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Original poster

Future proofing. Should we all learn to 'air fry' in our 50s and 60s?

88 replies

Mum5net · 17/10/2023 17:35

Been thinking what skills I need to future proof better.

When DMil was around 85 and could no longer safely use the cooker, DBil bought her a microwave and placed it on the kitchen counter. Immediately she demanded to know why there was a TV set in her kitchen...

Future proof fail on our part. From then on, DMil could never heat her own Wiltshire Farm Food lunches or a M&S ready meal. She wasn't receptive to acquiring the skills and we'd left it too late for her to embrace the convenience of microwaving...

DH and I, early 60s, have bought an air fryer. I don't love it as we steam just about everything. However, remembering where we let Granny down, it will inevitably bring us more cooking choices at Granny's age

OP posts:
WhateverMate · 17/10/2023 17:37

You just treat air fryers as the mini ovens that they are.

It's a shame they weren't around when your MIL was, as it would've been easier than learning to microwave I expect.

DustyLee123 · 17/10/2023 17:47

For future proofing you need to exercise and get strong, particularly in your legs. Balance and strength are so important.

cardibach · 17/10/2023 17:51

DustyLee123 · 17/10/2023 17:47

For future proofing you need to exercise and get strong, particularly in your legs. Balance and strength are so important.

And core (for balance).
Also keep learning new things to keep the knack of it. Evening classes, art societies, craft skills, join a music group of some sort - whatever takes your fancy.

Fissssh · 17/10/2023 17:52

Keep on top of new technology, especially where health care and finances are concerned.

Put power of attorney in place now (it won't be activated but your wishes will be legally recorded).

Declutter. Get rid of EVERYTHING you don't need so you are prepared should you need to downsize.

Beezknees · 17/10/2023 17:55

I'm 33 and I've never used an air fryer in my life!

MeinKraft · 17/10/2023 17:58

I got an air fryer yesterday and I'm a bit underwhelmed. It's just like having another oven. But slightly faster.

minipie · 17/10/2023 17:59

I know very little about air fryers but why are they safer than ovens? Don’t they still get hot inside?

I can see them being more future proof due to energy saving but is there a safety benefit?

80sMum · 17/10/2023 18:01

DustyLee123 · 17/10/2023 17:47

For future proofing you need to exercise and get strong, particularly in your legs. Balance and strength are so important.

This - with bells on! Very important.

HahaIlovehalloween · 17/10/2023 18:02

Got one the other day. Not much to it. It's a mini oven.

helpfulperson · 17/10/2023 18:05

Walking with a walker before they need one. We left it too late with my dad and he ended up in a wheelchair as his alzheimer's meant he couldn't learn. With my mum we went out walking with one as well as just her stick and she now manages it fine.

TidalShore · 17/10/2023 18:07

@minipie My grandmother loved hers as she found it much easier than her oven. As she had limited mobility she could use it sat on her stool, rather than worrying about lifting trays in and out, and the handle on the basket was easier and safer to hold so less chance of burning hands or dropping hot trays.

minipie · 17/10/2023 18:22

Ah ok makes sense, it’s the handle isn’t it.

Nowherenew · 17/10/2023 18:29

Fissssh · 17/10/2023 17:52

Keep on top of new technology, especially where health care and finances are concerned.

Put power of attorney in place now (it won't be activated but your wishes will be legally recorded).

Declutter. Get rid of EVERYTHING you don't need so you are prepared should you need to downsize.

100% this!!

Its hard to prepare for the future with technology, as it changes so rapidly.

But trying to keep up with it is going to help so much.

Decluttering is a big one that many of my family members wished their elderly family did.
Its very hard to get rid of your loved ones stuff after they’ve just died or gone into a home.
And it just easier for you if you need to downsize as the PP said.

AdaColeman · 17/10/2023 18:31

Another "safety feature" of air fryers is that they turn themselves off when they have completed the cooking cycle, so no oven left on to overheat by mistake.

Smartfox · 17/10/2023 18:45

I saw an article written by Joan Bakewell who talked about taking control of her older age. She thought about what she wanted, to stay in her own home, and then thought about how she could facilitate that.
So she downsized to a manageable space, got a Gardener and gadgets to help her, stream lined her finances...... I know, I know, it's easy for her with money to put into it but it made me think..
Think about approaching it as a positive.
My elderly mother has done non of this just struggled stubbornly with things beyond her (some admire this as independence when actually she is failing) and fought me on every suggestion of help from the grass cutter man to a raised toilet seat

ErrolTheDragon · 17/10/2023 18:50

The in-laws had a counter top mini oven that they could use perfectly well, and when mil broke an arm and fil needed to heat meals he was able to use a simple microwave. Nowadays I'd expect most people now in their 60s/70s/80s are perfectly familiar with microwaves.

Haveyouseenthemuffinman · 17/10/2023 18:56

My parents bought new armchairs in their mid sixties. they were those recliner ones with ejector seat options - rise to lift or something. Whilst I’m still firmly of the “use it or you’ll lose it” mentality and think that the fact they used the ejector seat functionality when they were ok but “a bit stiff” was pretty rubbish, when Dad majorly injured his knees a few years later it was brilliant.

Haveyouseenthemuffinman · 17/10/2023 18:57

Oh and the other thing, if you need a bed downstairs do you have somewhere you could put it? Even if it’s only temporary recovery from a surgery, thinking through that before you need it is a very good thing.

JanglyBeads · 17/10/2023 19:03

This is a really good thread, lots to think about for a fifty something single person!

Uggghhhh · 17/10/2023 19:04

I’m conscious of this tech wise. My 64 year old friend st work who retires next year has all her concerts and travel plans saved on a snazzy app. She also drops pins all over googlemaps to remind her of places to go or recommendations she’s been given so she can refer to them easily.

My parents, early/mid 70s, are still skeptical about food shopping online, and internet banking.

I really want to keep up with whatever things like that will be around when we’re older.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 17/10/2023 19:10

I read a tip somewhere about balance. Brush your teeth standing on one leg. A lot of us go into hospital following a fall and never come out again, so actively train your balance.

AbbeyGailsParty · 17/10/2023 19:14

Have a legal medical directive drawn up ( used to be called a Living Will) You can state you don’t wish to be resuscitated, kept alive on life support etc. but alternatively you can state you do want CPR, ventilation, all treatments available..

helpfulperson · 17/10/2023 19:15

Haveyouseenthemuffinman · 17/10/2023 18:56

My parents bought new armchairs in their mid sixties. they were those recliner ones with ejector seat options - rise to lift or something. Whilst I’m still firmly of the “use it or you’ll lose it” mentality and think that the fact they used the ejector seat functionality when they were ok but “a bit stiff” was pretty rubbish, when Dad majorly injured his knees a few years later it was brilliant.

I agree with both how good they are and that they should also only be used when needed. My Dad's OT asked us to stop calling them ejector seats though. She said she had elderly people very reluctant to use them because they thought they would fire them straight out of the seat rather than the very gentle rise they actually do !!

lljkk · 17/10/2023 19:19

DS's air fryer died after almost 2 years.
I've never had a microwave or a big cooker or even a toaster oven die so early.

DuranNotSpandeau · 17/10/2023 19:20

There's a whole movement in Sweden which translates as "death cleaning", a gradual process of decluttering and simplifying your life while you are young enough to do so, in order to lessen the burden on your loved ones.

I'm only middle aged but have started doing this because by nature I keep far too much (very eco-conscious so I hate throwing things away) and I am very messy. If I died tomorrow my DH would be overwhelmed by the amount of shit I own that's arranged chaotically.

I'm trying to persuade my mum to get a smart phone. She's not convinced she can learn how to use one but if I can get her to use one in store then it would be brilliant for her to join family and friend WhatsApp groups at the very least.