Seniors & Limitations In Christmas Decorating
Just reading ‘seniors & limitations in Christmas decorating’ probably tells you where this is going.
This is the first Christmas I am not putting up a tree. I’m 66 and have had some issues with my health the last couple of years.
Every year I’d tell myself maybe it was the year to scale back.
But then I’d find myself digging through the storage bins for all my tree ornaments.
This year that hasn’t happened.
I’m decorating my home for the holidays with various vignettes.
I’ve decided I’m not going to knock myself out getting a tree up and decorated for one month out of the year.
The Senior Years:
Suddenly what’s paramount is the fear of falling.
It’s inevitable. There’s no point in lamenting what your body once was and no longer is.
If you live alone, you worry about who would find you and how long it would take for them to miss you.
If, like me, you live in a senior apartment or condo, then you’re surrounded with people your age.
Some are in fine shape, and I imagine others are having mobility problems like I am.
Months ago I went into a clinic and had to ask for a wheelchair. It was the first time I’d had to do that.
For some reason I was embarrassed.
I knew those people in the waiting room would be kind and get up to open doors for me.
And of course I welcomed their kindness and was grateful for it.
But that person who hopped right up and opened a door for an older person used to be me.
Appreciate The Good Days:
Learn to appreciate the good days and fully enjoy them. And cope as well as you can on days when everything seems a little harder.
It’s normal to want to remain independent. But don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Aging happens to all of us. Wrinkles and bad knees and aching backs.
It’s often called the waning years.
But I often look back and wonder where the years went. That continuous winding and seemingly never ending road.
And now here I am at the other end of the journey in life.
Alive but not kicking as high.
Enjoying My Scaled Back Decorating:
I have to say that I’m enjoying my “scaled back Christmas decorating.”
It isn’t as robust as in previous years.
There isn’t as much glitter and baubles and twinkly lights.
But that’s okay.
For me it’s “just enough.”
And that’s all that matters.
I am grateful for my health every single day. I’m older than you are and so of course I have some issues. However, so far keeping them in check. I enjoy every day I am able to do what I want and never take it for granted. I think at some point we all have to accept what is even if its not what we want. I think you are doing just that Brenda!
I’ve lost two comments I’ve written and not sure why. I know your vignettes are lovely. Your decorating has always been delightful.
Sorry to hear of
the falls ladies. Sending healing thoughts for all
of you.
When I hurt my back I started keeping a tree up year round and decorating for each holiday. My granddaughter calls it my happy tree. At 4 years old she’s decided she’s big enough to help me decorate the happy tree and if it makes her happy who am I to argue?
You may have mentioned this, but have you thought to find another doctor’s opinion on your ankle? Maybe there’s something another doctor can do.
But I get it. I have nerve root issues from bulging discs that leave a “dead” leg and I have to work it otherwise it gets worse, but at 62 it’s really depressing to know all the things I love – hiking, walking, etc., isn’t ever going to be as much as I like and at times, if any.
We can only do what we can do. Sadly, as we age we slow down, as well. Big Sigh!
I was at the airport recently and before I even got in the door I had a very nasty fall. I was falling and there was nothing to stop me – it was almost a full face plant into the pavement and concrete. I banged up both knees and my right shoulder. Thankfully I didn’t break anything but it was a huge scare for me. Step lightly and carefully!
While I love and appreciate a beautifully decorated house, I find as I get older, that the thought of dragging everything out, and the thought of putting it all away, is very daunting. It was one thing when my grandkids were little and at my house every day, but now they only come over occasionally, so it’s a lot of work for just the two of us. I like the idea of cutting back a little, although I will decorate a tree. I keep my artificial tree up all year, so all I need to do is put the ornaments on and take them off. That, and a FEW other decorations, should be just enough, I think. Elizabeth, I’m so sorry, and I hope you get better reall soon!
Well, indeed very timely words, Brenda…we must be more sensible now. Hubby fell going onto porch (1 step) the 20th, took me down with him, both of us landing on concrete. We don’t seem to have any broken bones, but we have suffered a lot of pain here and there…arthritis was already acting up. So just like in so many things in this time of life, in future we must be way more careful…he is not going to be allowed to walk with can outside now…I am insisting on the wheelchair…which I will be pushing out to car. I feel the past number of years has just been one thing after the other as to things we have to give up, or cut back, or find another way of doing. But we are all fighting to remain independent right? So it is what it is. I think this past year has been made so much harder by all the phone calls from telemarketers (We finally had to turn off one phone we had). And having to spend almost 3 hrs online (talking to some 3rd world country) about the problems with t mobile where they turned off our phones without any warning at all. Long story…yes, indeed we will be finding another carrier. I feel at our ages, we must be on some list for all the users and liars to pester near to death. As if we don’t have enough troubles day to day. OH well…if they live long enough they too shall get their time in our situation (I have told a few that)! Blessings to Elizabeth for a quick recovery…so sorry to hear this!!
Oh, I’m sorry! Falling is so scary for seniors.
I don’t plan to do any decorating this year because I have a 5 month old kitten. Need I say more? To tell you the truth, I feel a bit relieved about not having to go through all the decorating this year. I’m 74 now, able bodied, and my storage room is just behind a door, but I’m just tired of putting up all those decorations and the tree and then having to take them all down. I guess you’d call that lazy and I’m okay with that. Leaves more time for pondering. Got lots of stuff to ponder on, you know.
Oh, a kitten! I’m jealous. Enjoy it.
I will echo what a couple of others have said today. Please don’t give up on your mobility. Your body has taken a bit hit from the ankle surgery rehab and the muscles, tendons and ligaments in your legs, back, core etc have all been affected. Maybe your primary doc could refer you to an occupational therapist who can assess where you are, how you live, what functions are important on a daily basis etc and help you to become strong in the areas that can help you live w more independence and less pain. You are worth the effort. I love minimal decorating too. Some years I just put out up my mom’s little vintage table top tree and then I fill plates and bowls w ornaments and place them around the house.
I had an MRI on my back last Sunday. A cyberattack on the medical system here has kept me from finding anything out because I’m cut off from my records. Doctors at Hillcrest can’t see patients because they can’t access charts. Everyone is on hold. We don’t know for how long. But it’s already been well over a week and counting.
I’ve never really thought it was fun to decorate a tree. I do have a few smaller ones . I like to plug them in and fluff up the branches . And that’s enough for me. I’m very excited I’m getting a Maltese miniature poodle mix on December 14 . He’s 2-3 years old , I’m getting him from a rescue . So he will also determine how much decorating is going to be done .
I love how you did your mantle, it’s beautiful !
Oh, I’m so excited for you!
I’m with you! I’m 76! Pretty mobile still but I just don’t feel like getting everything out and carrying tubs, etc. I’m home alone most of the time anyway. I do enjoy a tree, but this year decided I’m just putting up a little something and will string some lights around it. Found the perfect Christmas “pitcher” with greens and baubles in it, so put the lights on it, and it sits where I can see if from when I watch TV. I love it! Really, a tree isn’t the real meaning of Christmas anyway, so if I can only put up my nativity scene, I think that is much more meaningful anyway. (if I can dig it out from my closet)!!!! Marilyn
Well, just be careful. Everyone seems to be falling and injuring themselves!
I’m right behind you at 64 and though I’m more mobile, I do have some issues that are making things harder and I’m worried about losing my mobility. I finished cancer treatment a few months ago and because of that, my balance sucks. I sometimes have to tell people that “No, I haven’t been drinking.” I also have back problems due to an old auto accident injury. Along with osteoporosis, I’m terrified of falling.
What I’m doing (while I still can) is I’m trying to do something active every day. Many days I go to the YMCA and take a water class (if I fall, I’m in the water) or a chair exercise class or yoga class. I feel the stronger and more limber I am now, the longer I will stay mobile.
I wish I could still walk my 4 small dogs, but that’s an accident waiting to happen.
I’d love to take walks. Go to the park and take photos like I used to. But that’s on hold for now anyway and the near future.
How very scary for Elizabeth…hope you have a speedy recovery…I cut way back also…the month goes by so fast after all the work…so I put up winter things that can stay up after Xmas. We spend our time in one room…used to do the whole house.. not anymore.. love vinyettes and enjoy yours…life changes so fast…💕
I’m just doing something in the living room, dining space which of course is part of the living space. And the little vignette in the kitchen. I can’t summon up the energy or push past the pain to do more.
There’s good sense in what Linda commented about seeing a different doctor. When dealing with such a debilitating condition as your injured ankle and the subsequent side effects on other parts of your body that it has caused, I would want a second and maybe even a third opinion for something so important and vital – the ability to be able to move around without needing a scooter. You can search for orthopedic physicians in your area online. And perhaps look into getting a female doctor instead of a male doctor, who – sad to say – sometimes tend to pooh pooh women when they talk about their aches and pains, like it’s all in our heads. Christmas decorations – oh boy. I’ve been hauling a couple of boxes up from basement storage daily over the past few days. I’m “decking my halls” more than I’ve been doing over the past 2-3 years because I’ll have some family staying here for some days and I want the house to look festive, more so than when it’s just me here. I’ve still got several more boxes to haul up. I am fortunate because I can do the 11 steps up and down several times with no aches or pain but I am very cognizant of and fearful of falling. Some decorating has been done, inside and outside. Several more boxes to haul up and I didn’t help myself any by recently buying a bunch more cute animal and bird ornaments on sale at Hobby Lobby. I’m such a sucker for a cardinal ornament, sigh. I’m just happy I was able to lug the Christmas tree upstairs (in 3 parts) and get it put together, that took 2 days (Thanksgiving exercising). Here it is 2:30 p.m. and I’m tired out, there will be no more hauling of boxes up from the basement today or decorating today. I know my limitations. By Dec. 25 I should have the tree just about finished 🙂
Well, I’m trying to get my back problem figured out, which is a big part of why I can’t walk. But as I answered a comment above, we are all frozen by a medical cyberattack. No one can access their records or get medications filled or anything.
Beautiful inspirational words for sure. Never be ashamed to grow older. Although it is hard at times not everyone has the privilege of growing older. My husband is gone for the day at his monthly work retirement lunch. This is when I run around the house putting everything back where it belongs. While I can I am not carrying the Christmas bins downstairs while I am home alone. We will both do that tomorrow. Enjoy your evening.
Yes, please wait until he’s there. I find that there’s a form of grace in aging if you approach it the right way and stay positive.
Perfect timing for this article. I am reading this while lying in a hospital bed, because I fell backward down my cellar stairs carrying my Christmas tree up, fracturing my right pelvis. I think that going forward my tree will stay in my cellar
Sending you light, love and wishes for a speedy recovery.
Oh no! I’m so sorry. Christmas decorating just isn’t worth that, is it? I hope you’re home soon. Leave it down there!
Oh no Elizabeth! I’m sending hugs and prayers that u have a speedy recovery!
Sending healing hugs to you! As bad as it sounds it might have been worse and I wish you a speedy recovery!
Have you thought of going to a different doctor? I have a friend who just spent the lady 3 years dealing with severe pain fro her knee replacement. She finally found a new doctor opened her knee up again and found it was infected. After 6 weeks of daily infusions she is finally getting back to normal. She is sorry she waited so long.
I don’t have any knee problems. I just used that for an example.