Aging, Health, and When to Stop RVing

[garyb1st]

My other thread on aging didn't elicit the response I was looking for. Maybe the question was too vague. Or maybe a response would have included or alluded to personal information you're not comfortable sharing. I totally understand if that is the case.

For the record, I wasn't really looking for suggestions on how to keep busy in retirement. My question was really intended to better understand how hanging up the keys affects our mental and physical health. And whether or not it actually speeds up aging. For me, hanging up the keys changes on a daily basis. One day I think I'm close, the next I'm looking for another motorhome.

I'm 83 and I don't like what aging is doing to my body. I've had two serious falls in the past year and a half and, as they say, been there done that. Don't need a repeat. In that regard, when I'm not looking at RVs, I'm researching aging and it's effects on the body.

There are things we can do to prevent falls. But first we need to understand why we fell. In my case, I believe the first was a related to proprioception. The second, was caused by, let's just say always have a flashlight when walking in total darkness.

We can't prevent our body from aging. But I believe there are things we can do to slow it down. I believe RVing is one of those things.

So for those of you who haven't had enough of the hanging up the keys threads, what are your thoughts? Here's one of mine. Sit to stand.

 

[DonTom]

I do a lot of hiking while many other RVer's are sitting on their BFA under their awning, perhaps reading or whatever. I also do a little of sitting on my BFA but AFTER I come back from my hike!

Sometimes I type these messages outside in the shade of my RV, even though I removed the awning years ago with the help of, well, see here, if interested in that side story.

I do not miss it at all. 50% of the time the shade is on the opposite side of the awning anyway. RVs are more reliable without Awnings. AFAIK, you will never see one on a rented RV.

In NV and in CA, after the age of 70, you must renew your driver's license in person. They require a vision test and they what to be sure you can at least walk into the place looking like you're in good enough health to drive. I recently had to do such as I will be 77 in a few weeks.

BTW, perhaps in most states, but CA & NV for sure, never mention to a doctor a health issue that could be related to driving or expect to lose your driver's license. By law, they MUST report all health issues that can affect driving. You end up getting a registered letter from the DMV telling you that your current driver's license was canceled.

It happened to Tom when he mentioned a sleep apnea problem, making him sleepy while driving a long distance. After a few months, we got a doctor to reverse it with DMV by telling the doc their sleep apnea machine worked perfectly.

-Don- Big Creek Camp, NV

 

[Seilerbird]

I have not responded to this thread because it is too painful. I quit riding my exercise bike and my leg muscles have atrophied and I am in pain and in the hospital.

 

[garyb1st]

BTW, perhaps in most states, but CA & NV for sure, never mention to a doctor a health issue that could be related to driving or expect to lose your driver's license.

Good point and one of the reasons for my comment re: sharing.

 

[garyb1st]

I have not responded to this thread because it is too painful. I quit riding my exercise bike and my leg muscles have atrophied and I am in pain and in the hospital.

Tom, I certainly hope your health improves to the point where you can begin strengthening your body. Your still relatively young, at least by my standards, and have some amazing talents. I've thoroughly enjoyed your photography. Hope you are able to continue shooting and sharing.

 

[Greg Brannon]

You're pursuing this topic - and the previous - in a forum of mostly (?) active RV'ers. Sure, there are a few inactives hanging about, still wanting to contribute, but most reading this topic, I suspect, are unable, unwilling, or uncomfortable defining when they've reached the end. I'm of the first type. Who knows when I will become unable? How will I know? Will I know?

I don't know for sure that there is any one thing or a specific prescription of multiple things that any of us can do to 'slow down aging,' but staying active and keeping our minds engaged with new challenges are recommended. Also, exercising daily to keep our bodies as strong as possible is important. Yes, RVing can be an important anti-aging activity, but it isn't sufficient by itself. There are many others.

Be well and stay curious.

Greg: Not done yet and don't know when I will be.

 

[garyb1st]

Greg, I can't disagree with your comment. In fact at one time I was planning on stating the thread was intended for those active members who no longer RV and those that are contemplating that decision. My perspective is based on my personal experience with the Forum which goes back 16 years. When I joined, the Forum was significantly different. There was a large tightly knit group of individuals who had been members for more than 10 years. Most were close to my age or older. Some of those individuals have passed on. Some are still RVing. Every time I see one of the threads that question the wisdom of driving past a certain age I can't help but wonder what does age have to do with it. Is age the common denominator. I don't think so. One of our members is close to 90. Another that I had the pleasure of speaking with a year ago at a rally is about 85. They both continue to enjoy RVing.

I'm at the age when things can go south quickly. I've already experienced some loss of strength and have some of the balance issues that cause seniors to fall. But I know from personal experience that the loss of strength is reversible. Not totally and not without a lot of work. But I know when I put in the effort I feel much better. The words, sit to stand, at the end of my post is in reference to an exercise I've been doing which is beneficial for both leg strength and balance. For any RVer seriously contemplating hanging up the keys based on a belief that it's time, I encourage them to look at the overall picture.

Getting off my soap box and heading to the freezer. Need some ice cream.

 

[DonTom]

Not done yet and don't know when I will be.

I have a buddy who worked in a hospital and he tells me he has seen countless people become messed up in seconds, from both natural reasons and accidents.

Includes a guy who was 22 years old who died of a massive heart attack and that type of thing, of people who seemed to be in perfect health just a few minutes before.

Years ago, I knew a ranger at Zion National Park, who would let us park our motorcycles at his home residence. He was also in his early 20's and I first met him on a hike way out in the middle of nowhere in the high country (Bear Trap Canyon). Far from ANY trailhead. Nine topo map miles, which means most likely even farther out. IOW, he got a lot of exercise just to go to such places.

Anyway, the next year he was not around and I asked about him. He had a major stroke in his early 20's and could not get outside anymore, but was still alive.

We never know, living is very dangerous.

-Don- Big Creek Camp, NV

 

[Tom]

It happened to Tom when he mentioned a sleep apnea problem, making him sleepy while driving a long distance. After a few months, we got a doctor to reverse it with DMV by telling the doc their sleep apnea machine worked perfectly.

I remember you telling us about it at the time, and was relieved to eventually hear he got his driving privileges back.

 

[SargeW]

One of the DW and I core beliefs revolve around remaining healthy and mobile. To contribute to that as much as possible, we continued our work out routines when we left our LEO careers. Usually 5 days a week I rotate between weight work out, or brisk walking. The weight work out strengthens the bones and the muscles that provide balance. The walking contributes to strong lungs and heart muscle.

I carry a folding flat bench, a set of Bowflex dumbbells and a inflatable work out ball. As I have aged the workout weights have gotten lighter, but that really doesn't matter. It's more important to just do it. Even having say a couple of 5 or 10 pound weights is plenty to make a difference. The exercise ball is how I do sit ups, as the 3 bulging disks in my low back prohibit doing a regular sit up on a hard surface. The benefit to my abs is critical to keep my stomach mussels strong enough to take the strain off of my low back.

The walking is good for my cardio (I quit jogging a few years ago as the pounding on the low back was taking a toll) and improves my mood.

I write all this to make that point that you don't have to be a fanatic to improve your general heath and mobility. Consistency is way more important. Some days, like travel days I may have to skip an exercise day for 2 or 3 days in a row. Sometimes bad weather changes plans. But we always get back to it. And most of us have plenty of time, we can schedule in a time to do some activity that will pay you back huge dividends. We do it in the morning right after coffee. Starts the whole day off right.

It has become really important to us that length of life isn't nearly as important as quality of life. I will be 69 this year, and how far this race goes is a great unknown, but whenever that day arrives I want to be walking, agile, and able to get myself up off of the toilet.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Studies have shown that some (many?) seniors have a difficult time filling their day after retirement. Some avoided that by traveling more, including RVing, so hanging up the keys may be depressing if that is their only source of activity. It often takes some effort to find & get involved with other activities, especially activities with social interactions that stave off loneliness and isolation. SargeW describes his version of that but each of us has to find his/her own way. It could be social organizations (clubs, etc), community activities, or simply volunteering to help neighbors or friends with whatever skills you may have. For others, reading (fiction or non) and browsing the internet can fill a lot of hours. The point is to find something and do it. My personal catch-phrase is to "keep on keeping on", meaning to do stuff each & every day, even if just a few mundane tasks or phone calls to old friends. Your life isn't over until you let it be.

Enough philosophy! I hung up the keys in 2016 but remain involved through this forum and others. I also stay busy with hobbies I enjoy (reading, crosswords, trivia matches) and my role as President of our smallish condo association. Having 90 homes and an extended family of over 120 mostly seniors keeps plenty of action in my 82 year old life.

 

[UTTransplant]

I will regret when we can’t travel in the motorhome anymore, but I do not think it will become the beginning of the end anymore than not being able to hike or bike. There are so many other activities in my life. I do believe people should stay mentally active, and I have no difficulty doing that. Physical activity is a real issue for me because of my spinal issues, but there are accommodations I can make and still enjoy. And hanging up the motorhome keys doesn’t necessarily mean giving up driving at all. I am absolutely sure that I will need to give up driving a 40,000 pound vehicle before I need to give up driving my Subaru Outback. I might be only be going to the grocery store or a friend’s house, but that I can continue doing for a lot longer. Eventually, if I am lucky, I will have to give up that too. But Ubers and Lyft exist, senior transportation services exist, and friends and family exist too. It doesn’t mean I will be stuck at home until I am truly homebound. It is a continuum, not a cliff.

 

[jymbee]

... each of us has to find his/her own way.

Exactly. For me, a perfect day is when I wake up with no appointments of any kind, zero social participation events on the calendar, and the whole day in front of me to work on any of the countless projects around our property that I enjoy doing.

When I see all these stores about "lonely men" I have to laugh. I guess I get it if that's the way some feel, but I a have very small circle of male friends that I've had for decades and even there we don't get together all that often. Just fine with my not-lonely self.

 

[DonTom]

Studies have shown that some (many?) seniors have a difficult time filling their day after retirement.

I have way too many hobbies for such. When the weather is not good, I have things like ham radio and these forums to keep me busy. When the weather is good, you most likely will never find me at either home during the daytime.

-Don- Big Creek Camp, NV

 

[TheBar]

Exactly. For me, a perfect day is when I wake up with no appointments of any kind, zero social participation events on the calendar, and the whole day in front of me to work on any of the countless projects around our property that I enjoy doing.

When I see all these stores about "lonely men" I have to laugh. I guess I get it if that's the way some feel, but I a have very small circle of male friends that I've had for decades and even there we don't get together all that often. Just fine with my not-lonely self.

In the past 8 years 11 of my closest friends including my 3 best friends have passed away. So it can happen rapidly.

When my dad was 88 he said my mother and all of his friends had passed away, he made another circle of friends, and after they all passed away he said it was too painful to make any new friends.

Which makes our children and family all we may have left in the end. I've found the secret to stay close to your children is to quit giving fatherly advice. It's really hard to do when you have all this sage wisdom to share. But kids must make their own way in the world without your unwanted interference.

 

[Tom]

In the past 8 years 11 of my closest friends including my 3 best friends have passed away. So it can happen rapidly.

My parents belonged to a very active & close RV Club in the UK. If they weren't RVing together, they were spending time at each others' homes. Some years down the road, I'd ask on the phone about various friends, and found in a short space of time that most had passed away.

Here in CA I've belonged to a retired guys' club for a number of years (current membership approx 120 guys from the neighborhood). This is a relatively active group of seniors, many of whom participate in activities such as bowling, golf, pickle ball, bike riding, and occasionally RVing. I've handled several club admin things in the background, e.g. their monthly newsletter. I tell Chris that, if I'm not publishing an obituary this month, I'm publishing 2 next month. And so it has been for the years I've participated.

 

[Brad Buchanan]

I have not responded to this thread because it is too painful. I quit riding my exercise bike and my leg muscles have atrophied and I am in pain and in the hospital.

Hang in there....we care!

 

[Rene T]

I have not responded to this thread because it is too painful. I quit riding my exercise bike and my leg muscles have atrophied and I am in pain and in the hospital.

Tom, are you back home now?