10 Things Nobody Tells You About Getting Old

Age has a habit of sneaking up on us all, but when you’re young you rarely stop to think about how or when it will happen to you. Age affects us all a little differently, but it is likely you will be facing a few of these issues in the future, so read on and be prepared!

1. Your Back and Joints Get Stiff

OK, so it’s no revelation that your joints get a bit stiffer as you get older, but have you thought about how this will affect you? What starts with you hanging up those football boots for the final time will lead to you struggling to put on your socks! Luckily, we have a great little gadget to aid you. Our sock helper makes it easy to slip your feet into a pair of socks without having to bend over. Which is really handy, because…

2. Your Feet Will Be Cold All The Time

Like your back, your feet will feel like they are always aching as everything gets stiffer. And a reduction in blood flow will make your feet feel colder too. A good pair of slippers and thick socks are a must.

3. You Might Be More Accident Prone

Incontinence is no laughing matter. As we get older, parts of our body just stop working as they used to, and this includes your bladder and bowels. If you think that you will not be affected by this, look at the stats: 24% of older people in the UK suffer from urinary incontinence, and half of all women will suffer at some point in their lives.

A new mattress cover and maybe a chair protector can offer a little reassurance for those prone to accidents. And when you wake at night with an uncontrollable urge to go to the toilet, you can guarantee that your bones and muscles will choose this time to not cooperate - you may not have the mobility to get from bed to loo fast enough. This is why so many people have a commode in their bedrooms - luckily, you can buy stylish commodes that look like normal armchairs!

4. Your Hands Will Get Weaker

When you think about the battles you will face as you grow older, the first thought is probably not of fighting lids. But the chances are that your hands will weaken and one day the simple lid will become your daily nemesis.

To make matters worse, your wrists start to weaken too, and you might struggle to lift a heavy kettle to make a cup of tea and cheer yourself up! Fear not – all you need in your arsenal to overcome these challenges is a jar and bottle opener and kettle tipper.

5. And They Might Shake, Too

Shaky hands is a common problem as we get older - it’s not the same as Parkinson's, but is caused by essential tremor, a more common nerve disorder affecting 1 in 5 people over 65. An unsteady hand can make drinking from glasses and cups more difficult, so that much needed cup of tea might end up all over your lap. Luckily, you can literally give yourself a hand - our Hand Steady Cup Holder gives your favourite mug an extra handle for support.

6. Eating Will Get Tougher

What with weaker hands and wrists, and the shakes, wielding a knife and fork can become an Olympian challenge for the best of us. But if you suffer from arthritis too, it can be nigh on impossible to use your old cutlery. Our arthritis friendly cutlery set solves the problem.

7. You Won’t Get Out So Much

One of the saddest truths of ageing is that you just won’t get out and about as much. As well as a declining circle of friends and no work colleagues to grab a quick drink with, those stiffening joints, combined with reduced fitness and lung capacity (mostly affecting smokers) will make it harder to get out and about. This can lead to chronic loneliness, depression and even vitamin D deficiency.

Don’t let age be a barrier to getting out – invest in a good walking aid or a mobility scooter and you will soon be happier and healthier again.

8. Your Eyesight Will Get Worse

For many the need to wear glasses is the first hint of the bodily changes to come. The decline is often gradual and constant, and your failing eyesight can make simple tasks such as clipping your toenails a perilous act. We have a range of magnifying glasses to help with reading and hobbies. If it all sounds a bit bleak, there is some good news…

9. More Meals In Bed!

Getting older is the perfect excuse to enjoy more meals in your favourite armchair or in bed! There’ll be no more yelling at the kids to come to the table for dinner – instead, you can decide to have your dinner on an adjustable table on your chair, or if you’re really lucky, on a luxury lap tray in bed!

10. You’ll Have The Ultimate Armchair

In the mobility business they are called riser recliner chairs, but they are really the ultimate in living room comfort. Take the Comfourt Seeker Celeste – it lets you recline back to a sleeping position, as well as creating the perfect TV viewing position, and will help lift you up out of the chair if you’re struggling a bit. Until you own a massage riser recliner you won’t know what comfort really is!

Growing old is certainly not without its challenges, but with a few handy mobility aids around the house, you can have a long and enjoyable retirement.

The best thing about getting older for most people is all the spare time you have - more time for hobbies, social clubs, and spending time with grandchildren, who always help to keep us feeling young.