my garden the way I used to do. But I do get a few flowers going and a few vegetables, like tomato plants. Unfortunately, pain is a constant for me, I just deal with it as much as possible. Today, I pushed myself a little to much and the pain almost brought me to my knees before I could get myself seated. Thank goodness I use a chiropractor or I would have quit walking at all years ago. I hate pain meds so I'd rather get an adjustment from the chiropractor than take pills. Thanks for responding to the discussion!
1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
23 Mar 12
I am sorry for your difficulties. I am more fortunate in that I can still walk a lot, not like I used to but still a lot. Sometimes there is no or little pain but usually there is some pain. And sometimes a lot of pain. Nevertheless, I keep on trucking. They say "use it or lose it".
I belong to the "Y" and I feel so much better after going there. I get the in the pool, use the hot tub, sauna and exercise machines. Unfortunately, I am lax about going there. I have not been for months. I am going to try to get there next week.
It is always nice to hear from you. It seems like we have a lot in common.
@dandan07 (1906)
• China
23 Mar 12
I think with the age grow many things i can not do now.
When i was a child, I can use the soap water to blow bubbles, but as an adult now, it is strange for me to do that again.
When i was child, i can spend most of time in home and read my favorite books. now i have to go out to do work and earn enough money for myself.
When i was a child, i can turn my parents for comfort, but now i have to face all the problems and protect my parents.
Children has the right of growing up happily, while it is the responsibility of adults. Things are totally changed.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Mar 12
Thanks for the response. Things change throughout life and what I'm going through is one of life's stages. I worked for many years, but obviously, don't anymore. However I do try to stay as active as possible. Hope you enjoy life's journey!
@GardenGerty (161166)
• United States
23 Mar 12
I am not as physically active as I used to be, but I believe I can build back into it. I do some things better than I used to. I think my slow down is more mental and I am also slower or less likely to push through and complete things. I also find that I do some things now that I never would have when I was younger. Like give blood.
1 person likes this
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Mar 12
They won't take my blood because of a childhood disease I had that can cause problems for someone else. Wish I could donate blood, but.... not destined to happen. I read recently that reading keeps the mind active and retards the loss of memory and discouraged dementia. I hope you accomplish your goal and build back. I agree I think there are some things we can rebuild. Thanks for your response to the discussion!
1 person likes this
@fantasticbabe (981)
• Philippines
23 Mar 12
yes, the things that i could not do anymore is climbing a tree. i use to do it when i was young. also, like to climb in fences and slides on the grass with my playmates.m since, i grow up fast. i could no longer do it as the people around would gonna tease me. when, t comes to walking and standing too long. i could still manage but with stationary position, i also get cramps. so t is good to do all things while till young so what is left during old age is fond of memories being left behind.
1 person likes this
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Mar 12
Memories are wonderful for sure. Like you I get leg cramps but find more than likely it is because I've not drank enough water or I'm low on potassium or calcium. Sometimes the cramps come from the problems in my lower back and I have to see the chiropractor. I was a tree climber in my youth and stole apples from my aunt's apple trees. I remember her fussing at me for it because she wanted them to bake pies. I even remember falling out of a cherry tree into a grape orchard. Thank goodness for the grapevines or I'd have been hurt. Thanks for your comment!
1 person likes this
@Archaiwy (599)
• China
23 Mar 12
One surely can't do some things as they are aging. Because their health conditions will decline as they age. If they don't pay enough attention to their health, they will suffer some illnesses.Even if aged people are healthy they should see to their health every now and then, or they will face some health troubles, after all they are not young people who are the strongest people in a way.
1 person likes this
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Mar 12
Thanks for your comment. I agree we all need to protect our health as we age.
@whatrow (792)
• United States
23 Mar 12
I enjoy hiking in a deep wooded area. While I was growing up, it was the only thing that could give me peace and relief from anxiety as I struggled to exist in New York. Now, I can't even walk to the end of my driveway without a mobility aid. I have arthritis in the spine. But, there is some consolation. I am now living in my own home in the Pocono Mountains. My house is completely surrounded by woods and I could just sit outside and spend the day watching deer, birds and other wildlife romping through the woods.
1 person likes this
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Mar 12
I definitely understand the spiritual connection to the woods. I know it always makes me more peaceful. Like you I have spinal arthritis but I try very hard to stay as active as possible. The more sedentary I am, the worse it gets and the less I can do. Arthritis seems to thrive on immobility. It may hurt but I still try. I have two dogs I love to watch play outside and play with. They bring me great joy. Thanks for responding to the discussion!
1 person likes this
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
23 Mar 12
I have also stop doing things I used to. My biggest reason is not so much age but my wieght! I am morbidly obese. I have trouble walking long distances. I try to avoid stairs when I can. I stopped riding horses. I won't go on latters anymore either. I try to not use a step stool,too! To hard on my knees! I hope to get rid of some of those pounds so I can do some of the stuff I mentioned,again!
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Mar 12
I'll send positive thoughts your way that you can loose some of the weight. I've been loosing weight a lot lately. That is a good thing. I'm not happy with the weight but the arthritis has limited me in getting rid of it, along with exercise induced asthma. But the big issue is food portions for me. I need to be more reasonable. Thanks for your response!
@marguicha (224042)
• Chile
27 Mar 12
Of course there are lots of things I can no longer do because of both health AND age. Fortunatly, some of them I´m not interested in do anymore. I cannot stand for a long time due to my back so I got a dishwasher and I don´t iron clothes. I do my best to still be independent. I do a lot of table gardening (all the seeds and seedlings to pots stuff I do placing the plants on a table). I do some of the cooking seated.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
27 Mar 12
I so relate to your limitations. My back is my major problem. I'm praying for you and hope you remain safe with the earthquakes. Thanks for your response.
@marguicha (224042)
• Chile
30 Mar 12
My back is one of my problems, but I have to thank that I did not live a hundred years ago. I would have spent half of my life in a wheelchair if I had been born then. As it is, I had back surgery and, although it is not perfect, it is ok.
@god_is_good (683)
• Philippines
22 Mar 12
As a person age, there are things that he can't do it physically because of a lot of factors, which includes physical ability, health, and others. The most common is health problems. I had been observing a lot and studying for some years about health which causes someone not able to perform those things he used to enjoy. At this time of my life, I still can do those things I used to do. I am in good health by God's grace and with understanding of how our body works, I know how to diagnose myself in general. I understand your situation and it is my hope and prayer that you'll be well to do those things you can without being too dependent on others. Good day.
1 person likes this
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Mar 12
Thanks for your response to the discussion. I've watched and helped elder relatives most of my life and I find no matter how we try to avoid aging, it just doesn't happen and because of it, whether other health problems exist or not, a person is limited in what they can do. The body just slows down no matter what. I know my reactions are no where near as quick as they used to be. Congratulations on good health and enjoy it as long as you can. Please, never take it for granted. Prayers for you and your continued happy life!
1 person likes this
@honest_efforts100 (1607)
• India
5 Jul 12
I agree with you. Its more economical buying the bar soap but liquid soap is much better. Also in terms of variety liquid soap has so many varieties. Another advantage of using liquid is that you do not have to apply any oil on your body after taking a bath. Of course am giving a guys point of view.