I never asked for the best life offers, nor expected it, I enjoyed making do and being inventive while raising 5 kids with the sometimes support of an alcoholic husband who eventually had a stroke and ended his troubles with a shotgun. Social Security was God's gift to me and I managed to keep my house and with frugality and doing without... I got by.
But the last two years have about got me whipped.
My old car finally bit the dust and now I wait patiently for one of my two willing kids to remember Mom needs groceries or prescriptions filled. I don't nag nor do I pry into their business. I have lent money when they needed it and bless them, they pay it back!
But I am losing my spunk. I just plain ache...7-24. I am 76 years old (and to all the 30 to 50 year old folks that think they are getting old, 76 IS old!)
I have Atrial Fib., Osteoarthritis, degererative joint disease, the cartiledge is going in my knees and shots don't help anymore. Floaters and the onset of cataracts irritate me as I was an avid reader... and the various drugs I am on now seem to be changing how I feel generally.
To anyone in my my boat, what do you do to make life look good again?

well I'm not in your boat, but my mom is around your age. She's 77 and she has her shares of aches and pains too. I just wanted to tell you that you've got a great attitude and a wonderful spirit and I can tell that you are a survivor! Can you get your old car fixed? Maybe your kids will help pay for that knowing that it will help you keep your independence? Do you like animals? Have you thought about adopting a dog or cat that needs a home to keep you company? Is there a senior center in your neighborhood that you can go to and make some friends and do some activities?
Keep posting, this is a great place. I'm sure someone will have some good ideas..... and Welcome!!

Thank you for answering...My old car is gone, I got $100 for it, Whoop-de-do! I miss it like crazy, but as people tend to get suicidal in their driving as of late, it may be safer for me to have a younger driver with quicker reflexes at the wheel.
I do have a dog and a cat in residence, they are deadly enemies. We have cat doors in two bedroom doors so the poor cat can run for her life!
My mini pincher came to me when she was 4 years old and weighing 11 pounds and all ready hating cats... but she has now acquired my eating habits and is a sausage on spindly legs. She actually can't get through the cat doors, like I can't sit in theater seats...I am still invited out, and have some email pals, my neighbors of many years are dying off, and I have lost the hunger to prove what a dandy artist I am and discourage commisioned jobs...although I could use the money.
The miracle I crave is to feel young again and look young again...it ain't gonin' to happen!

Have you tried an anti-depressant to up your mood? Paxil helped my 92 year old grandmother! I admire senior citizens who voluntarily decide that the roads are safer w/out them driving (even if the decision did come about as a result of a "broken" car!) My dad suffered from neuropathy and relinquished his license when he realized he had to look down to see if his foot was on the gas or brake! Does your town have public transportation? I park and ride a bus into the city for work, and the bus is FULL of seniors going out and about. Good luck w/ whatever you decide. Maybe the spring weather will cheer you!:)

Golly, I wish I could ride a bus, but I would never manage to make the step up! Or walk once I got there...And, I was, until the day I sold it, a darned good driver...one accident in 55 years and that was on a sheet of ice, going about 10 miles an hour...I slithered sideways and kissed a lady's bumper, leaving no dent or scrape.
It is the OTHER drivers I was fearful of...mostly the ones talking on their cell phones.
My knees are due for replacement if I ever get up the nerve to do it. When your cartiledge goes you are in for a treat!!! Pain like that can make you a tad cranky.
I used to have a great yard and garden...so pretty I would lay down in between the vegetable rows on the straw mulch and admire it from "bug level."
But if I tried to get down there now it would take a couple of strong men to haul me up again!
I still grow herbs on my deck railing and have a nice U shaped raised bed for growing a variety of things. I had planted fruit trees, grape vines, pawpaw trees, and two pecan trees. I gave up the bramble fruit (raspberries) after I fell into them and got impaled in many places!
I canned and taught myself to bake all kinds of bread...and still do bake every week. I write short stories and make illustrations for children's books...all for my self. My art workroom is filled with paintings and stuff I never bothered to try and sell...but I could if I wanted to.
My mind is still very active but my aches and pains make even raising my arms or taking a step bothersome. Fibromyalgia, on top of all the other stuff, is like having a toothache in your muscles all day and night long. Bone grating on bone in my knees makes me yelp involuntarily throughout the day. I could turn into a snarly mean old bat if I let go of my feelings!
I KNOW I am stuck with this, no body to blame for the natural process of growing old and wearing out. I just want to stay as cheerful as possible and be as productive as my rusting parts allow.

well I hear ya about the people on their cell phones......it just drives me nuts......what on earth could be so important that you've got to have that phone plastered to your ear every waking minute?
You sound very creative and very talented! Why don't you try to sell some of your artwork? It may be fun and profitable for you!
Stick around here, we'll keep you occupied!
:D

I have been there and done that...selling my art work, and I haven't got the drive I used to have to handle all the details. I have worked through a local art gallery, free lanced, word of mouth sales and commisions and had an interior decorator with rich clients keep me in spare cash for a couple of years doing painted furniture and fabrics. My style is realisim not folk art...I was just asked to come up with some ideas for wine labels and a logo for a new restaurant that will soon be built (I did one a few years ago for a Seafood place...that was fun.) But the years and the chronic pain kill the joy I used to feel doing it.Right now I am just trying to find ways to make each day interesting so that I actually want to get up in the morning!

Call some of your local churches/synagogs/whatever else...and speak with the secretary (they know the most). I know that most churches would immediately create a list of people who would come pick you up for service. Our congregation has a lot of older people so we have a Tuesday group that gets together and plays dominoes, etc...Some congregations are more youth-oriented, but there are certainly those who focus on the elders. You should be able to find a group who joyfully helps you find your way, and you may find that you have a purpose somewhere too! A good church family will help you meet many of these needs.

You can call groups like Meals on Wheels and find out other resources aimed at elders. My local pharmacy still delivers within the city limits! Maybe you can shop around and find one that does too.

Cataracts are definitely treatable these days, and many of the cataract doctors provide driving service....get that taken care of ASAP. Hold on to as much of your independence as you can!

Call those kids and have your grandkids come do work for you around the house. You can always pay them $5 or something....Hang in there and let us know how it goes!