Helps

Not fair.  I was not told.  Ok I was told in the vaguest terms that I would get old, but there is heaps that goes with it that I was not told.  As someone used to say, “I hate surprises.”  I can prepare for the expected, but not the unexpected.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to not be pushing up daisies, but there are things that if I had known about, I could have done something about.

Medication is one.  I thought in “retirement” all would be bliss.  It would have helped to know that a large percent of brass can go on medication or operations.  Even having saved for a rainy day, this sort of rainy day is not welcome.  I saw a cartoon where a guy was seeing his doctor for a prescription.  He said, “I have the green one, the blue one, the red one and the orange one.  If you prescribe the brown one, I will have the set.”

Things that can be avoided should.  I know someone who was diagnosed with high blood pressure.  To avoid the tablet meant exercise.  They exercised profusely but to no avail.  Chances are, whether I like it or not, medication will be a rest of life thing.  Not needing it is a good thing, but many times it is needed.

Hindsight is a great teacher.  I am a home body.  If I knew 30 years ago what I know now, I would have done some things differently.  The home I would design or live in is one (assuming I have a choice).

Stairs are for the young and healthy, not for wheelchair bound people.  I know someone who lives in a unit.  It is really nice, but there is no lift.  To access the place, the stairs need to used.  Not for everyone.  I want to make things right for as many people as possible. 

My dad was over 90 when he passed on.  He lived with me.  I will never forget how the first thing he did when I bought my house was put ramps in.  He was old but mostly healthy, but ramps helped then, and they help now.

I was amazed at the lifts going in where I worked.  What stands out to me is how one of the oldest buildings had a lift added to the outside.  It meant everyone could use the facilities and not just some.  Lifts are expensive to put in and maintain, but I reckon if we can, we should.  Not doing it should not just be determined by me being too tight to do it.

Merril and I often shake our heads in wonder at our local shopping centre.  On one side car parks are under cover.  That is, for all but the wheelchair bound and mothers with babies.  Rain, hail or shine, they are always exposed to the elements.  To me that is just tight.

I would now design my shower like they do in hospitals.  No lip.  For most, a lip is neither here nor there.  For others it is a bridge too far.  Also rails to me should be built into every home.  Others may need them now, and I will in the future.  Subdued hall lighting is a good idea.  For many, negotiating the hall is easy peasy.  For others it is the difference between using it, or not using it and living with the consequences.

The best scenario is, for most of life, these things can be done without.  Should I live long and prosper, there is a good chance I will need them.