Aging Sucks, but Still Beats the Alternative

[MountainDon]

This is for myself and any others who are watching themselves deteriorate over time. Yeah, I'm thinking of you and I Peter Nap.

The Ophthalmologist tells me that I'm a candidate for Macular Degeneration. I'm only a candidate because so far I'm not bothered by vision problems in my daily life. Once it starts to bother me then I have it. 


So why do I post this? Because there are a few things I could have started doing a long time ago that might have helped postpone the onset, or the progression. Some of this is strictly aging related... live long enough and something will get at least a part of you. But some of it is not just aging.

If you don't have a good diet, supplements are required. I do them, but probably should have looked after myself better going back decades.

High blood pressure is a factor. Mine is under control, but a number of years ago it wasn't and I ignored it. 

UV. High UV exposure can affect eye health... not just cataracts but things with the retina and macula. I've never liked wearing sunglasses, partly because they're a PITA when you also wear spectacles for vision correction. But I probably should have worn them more. I have some new clipons.

Just have to add this to my list of complaints and grin and bear it.

[MountainDon]

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/amd.htm

There are two types, "wet" and "dry". I have am a candidate for the dry variety. That's better than wet.   

[StinkerBell]

Just how yong are ya Mtn Don?

[MountainDon]

61.75 approximately 

[StinkerBell]

I am not sure how to respond to 61.75. I am so old that I do not do metric! Now if you said 61 3/4 I could respond.

:

[MountainDon]

I used decimals because my first mental calculation came up with 61 and 8 3/4 twelfths...  That seemed cumbersome. So I went HERE and came up with something a little more precise.

How about 22539 days?   [61.71 years]

32,457,016 minutes.


...and I know that's not really considered old. Most of the time I don't feel old or think of myself as old. But then things pop up to remind me that I may not be as young as I used to be. 

[Ernest T. Bass]

This is for myself and any others who are watching themselves deteriorate over time.

Tell me about it.... I can't believe I'm already 18!! Seems like I was in grade school just yesterday... Or was it the day before that?

[StinkerBell]

Anyone else want to beat up Mr Ernest T Bass?

[Ernest T. Bass]

Sorry to rub salt in the wound, guys.

[n74tg]

One GOOD thing about being old/older; at least we stand some chance of actually getting some social security.  It may not be much, but I wouldn't wager a plug nickel on ETB's generation getting any.  Now, paying it in, sure they'll get to do that.

[Ernest T. Bass]

Oooh, and, don't you guys get like discounts at restaurants and stuff? Gee, I can't wait!

[glenn kangiser]

Don't rush it Andrew. 

As much stuff as you have already done and learned you have a great head start -- or you may not make 40.

Just funnin ya.  I think you are a great example of the way I wish a lot more of the younger generation was. hmm

Hope you make it to over a hundred....

...and -- hint , hint -- if you move to Mexico and come back as an illegal alien, there is all the free social security and benefits you want.  Don't let these guys kid you.

[Ernest T. Bass]

Thanks for the compliments and the tip, Glenn. I can't take any credit for the person I am. It's all in the parenting.

Not sure the world will be a real fun place to live by the time I make it to 100 at the rate things are going.. 

[glenn kangiser]

At least you are aware of that and are doing your part to make your corner of it a better place.  Good on ya, mate, as they may possibly say in Australia.

[glenn kangiser]

You are right -- that smilie guy is a little dork-- but he's a cute little dork.

[Ernest T. Bass]

Well, I can't take a whole lotta credit for our sustainable living attempts either... My mom is the one behind all the natural stuff. We usually argue about what's eco-friendly vs. what's going to last when it comes to construction. It can be hard to draw the line sometimes...

[glenn kangiser]

We'll -- at least you'll have the knowledge of both in your head and no one can take that away from you -- until you start to get old like us and can't remember what it was but you just knew that you used to know. 

That's part of why this forum is good -- you youngsters can keep reminding us what it was that we forgot or we can re-study and learn it again.

As long as Don can remember his numbers, we're in good shape.

[Ernest T. Bass]

You could always look up your old posts in the archives.

Seriously, though.. There's a lot of knowledge here. It should get backed up to a HD once in a while, just in case.. Or does it?

[glenn kangiser]

I think John has it although the forum change over was after a bit was lost.

I sometimes see some of my old postings and don't even remember I said that...Oh well.  At least if we repeat ourselves enough we will get the information to the new members...and this forum does have a few pretty decent search functions.

[MountainDon]

Oooh, and, don't you guys get like discounts at restaurants and stuff? Gee, I can't wait!

Some of those discounts come with too many strings attached though. 

However, have a look here and search out some of the deals...
http://seniordiscounts.com/
http://benefitscheckup.org/

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cheap/20050112a1.asp
page 2 is here
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cheap/20050112a2.asp
(page links weren't working last time I was there. took you to the wrong place

[Ernest T. Bass]

I think John has it although the forum change over was after a bit was lost.

I sometimes see some of my old postings and don't even remember I said that...Oh well.  At least if we repeat ourselves enough we will get the information to the new members...and this forum does have a few pretty decent search functions.

See, Alzheimer's can be a good thing! So many other forums are full of nasty people who yell at the poor newbies for asking all the same questions, and here we just politely tell the answers over, and over, and over, and over again without ever getting annoyed.

[Willy]

Sure does I was told I have a form of cancer a few weeks ago. I get to know more from the VA Hospital in a couple of weeks! Puts a damper on getting old and planing ahead. I will get that cabin built this year cause I bought to much wood allready. Having high blood pressure, maybe cloged artires in my neck and cancer all in the same day is sorta hard to deal with. Should have not went and would not have known about it. It will all come out in the wash soon enought but I still have things to do and fire season is also coming up soon and I need to do a few more before I retire being only 56 years old!! Heck I just got my Water Tender the way I like it now! Mark

[MountainDon]

One GOOD thing about being old/older; at least we stand some chance of actually getting some social security.

If you start taking SS early you do pay a penalty in the form of reduced monthly amounts paid to you. 1% less for each month you start prior to your 65th birthday, I believe it is. So assuming the payments continue to be made to you in all future years there's a certain amount of gambling going on. In most cases if you start receiving early you hit the break even point about 9 years down the road. That is, live long enough and you will be getting less in total than if you waited and started receiving later in life. But you have had the money earlier when you might be better able physically, mentally to enjoy it. 

[MountainDon]

I hope things work out favorably for you Mark H

[Willy]

I hope things work out favorably for you Mark H

Me too, I sure would like to collect some of that free money the goverment has waiting for me at 62 years of age even if it is discounted! Mark