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Between Friends with Bob Ann Breland

I was trying to open a medicine bottle and realized I had closed it the hard way – with the child-proof cap. No matter how hard I twisted and pulled, it would not open.

Since the meds were due to be taken, I visited my granddaughter, in whose younger hands it was not a problem. It also made me remember to watch how I reclosed bottles.

Another time, with difficulty opening a jar lid, I handed it to my son to open. After that, he ordered a lid opener from the Internet. It is a handy gadget and is useful for opening many sizes of jars and bottles; unfortunately, not ‘wee small’ like medicine bottles, which often have “push down and turn” directions.

Lots of problems arise as we age, from opening things to taking a couple of steps upward to do or retrieve something just out of reach. Like reaching something on an upper shelf or trying to change a light bulb. It is pretty easy to change a light bulb. You may be able to reach it, but I am not that tall. So, just drag out the step-stool, climb up and unscrew one bulb and screw in another, right?

Not me. I don’t climb anymore. Too many older people fall while trying to do simple but necessary tasks. Easier to ask for help and better than trying to get over surgery to repair a broken hip or other bones.

We lived next door to an elderly lady many years ago who climbed up on her kitchen counter to clean the window over the sink. She got the window clean and as she started back down, she fell. She was by herself and it happened during the morning hours.

She had been there all day when we found her. Her leg was broken and even with medical attention, the open wound produced a fatal blood clot.

Now that I am elderly (gosh, that is hard to admit) I understand. There are so many things we can’t do for ourselves anymore and sometimes we don’t want to admit it, plunge ahead and suffer the consequences. Is a clean window worth the risk?

There are about as many chores to be done as when you were young and able to do them – but the energy level may not be there. Even seniors in excellent health have to be careful as one fall and a broken hip can really cramp their lifestyle. Aging bones can become brittle and break easy with even a simple fall.

On limited incomes, few can afford to hire workers, so many things go undone. I try to not worry about some things I can’t do anymore, like upper shelves. Late aging can cast a serious shadow on life, but there is good news. We can put pride aside and ask for help. Younger family members may be oblivious to need unless they are told, but happy to help.

When I started newspaper writing in 1971, if someone lived to be 100, it was rare enough to be a front page story. By the time I retired, 100 year-olds were everywhere. I also wrote a series of articles on people age 100 or close to it.

The stories were varied leaving one to decide if living a very long life — even with limitations — was a good thing. They were all wonderful people still loving life!

I think with good health I would like to live to be 100 — the Good Lord willing.  (At 87, I am not so very far away!) Even with the usual problems of aging minds and bodies – long life can still be a great thing!