Dad is 80 this year, inevitable he will slow down now?

[lightcreamandcinnamon]

My DF is 80 this year. He has always been extremely active and busy, probably too busy at times as he’s driven my mum mad where he won’t sit down. Anyway, in the last year he’s suffered a few health issues, spine issues which he had an operation for, kidney stones and now he’s got a knee fracture and he still won’t sit still.
I am wondering if he’s likely to slow down a bit soon? I know the whole use it or lose it rule, but he won’t even sit still when injured. Will the 80s calm him down a bit?

Good luck with that. He might slow down eventually, but I know my 87 year old neighbours family have threatened to tie her down if she sets foot in the garden again (and no I won't be ratting on her about moving those flowerpots this morning, although I did mention she has been told not to). As for her social life, she has more days out, coffee mornings, walks, visits than I have ever had!

Goodness I don’t know, my DFIL had two partial knee replacements at 82 - is now 85 and is about to depart for a Caribbean cruise.

His wife (a little younger by a year) - just bought herself a new Range Rover Velar and regularly drives 5/6 hours for sleepovers with her sisters.

I don’t know how they do it, they also go swimming twice a week and play tennis during the better weather. Maniacs. Love them though.

Mine's still running around like he's invincible so it's not a guarantee. Replacing his joints and removing various bits of him seems to have had quite the rejuvenating effect.

Wow betide anyone who tries to tell me what I can and can’t do in my own garden if I make it to 87!

It varies so much.

My parents died late 70s/early 80s and many of my friends’ parents are either dead or have dementia. On the other hand, I have a couple of friends with parents in their late 80s who are making the most of what time they have left: lots of meals out and travel.

And Warren Buffett (famous investor) just retired at 94. He said he didn’t really feel old until he hit 90!

Ha my 94 year old grandma has only just stopped digging the potato patch. She also goes on holiday every year with her cronies. I think the stubborn-ness is what keeps them going.

Not necessarily, my DF has but my DM (83) and DFIL (88) are both very active still. DMum broke her leg a few months ago and was forcibly immobilised and it was awful for her mental health, but she was fully up to speed with everything again after two months. Likewise with DFIL, he slowed down when he needed a hip replacement but now that's been done he is back to his old active self.

Hopefully not! My Dad is 86 and strong as an ox with a sharp mind. He’s had health set backs (minor stroke, knee replacements etc). He sticks two fingers up at anyone suggests he take it easy. He did have a tricky spell last summer and was off gym or any exercise for 6 weeks. He doesn’t understand that it’ll take his body longer to recover but I swear his bullheadedness is the reason he’s in such rude health. Drives my mum mad but equally, she wouldn’t want him sat in a chair all day. I hope I am lucky enough to follow suite.

He gyms twice a week, does lots of physical hobbies, takes up new hobbies which I think keeps his brain functioning better than mine!

My grandparents are in their 80s and are very active. They go on holidays abroad a few times a year, go to the gym, play golf, always out at social events. My nan gets her hair and nails done fortnightly and is always in full make up. No sign of slowing down yet

If you can keep him active do! My Dad was still diving with me at 80. He’s 89 this year and had a few health issues but is playing 9 holes of golf this afternoon and coming on a canal boat holiday in a few weeks.

My aunt is 91 and charging around happily. Compare with 90yo MIL who never charged anywhere and is now pretty immobile in a care home. Good luck yo him!

Don't stop moving! Keep him going as long as possible. No need to stop!

My almost 87 year old DDad is fit and healthy. He went out for a bit of a stroll the other day and did 20k steps. I had to take him somewhere the other day where most of the people of a similar and younger age had walking sticks, frames etc and he couldnt understand why. He has always been active and will hopefully stay that way for quite a few more years.

He will ultimately slow down over time, aging takes its toll on everyone who doesn't die prematurely, exceptions include someone falling off a mountain. There might be exceptions to the general rule but it is silly to project one or two extremes onto the entire distribution. I noticed it in my former bridge club the slowing down of the players, over the years it slowly took longer to get through a session, nowadays they play fewer boards.

Sometimes, a one-off event can slow them down, especially more so as they age, because you lose mobility very quickly with illness at an advanced age, and it takes a lot of determination and effort to get it back.
But why would you want him too? The less he does, the less he will be able to do.
My nan was still ballroom dancing at 97. At 100, she was still getting the bus into town to meet her friends for lunch, still going on holiday, and still doing all her own shopping, cooking, and cleaning. I think she lasted so long because she was a moving target that wouldn't stay still long enough.

When FIL was 76 he called us and said he had to help next door with their roof "because they were old."
😅😂😆
He made it to 98, in pretty good nick until the very end.

My mum slowed down around 88 or 89.

My dad is 80 years young. Triple heart bypass two years ago and a mild stroke last Christmas. Does he slow down ?? Does he heck!!! Ten pin bowling, lawn bowls, social groups 3 time's a week, walks as much as he can. Still grows his own vegetables and looks after the house. Also does volunteering work....the man is unstoppable. He is slowing down a bit.... he's stopped fixing the roof on his own now

Interesting you asked that question. This morning I saw a clip of a woman in her 90s and she was fit, coordinated, strong due to daily gym classes. I deeply admire the willpower and commitment utilised to build and retain muscles and functional movement. I hope I follow in her footsteps.

Weirdly I have friends in their early 50s who now think they should slow down due to their age when really they need to be maximising resistance training for health post menopause.