It’s not like your life’s over when you turn 75, but there are a few habits that are worth rethinking once you reach that milestone, including the ones you’ve always done that way.Â
The little helper
Around a quarter of older adults fall each year. It’s a lot of people pretending that they’re okay when they’re really not. Do you really want to be part of that statistic? Didn’t think so.
Buying a cane isn’t exactly exciting. That doesn’t change when you’re 75. Still, it’s something that you need to do, and it’s the same with a walker. It doesn’t matter that you might feel embarrassed about buying one because, really, that’s not going to help you.
Buy and use the tool before you need it badly.
That familiar phrase
75’s when you’ve got to stop telling yourself that everyone’s mumbling. Maybe the restaurant’s loud sometimes, and maybe the actors on TV are whispering occasionally. Not all the time, though. You can’t keep brushing it off anymore as other people’s problems.
Plus, you don’t really want to keep guessing your way through conversations.
Sure, getting a hearing check is a little annoying, but it sure beats having to say ‘What?’ over and over again.
The same old pair
It’s a similar problem with old glasses. You think they’re still okay because you’re able to read the menu, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that your eyes are doing okay. You should really get them checked out. Don’t put off an eye examination because you think your eyes are fine.
There’s no guarantee of that.
In fact, most medical professionals recommend getting an eye exam every 1 to 2 years. Keep the old frames if you want them. Don’t forget to get the lenses inside them updated, though.
The small room
People tend to put off bathroom changes because they’re personal places. Getting a grab bar fitted? That’s going to make it look old, so people put it off as long as they can. Don’t.
The grab bar itself isn’t the problem. No, it’s the toilet, the tub edge, and the wet tile that are the real issues here.
It’s not like you need to remodel your entire life or anything. Just get those boring fixes in the bathroom done, and you should avoid any major falls in there.
The wet step
That’s not all for the bathroom. It’s so easy to brush off your shower floor as being safe because, well, it looks just like a shower floor. But think about it. The soap and water mix together to make the floor way more slippery.
Then you make one awkward turn.
Now, the most normal part of your day is something a lot worse. A nonslip rubber mat could stop that. There’s really no reason not to get one since they’re easy to install. Almost too easy. Maybe that’s why people ignore it. They really shouldn’t.
The strange moment
Forget what you think about dizziness. It’s not something to just sit through. The same goes for chest tightness, which you really shouldn’t explain away as lunch or something. Weird headache? Don’t ignore it.
These could mean something more serious when you’re older. It’s probably okay, but they might also be signs of a heart attack or a stroke. You really want to risk that? Probably not. Call for help and get them checked out because, really, it’s better safe than sorry.
Up there
You’d be surprised at how many people get overconfident because they’re on the roof. They shouldn’t be at all. All it takes is a single loose shingle or one branch leaning where it shouldn’t be for things to go pear-shaped.
‘I’ll just take a quick look.’ Famous last words.
Fall injuries are way too common, and they’re the kind of injuries that you don’t want to deal with when you’re over 75. Hire it out. There’s no shame in getting someone else to do the work for you.Â
The looser waistband
Who doesn’t want to lose weight without actually trying? It kind of feels like a little win because your pants start fitting more easily, and your shirt’s not so tight anymore. Different story when you’re 75. Any unexpected changes to your weight aren’t worth ignoring.Â
They could be a sign of some sort of health issues, even when they’re a small loss. You should make a note of anything that might’ve changed. That includes the little things. Stomach trouble? Appetite changes? Mood fluctuations? It all counts.
The old shortcut
Let’s get one thing straight. A stair rail is never just decoration, especially when you’re older. You might not touch it because you’ve never really needed it. But then your sock slips. Then your knee gives up.
Make sure you have secure handrails on both sides of the stairs, and remember, using them doesn’t make you helpless or anything. You’re still independent. You’re still able to do things yourself, you’ve just got a little help to keep you that way. No shame in that.
The tired explanation
Stop explaining away your fatigue. It might seem like something small, like stopping halfway through folding laundry or canceling a walk. It’s not small. Simply telling yourself it’s because you’re 75 now isn’t good enough.
Why? Because sudden tiredness or low energy that appears for several weeks could be something else. Speak to a healthcare professional. They’ll know a lot more about what could be going on, and they’ll be able to figure out if it’s something more serious.
The sweet offer
Grandkids never really stop being wonderful, and you’d think that turning 75 is the perfect time for you to enjoy being around them. That’s not false. But grandkids are also pretty heavy, and they can make simple tasks a lot harder.
Your hands are busy. Your balance changes. The fact that there’s always stuff on the floor doesn’t help either because it’s probably going to make you fall over. So yes, cuddle your grandkids, absolutely. But maybe stick to walking empty-handed.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
