Are you a retired, single woman?

[TeachMeSomething]

If you're retired (or soon to be) and single, what steps are you taking to try to remain healthy, strong and living independently for as long as is humanly possible?

For example, have you downsized to somewhere you could continue to live as you get older? Have you moved to a walkable town or city? Are you a bit fanatical about your diet?

Would love to hear your ideas!

I was just thinking about the Bungalow Legs.... in anticipation of my old age I got a shower room + loo installed downstairs recently. Never had a d/s loo before so it was a complete luxury for me, and future proofing also.

Anyway, I couldn't count the number of times I ran up the stairs badly in need of the loo, only to remember that I had one downstairs 😊But I also think it's good to go up and down the stairs like that several times a day to keep us mobile. However, I double that because when I get to the top of the stairs, I often can't remember why I went up! Then I have to retrace my steps and try and remember the reason for going up there. And up I go again. I do laugh at myself sometimes, but forgetfulness like that is keeping me on my toes, and I'm not worried about it, we all do it I think!

The biggest advantage of the d/s loo for me would be the fact that visitors could use it and not have to be trailing through the rest of the house. Before I downsized, I had an en-suite - which meant that the hardly-ever-used main bathroom was always immaculate whenever unexpected visitors came! 😀

My in-laws- mid 80s - manage their stairs and garden just fine. I wonder when/if they become a thing.

In my experience, I think it's often when an incident or accident or diagnosis occurs that completely 'derails' them.

@LoserWinner I do think that’s a big part of what can become an issue - the constant doing stuff to fit in with/ accommodate significant partners life and money choices- which don’t always match with yours -

I’m with you there. I see friends of my own age - men and women - who can’t live their best lives because their partner/spouse’s choices and behaviours diverge from their own, so they are constantly compromising. I revel in being able to say ‘sod it, I’ll skip lunch and spend a couple of hours in the gym’ (as I did today) or ‘I fancy the theatre tonight - I can grab a sandwich on the way and then have some soup when I get in late’. It’s even harder when the partner has health issues. I count myself very fortunate that I was divorced well before I retired. I certainly do not miss being shackled to someone else and their lifestyle.

My mum, in her late 80s, managed reasonably well. Until she didn’t.

slipped when she tried to get to the loo during the night. Broke her hip and wasn’t found for at least 8 hours.

she had a hip replacement and superb medical care, but she never walked again. She simply didn’t have the strength. Died 16 months later. Those months were……. No, I don’t want to go there - it is too distressing.

As I am getting older, my focus is on maintaining my strength and simplifying my life. If I could give one piece of advice to anyone it would be to work really hard for your bones and muscles to remain strong and healthy. For those who have rarely exercised it may seem alien, but resistance training is so worth it.

Here endeth the sermon!

You know @TeachMeSomething I've just realised I asked a daft question!

By 'derails', I didn't mean that it kills them. Just something that completely stops them in their tracks - like the death of a partner, for example, and they seem to lose all their momentum and never really get going again. It's as if they don't see the point any more. Or they can't muster up the energy any longer.

An interesting thread - I am in the process of downsizing the family home. I divorced 20+ years ago, brought the Ex out and now rattling around a 4 bedroom house. It took me best part of 3 years to find a place where I thought I would be happy. I had a set of criteria non negotiable - shop walking distance of the house, bus service, drs sugery, vets, pharmacy. I was looking at alsorts of coastal locations which are all very nice in the summer but tbh very bleak in the winter. I was interested in cinema, theatre, football so rail links were important. Can't tell you how many locations I looked at - it was alot - but I needed to get this right. Hopefully moving in the next month. Key is what is your key criteria and what is the budget. Don't leave the decision to move too late - I saw this with parents - get to the age where you cba.

Can I ask where you chose please?