Elderly parents arguing about going out in the snow.

tanith

OH bought us both shoe grippers before the Winter started and I must say they are excellent. They fit on any shoe or boot and have metal springs underneath which provide perfect grip and no slipping even on packed ice.. I've been out walking everyday no hint of a slip people do start to get 'cabin fever' if you are used to going out and about I know I would if I couldn't get down the garden to feed the birds or go for a walk each day..

Goldiegirl

4 years I slipped on ice and bashed up my knee really badly, I wasn't even 50 at the time, so I wasn't even that elderly!

I was fortunate not to break my knee, but I was limping for a few weeks afterwards. At the time I thought that an elderly person could really have been injured badly.

It is difficult for an active person to stay in when they are not used to it, but I'm with your mum, if there's no need to go out, then home is the place to be.

The snow will be gone in a few days ( we hope), and he'll be able to go out again. If he was so unfortunate as to slip on the ice, he could be laid up for a longer time which would be even more frustrating.

podperson

To be honest I think it's a fairly valid concern given his age. My gran-in-law had a fall a few years ago, due to her age (early 80s) and mild oestoperosis it took a very long time for it to heal and tbh she's never been quite the same since - it's a loss of confidence as well I think. If he does 'have' to go out then could he do anything to make it a little safer to give your mum a bit more peace of mind - eg use a stick, ice grips on his shoes, or take a bus/taxi if it's a bit away rather then walking.

sweetcheekz

Mojisola wrote: »

Just hope that your OH doesn't say - well, if you'd taken my advice you wouldn't have gone out and slipped and broken your arm, so you can manage without my help now! :rotfl:

Oh you are of course, (and so would he be), absolutey right I was however born contrary, and bloodyminded to boot. I have to say even with a broken arm I am probably more use to myself than my other half anyway

mumps

I know someone in his 80s who plays tennis twice a week, looks after his garden, walks into town to shop rather than take the car. I don't hold out much hope for the person who tells him to stay in.

olibrofiz

Oh don't ! My mum bought some boots with those snow grip thingies on and I swear she thnks she's invincible (not taking that away from her btw - I think I;ll be the same if I reach her age )

I drove past her house this morning to see her car all skew wiff on her long, upwards sloping, snow covered, driveway. She'd told me she was going to get it out of the garage to get her bins out. She rang me later to say she'd been to the shops and couldn't get the car back up the drive as the wheels were spinning on the pavement - so had borrowed the neighbours snow shovel to dig the wheels out :eek::eek:

My mum's 85 in June - i don't care if it thaws before the weekend, I'm off up there tomorrow in my lunch break to shovel the whole drive before she decides to do it! (No need to wonder where I got my determination from, lol)

mumps

olibrofiz wrote: »

Oh don't ! My mum bought some boots with those snow grip thingies on and I swear she thnks she's invincible (not taking that away from her btw - I think I;ll be the same if I reach her age )

I drove past her house this morning to see her car all skew wiff on her long, upwards sloping, snow covered, driveway. She'd told me she was going to get it out of the garage to get her bins out. She rang me later to say she'd been to the shops and couldn't get the car back up the drive as the wheels were spinning on the pavement - so had borrowed the neighbours snow shovel to dig the wheels out :eek::eek:

My mum's 85 in June - i don't care if it thaws before the weekend, I'm off up there tomorrow in my lunch break to shovel the whole drive before she decides to do it! (No need to wonder where I got my determination from, lol)

She sounds wonderful, I hope I am like that at 85, that is my ambition. The other thing I am looking forward to is being outrageous, only old ladies can get away with being really outrageous.

lostinrates

mumps wrote: »

I know someone in his 80s who plays tennis twice a week, looks after his garden, walks into town to shop rather than take the car. I don't hold out much hope for the person who tells him to stay in.

I have a neighbour like that. I thought he was in his late fifties. He walks several miles four times a week and maintains a smallholding as neat as a pin. If I had half his stamina I would be very happy!