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

[Mum5net]

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

This. My Dad lived to be 92 and did his own Internet shopping and banking until the end. He worked in technology all his life so was that way inclined anyway but anyone who says they are too old to learn new things ,(that don't rely on any special skills anyway like an air fryer or microwave)is condemning themselves.

I have one I have never seen anyone else suggest- possibly because it's unworkable and ridiculous? I do't know. I think everyone should be taught sign language from primary school. Being able to sign should just be a routine part of our lives. Fabulous to have a second language anyway-there have been loads of times in my life when a deaf person has had to put all the work into communicating with me while I just stood there like an ignorant lemon- but with the added benefit of us all being able to communicate as we get older and our hearing declines.

Great thread!

From observing my 90 year old mother I would also add that it's important to accept help graciously when offered ... my DM is still very fiesty and independent which is great, in many ways, but I do wish she would accept a little help. (I appreciate lots of mumsnetters will be overwhelmed with demands from their elderly parents so it is a different sort of problem to have!).
She does yoga, bridge, meeting friends etc etc so she is great but simple things like letting me taking her washing home (she still treks to a launderette - just because she says she has 'no room' for a washing machine), doesn't like people giving her lifts ... says the bus is fine (thank goodness she gave up her car) etc etc. At last she has accepted help mowing the lawn .... but still does her own gardening as she says no one else does it 'properly'.

@Ragwort your point on buses made me lol, it is very much in my plan to move back into the city for my old age so that I have buses on my doorstep. I actually can't wait to give up my car and jump around with my free bus pass!

I don't use an air fryer, but my 94 year old mum does! She also Facetime's me. There's no age limit to learning new skills - just the right attitude.

I keep mine in the now redundant oven! The oven has become a cupboard. Air fryer is excellent and saves me a lot of money.

People who don't want an air fryer could consider a worktop mini oven. We have a Sage one and it is brilliant. Fan, convection or grill. Pre heat and warming functions. Pizza and defrost settings. Temperature and timer adjustable with knobs, and a clear digital display timer. We don't have a microwave at the moment but I believe Sage make a model that incorporates one.

We are 72/73 and between us have very different attitudes to modern technology. I find a smartphone very handy but DH has a "dumb" phone which he much prefers. He was horrified when I told him 2G is being shut down and his phone may be dead rather than dumb soon! He can use an iPad though, so not helpless, just stubborn.

We are building a house next year (still in planning process) I asked the architect for a house with stairs but also space for a lift. We will have a massive airing cupboard downstairs with space above for a lift shaft. I do agree having stairs is good for fitness.

One of the barriers to older people learning how to do new things is often, I suspect, eyesight. DMil had macular degeneration, it wasn't very obvious in most of what she did that she was familiar with but the attempt to get her using a mobile phone (simple non smart back then) failed ... turned out when DH was trying (over the landline) to tell her which button to press she was actually holding her tv remote not the phone.

That's an extreme case but a lot of instruction manuals are in small print so it occurs to me that if you've got an older relative struggling with a new device, they may need help with that - in some cases just find the online version and read on a device with large print settings.

And meanwhile look after your eyes - eye tests and wear sunglasses etc.

I can only repeat what I suggested when you posted in your thread yesterday:

You are at a good age to establish good habits, @Sleeplessinseattle234 !

Walking swimming, cycling - anything that enhances general fitness is all good.

Cardio helps with the above but can be boring. Try Growingannanas - the lovely Anna has loads of programs, from 12-minute tabata to serious weight-based workouts.

Any kind of exercise, even walking, is easier if you have a strong core, which means abs workouts and planks. Suggestions: Rebecca Louise's Best Abs, Caroline Girvan's Braced Core & Abs, and the Bowflex 3-minute plank.

The importance of weight-bearing exercise has already been mentioned, and this. Is so, so important. You need a pair of 3-5kg dumbbells (dependingon current strength/fitness) and a mat. Plus Caroline Girvan - look her up. Life-changing!

(NB: I started all this 4 years ago. I'm nearly 70 and fitter than in my 40s. I WISH I'd started this many years ago. But it's never too late!!)

Great tips here thanks. I have bought the book referred to above and looked up Caroline Girvan on YouTube.
For those who are less fit like me ( having had to abandon daily crosstrainer and bike due to dodgy knees) may I recommend 'Fabfifties' walking workouts with the lovely Australian Sheleigh on YouTube. V gentle to get you started.

I don't even have an oven! The microwave is all that's supplied in most of the units. Since a cooked meal per day is covered by the rent, the idea is that most people eat together in the general dining room. Not everyone does, because it's served at lunchtime, and plenty of us prefer eating our main meal at night, hence needing to reheat it.

I did look at air fryers for doing fish and chips, for instance (they don't microwave well) but the kitchen bench is just too small to take one along with a small toaster and electric kettle.

Lots to consider.
I'm lucky, I walk the dog socially for 90 mins before work. I can see the sense in a few days of shorter walks and doing strengthening exercises instead. Thanks to all for the links as I, too, will follow those up.
Absolutely yes to the suggestions about not burdening DC with clutter, not imposing social care demands and remaining open minded to their observations. (I'm another whose parents refused POA so when we had to apply for deputyship 9 years ago, we did our own.)
Down-sizing and Swedish Death Cleaning have started, albeit, not at pace.
Speaking to gadgets is something that I've never done but I'm starting now as I need that in my muscle memory. That's way up there among the most important tasks..
I also was inspired by the 64 year old colleague who had embraced travel apps. I fancy some skin in that game. I'm hoping to do home swaps when I retire.