little chickadee Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 I just read a post about someone's 95 yr old relative who still bakes pies and that made me think of my lovely 98 yr old Grandad. I was round at his house today (It's so lovely living 5 miles away from him instead of 120 like I used to) and was trying to persuade him that, no, he did not want to go and mow the lawn - that was why he paid the gardener My mum caught him kneeling on the garage floor cleaning out the blades of the mower last year I know from my illness (ME) that it's really horrid having to rely on other people to do things for you. He's always been so independant and stubborn. It's really hard keeping him under control He's had a couple of falls in the last couple of years (two when getting out of bed and one when going outside to harvest the raspberries) He's supposed to be using a zimmer all the time at the moment, but never has it anywhere near him when I go round to visit. I keep telling him that I don't want to have to drive 30 miles to the hospital to visit him, so if he could stop doing silly things and stay in his own house I'd be most appreciative Gosh I love him. It must be really scary being that age. All his friends are dead and knows that it can't be long before he joins them. My dad died when I was 11, so Grandad has always been my significant older male - he gave me away at the age of 89 and did a storming speach. Anyone else got fabulous older people still living in their own homes and generally being a worry. (I know a couple of you have from ongoing posts) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Sadly, no - but your post made me smile, he sounds great! I hope I'm like that when I'm older - independent and bloomin' stubborn. In the right way, of course. It sounds as if you have a great relationship with him, you're very lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooner.girl Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Awww. He sounds lovely Chickadee. I have a lot of time for old people. I always try and smile and catch their eye when i walk past somneone elderly in the street - i know a lot of them don't have much contact with other people and can be quite lonely. Your Grandad must think the world of you! Our church is running a holiday club for old people this year - normally they do one for kids but this year its for the elderly - bringing them together to chat and do activities. I don't often help with the younger ones since i started teaching - see enough of kids most days at work But this one i'm gonna be there like a shot - i think its a great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Little Chickadee your grandad seems like a right character He sounds like such a wonderful chap who is very much loved. My nanna is 80 and despite ongoing health problems (she has been going in and out of hospital a lot lately) she lives independently, cooks the best cakes and still drives round the villages in her little car. She has a good friend called Edgar, (I think he looks like Hanns Moleman from The Simpsons) and they go off shopping together each week. Since i have become pregnant she has claimed bragging rights in the village of being a Great Grandma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 How marvellous to hear about your grandad little chickadee. Him Indoors gave a lecture last week one evening and one of the attendees was a chap aged 94. He came on the bus and some-one had to insist upon giving him a lift home! It was mentioned that he has only just been persuaded to give up riding his bike! Tremendous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 My Granddad is only 89 because he was my nana's 2nd husband, after my Fathers' Father died and he was her toy boy He lives by himself now having had major heart surgery when I was only 16, and now the valve he had is at least 20 years past it's best by date, but he doesn't want another as there are lots of people worse off than him I wish I had persuaded him to have the valve replaced years ago, as he is starting with renal failure to to insufficient blood circulation, but he wouldn't even consider it but he is an amazing man Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMitch Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 My Gran is 96 and still lives by herself with my mum just around the corner. She is a bit of a nightmare and recently seems to spend more time on the floor as she takes in into her head to do things she isn't really capable of a soon as my mum leaves her alone. She told me the other day that she wasn't pleased with my mum because she had thrown away her old hat so she wouldn't be able to go out jogging anymore as her head would get cold. My grandad unfortunately died quite a long time ago, the last thing he asked me to do was get him some black tulips. I said I don't think there is such a thing and he told me there was but I would have to go to Japan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Your grandad sounds just like my nan! My nan is 95 and still lives on her own. Her husband died almost 20 years ago and since he died she became very independant. She wont have meals on wheels and cooks her own meals, she goes to bingo a minimum of 2 nights a week, she goes to church luncheon clubs, beetle drives, whist drives, jumble sales, over 60's coach outings. She still goes supermarket shopping and when she goes to bingo in "town" she comes home on her own on the bus! (she actually goes out more than me and my hubby ) She babysits for her great grandchildren and hates to be left out of anything! I hope im like that when im her age!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Your nan sounds amazing Chelsea, I love feisty old ladies Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 My grannie is 93. She lives on her own and is fiercely independent. Despite being hard of hearing and increasingly frail she is very much on the ball. She keeps busy and still goes to church and mothers union weekly. The family take it in turn to visit her during the week and at week ends, sadly she lives a way off. She has outlived her husband and 2 of her children, my uncle Chris had downs syndrome and polio and she cared for him throughout his life and is just a wonderful woman. I think most importantly she is loved and admired by my mum, her brother in law and 8 grandchildren and 4 greatgrandchildren. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Sadly all my grandfolks are dead now, but we look after a lady in her late 80s, who lives a few doors along from us. She was very poorly around Chruistmas and we went to visit her in hospital. We always get groceries for her if she can't manage it and drive her to the shops if she needs it. She had a heart bypass 3 years ago after I found her collapsed outside her house, she's diabetic, arthritic and has breathing problems, but she's independent (read 'cussed') like me and refuses to wear her alarm. Luckily I only work 5 mins from home and can get to her if she needs help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 She is lucky to have you Claret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 She is lucky to have you Claret. Thank you Egluntine Mrs A is a real sweetie and we try to help while respecting her privacy as she likes to do things for herself. I'm in the process of trying to pursuade her son that she really needs a downstairs loo put in as she finds the stairs such a chore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Can I take this opportunity to remind you of the charity I volunteer for, called Contact the Elderly! It arranges tea-parties for elderly people once a month, and it's aimed at lonely and isolated older people who don't have any family nearby. One of my 'ladies' once said "I do enjoy these, you know - I repeat all the conversations to myself afterwards and it keeps me going for days." She is 86, and apart from the tea-parties she only leaves the house once a week. They're always looking for volunteer drivers or host/esses - maybe your elderly relatives are not with you any longer and you miss the contact, or maybe you love making cakes and would like an appreciative audience? You can find out more on www.contact the elderly.org. Also, perhaps you know an elderly person who would benefit from this? Because these people are so isolated, it can be hard to find out who they are, but there's a 'guest' form on the website. Hope you don't mind me plugging this, it's a cause dear to my heart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted April 29, 2008 Author Share Posted April 29, 2008 That sounds absolutely fabulous Olly. Not something I have the time or energy for at the moment though Why not start another thread so more people see about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Wow all this makes my Grandad who is nearly 89 sound like a youngster He lives about 40 miles away from us with my Uncle who has lived with him all his life. My Grandad still cooks all their meals and does the cleaning and washing, not quite to my standards but they do ok My Uncle does not cook or clean but he does help my Grandad keep up with his garden which he loves. They both come over to us for Sunday lunch about once a month, and I try to spend a decent length of time just sitting talking to him. He is very deaf and finds spending time with other people upsetting because he can't keep up with the conversation, but is ok one to one. My uncle is not a great talker, so spending time with me and his 3 great grandchildren gives him a change of scene and some company. The children moan about him andhis soggy kisses etc but they love him dearly as do I. Unfortunately my dad hasn't spoken to him for nearly 25 years after what he and mum felt was a lifetime of interfering by him and my gran who died nearly 10 years ago. This is all so sad because I am caught in the middle and can see both sides My OH's Nan was also a fiesty lady who had a formidable skill for chess and for winding up my FIL her SIL it was always hilarious to watch she lived alone for 20 years after her husband died and she lived until she was 91. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 I hope I'm as good as your Grandad at 95, little chickadee. He sound lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flo Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 My grandparents are in their 80's and moved to Ipswich from Northern Ireland a few years ago to be closer to my parents. I love going to visit them for lunch or tea and cake. They have a great set up in their bungalow with various people supporting them with cleaning, gardening etc. I love chatting to them about my family history or what they did in the war, gardening, the chickens - they love guessing which girl laid the eggs I take them. I was their first Grandchild and have always visited them on my own so I feel that I have a really special bond with them. I just wish I could visit them everyday! Olly - I have e-mailed Contact the elderly about volunteering so thank you for the link! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Delighted to hear that, Flo - apologies for hijacking Chickadee's thread, by the way! It just seemed an opportune moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 What a lovely post (I've only just spotted it!). These active octo- and nonogenarians really sound fantastic. A theme running through a lot of the posts seems to be that they have an active interest in things and people around them, make an effort to see and speak to people and generally have a positive attitude to life, despite their physical or mental frailties. To those of you following my "worried about dad ... and mum" post, it won't surprise you that my mum ("only" 83) could in no way be described as displaying any of those attributes . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 My grandad is 92 and still lives in his own house - my grandma died a couple of years ago so he is now on his own. He still drives which is a nightmare as I really dont think he should be but he doesn't want to give up his independance My other grandparents are in their 80's and my grandad loves gardening still Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
