Ah, The Aging Me
Rog Hiemstra
Table of Contents
Aging Related
Posts
From
My Cap to My Eyes – February 26, 2015
I
Get Colder as I Get Older – February 22, 2015
Creatively
Facing Death and Dying – February 13, 2015
My
Aging Skin – February 9, 1015
Oh,
Those Painful Kidney Stones – February 7, 2015
My
Life in Review – February 6, 1015
The
Incredible Shrinking Man – February 4, 2015
Stories
I Tell My Grandchildren – January 31, 2015
Reading
to Your Grandchildren – January 29, 2015
Grandchildren:
Aging Rejuvenators – January 22, 2015
A
Typical Day of Eating – January 8, 2013
Weight
Loss Update – January 7, 2015
Does
Time Speed Up as We Age? – January 2, 2015
Happy
Holidays! – December 23, 2014
Keeping
a Medical Journal, Too! – December 22, 2014
Keeping
a Personal Journal – December 20, 2014
The
Joy of Singing Enhances the Aging Process – December 16, 2014
My
Aching Back a My Aching Neck – December 15, 2014
My
Weight Is Like A Yo-Yo – December 10, 2014
Eyes,
Eyes, Oh My Aching Eyes! Two – December 8, 2014
Thank
Goodness for My Dermatologist – May 27, 2013
Feeling
Less Old – May 25, 2013
Successful
Aging – Finding the Fifth Level – May 18, 2013
Keeping
Up With Technology – May 13, 2013
Finding
Humor in the Aging Process – May 9, 2013
I
Sing for the Love of Singing – May 8, 2013
Eyes,
Eyes, Oh My Aching Eyes! – May 5, 2013
Autobiographical
Review of My Life – May 3, 2013
Pictorial
Review of My Life Changes – May 1, 2013
On
the Road to Recovery (I Hope) – April 30, 2013
Visiting
the Doctor Again – April 29, 2013
Sigh
--- Another Memorial Service – April 27, 2013
How
Older Persons Are Portrayed in TV Commercials – April 25, 2013
Sore
Throat Again – April 24, 2013
Requiring
More Sleep These Days – April 23, 2013
How
Old Are You Mentally? – April 21, 2013
The
RealAge Test – April 20, 2013
Conversation
and Music Can Overcome Depression – April 19, 2013
A
Smart Aleck and a Senior Citizen – April 18, 2013
Skin,
Oh My Aging Skin – April 17, 2013
Oh,
My Aching Back! – April 16, 2013
Blood
Pressure Problems – April 15, 2013
Feet
Problems – April 14, 2013
The
Processes of Aging – April 13, 2013
Many
Jobs in a Lifetime! – April 12, 2013
Ah,
Those Vericose Veins Are Creeping In – April 11, 2013
Age-Activated
Attention Deficit Disorder – April 10, 2013
The
Balding Me – April 9, 2013
Photo
Display of My Life and Aging Process – April 8, 2013
An
Autobodiography – April 7, 2013
Test
of Your Knowledge on Aging – April 6, 2013
End
of Life Ideas – April 5, 2013
Pink
Eye – You Must Be Kidding! – April 4, 2013
Take Personal
Responsibility for Learning (posts below the
last Aging post)
A
Feast of Learning: International Perspectives on Adult Learning and Change – May
25, 2013
Vary
Instructional Techniques to Help Learners Take Increasing Responsibility –
August 26, 2011
Importance
of a Learning Environment – August 24, 2011
Toward
Increasing a Learner’s Personal Responsibility – August 19, 2011
Promoting
Personal Ownership – April 26, 2011
Aging Related Posts
From My Cap to My Eyes
February
26, 2015 at 8:33 am
In response to
my last posting about getting colder as I get older, my friend Anton noted that
wearing a fleece hat at night gave him a peaceful and sound sleep. I thought
this was a great idea and tried in that night. Now that I have worn my fleece
cap four nights in a row, I can attest to how much better I have slept. Of
course, I did have to put up with Janet’s initial laughter when she saw me (see
the photo below and you can laugh, too), but the result for my comfort has been
worth it. Scientist have recently shown that we don’t actually lose all that
much heat from our head, but as I no longer have much hair covering it the
allusion I feel of not losing any heat from my head or ears gives me extra peace
of mind. I do not, by the way, wear my glasses to bed; I just had to see to
take the selfie.
I have
mentioned before that my c4-c5 vertebrae have some arthritis and this gives me
frequent back pain. I can control it somewhat by following my McKenzie stretching
routine each morning, taking Ibuprofen as needed, and seeking occasional
adjustments from my chiropractor. I also discovered that my nightly routine of
reading in bed with my head propped up on a couple of pillows for 15 minutes
before I turn out the lights seemed to add some stress to those vertebrae. My
friend, Anton, suggested I try Prism glasses to give my view a
downward 90 degree angle. With a little research, I found that they are not
very expensive and ordered two pair, one for when I am lying in bed without my
regular glasses on and one for when I am sitting in a chair reading the
newspaper, a magazine, or a book with my glasses on.
What these
glasses do is enable me to read a book lying in bed with my head on a thin
pillow by keeping my neck straight (almost looking up in essence) with the book
held at a 90 degree angle resting on my chest. My eyes appear to be looking
away from the book but the prism effect actually allows me to read it with
ease. The second pair of glasses enables me to sit in my chair looking straight
ahead but seeing a book, magazine, or newspaper on my lap. Because the distance
is now a bit farther from my eyes, the pair of Prism glasses that fits over my
regular glasses works great. The two other photos below show what they look
like from a front view and a side view. Of course I look fairly weird, and
Janet and my two grandsons all had great initial laughs at my expense. The main
point is that this change has taken some strain off my arthritic vertebrae.
Both the cap and the prism glasses represent more adjustments with the aging
process.
I Get Colder as I get Older
February
22, 2015 at 4:41 pm
I have written
before about my thinning skin. One more disadvantage of such a situation is
that I simply need more clothing in the colder weather. This winter has been a
good generator of extra cold weather, but I have noticed the need for more
layers the past few years. From mid-October through mid-April, I usually have
on a layer of long underwear during the day and that helps. A fleece top over a
shirt with the underwear below that now suffices most of the time. However, I
am finding that at night I now need to wear the underwear below my pajamas with
socks on my feet to stay comfortable in bed. My wife says that wearing a stocking
cap at night is probably next. My underwear is typically blue, not the red wool
ones shown in the photo below, but I think you get the picture.
Faithful
followers of this blog will know that a very early caption for a photo was “how
did I get my Mom’s toenails with their perpetual fungus?” Now I can say how did
I get to matching my remembrances of Dad wearing extra
layers in the house during the winter. He finally did wear a cap during the day
so I am probably heading there, too. Is living in Florida in my near future?
CC Image
courtesy Henry A. Brink photography
Creatively Facing
Death and Dying
February 13, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Recently my wife and I watched Being Mortal,
a “Frontline” show on our local PBS station. It was a compelling 55 minutes
that did a wonderful job of helping viewers think about the end of life and how
it could and should be undertaken. Within the link highlighted above is a video
replaying the show as well as various supplemental areas packed with
information, insight, and answers to several related questions. I highly
recommend it.
The show is based on a recent book by Dr. Atul Gawande
entitled, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. I
am on the waiting list for the book at my local library and look forward to
reading it. I’ve heard only rave reviews from those friends who have finished
the book.
Having been present when my Mom died 16 months ago at the age of
95 in her own home, as she wanted, with the wonderful support of Hospice, I so
appreciate it when a person does the best she can in deciding what really
matters in the end. I hope I can do as well as Mom did and I am confident Dr. Gawande’s book will become a useful tool in that process.
My Aging Skin
February 9, 2015 at 5:55 pm
Just a few years ago, I started noticing changes in my skin. As we
age our epidermis (the outer skin) begins to thin. Our pigment-containing cells
(called melanocytes) decrease but at the same time our other cells increase in
size. This results in skin that appears thinner, more pale,
even translucent in nature. In addition, pigmented spots (age spots) begin to
appear in areas that have been exposed to sun. The photo at the bottom of this
post on the left shows the back of my right hand with all the comments made
above demonstrated.
I actually am a dermatologist’s dream patient in that there is
always something to cut off, freeze off, or needing prescription lotions. When
I was a 19-year-old I spent an entire summer on the beach in Long Beach, CA. My
hair completely bleached out, I turned a nice bronze color, and I even learned
to body surf. However, a dermatologist told me that I am now paying the price
for such a misspent summer. At least there were those many girls in bathing
suits….
In addition, with aging the strength and
elasticity of our skin changes. This often produces a leathery, weather-beaten, even alligator
skin in appearance. The photo at the bottom on the right, my right elbow,
demonstrates this look quite well.
One other problem that I now notice with increasing frequency is
bruising under my skin that shows up if I bump into the corner of a dresser for
example. In this case, blood vessels within the dermis become
more fragile as we age so such a bump leads to an apparent bruising or some
bleeding under the skin. When this happens to me, because my skin is so
much thinner, it seems to take a long time for such a bruise to disappear.
Although I joke a bit about my dermatologist, I am so thankful that I have a
good one and see him at least once each year.
Oh, Those Painful
Kidney Stones
February 7, 2015 at 12:37 pm
I had my first kidney stone in 1977 when I was 39 years old. I got
up early in the morning because I had what I thought was the beginning of an
upset stomach. All of the sudden I had an excruciating pain in my side and
back. Some have said that for a male having a kidney stone is the closest thing
to birthing a child that he can experience. I can certainly attest to how sharp
was the pain. As we had no idea what was happening, my wife quickly dressed our
two young children, we piled into the car, and she drove me to the emergency
room.
That kidney stone (it was later determined to be calcium based and
white in color) looked a bit like the photo shown below and in slide number 1
via the information accessible through this link: http://www.webmd.com/kidney-stones/ss/slideshow-kidney-stones-overview. It
was about the size of an eraser on a pencil. Two of the sides had barbs sticking
out and as it was attempting to work its way down my urinary tract, one barb
got caught. The stone would not budge from that location. I was in the hospital
for a week as they waited for it to come loose. This was before they
used high-energy shock waves to break up stones so eventually they decided
to use ureterostomy. The doctor went in through my urinary tract with a thin
tube to locate and crush the stone so some of it could be pulled back and the
rest could pass out with my urine. It was a most unpleasant week.
I was told then that my chances for a second kidney stone were now
higher and, sure enough, in 1985 I had a second one. This one was a bit smaller
but I knew immediately what it was because of my memory of that pain. I
went almost immediately to my doctor and he said it probably would pass on its
own but that I needed to strain my urine to make sure. The irony was that it
happened the morning of a surprise birthday party I had planned for my wife
with several friends to be held at a nearby restaurant. While everyone was
enjoying their time together that evening, I was gulping water and stepping out
to the restroom, strainer in hand, and hoping for the best. I got through the
party in a bit of discomfort and fortunately passed the stone later that
night. This one turned out to be made up of uric acid and black in color.
It is possible that I have had others, but, if so, they were small
enough that I did not notice them or have any associated pain. Drinking plenty
of water has probably helped and the weight loss I have described earlier in
this blog should be helpful, too, for the future. There is a common saying that
aging is not for sissies, and the longer I live the better I understand that
notion.
My Life in Review
February 6, 2015 at 6:51
Is it possible to review a life just through photos? Certainly
there are some things you can learn, discern, or surmise about a person. Below are
photos of me, roughly ten years apart, representing my eight decades.
As you look at them, think about the following questions:
1.
What are the
similarities and differences in appearance over the decades?
2.
How does hair and hair
color change with age?
3.
Body weight and mass
(BMI) often varies with age. Do you have any observations after viewing the
various photos?
4.
Skin tone, wear and tear
from the sun, and wrinkles vary among people through their developmental
stages. Compare what is happening to yourself with what you can see in these
photos.
5.
What other observations
can you make?
In viewing a set of photos like those revealed here, what thoughts
form in your mind regarding your own aging process?
The Incredible
Shrinking Man
February 4, 2015 at 8:06 am
No, I have not been exposed to radiation and become the 1957
movie’s shrinking man; I am simply and steadily becoming shorter with age. My
tallest point in life about 40 years ago was 5′ 9″ and it has
slowly been downhill since then. About 10 years ago I was surprised at an
annual physical when the nurse who measured me said I was 5′ 8½” tall.
Then about two years ago at another annual physical the announcement was 5′
8″ tall (or should I say short).
It was about then that I began seeing excess fraying on the cuffs
of my 38 x 30 Dockers. It finally dawned on me that the shrinking me was simply
walking on the bottoms of my pants even with shoes on. I switched to 38 x 29 Dockers
and that solved the problem. Then as my weight continued to decrease through my
weight watchers counting and personal discipline techniques (29 pounds since
November 1, 2014, as noted in earlier postings), I recently purchased three
pair of 36 x 29 Dockers. They should last me for a while.
This apparently was in the nick of time because I was again
surprised in my annual physical earlier this week when the nurse announced that
I had “fallen” below 5′ 8” in height. It is a bit hard for me to take as I
have long thought of myself as one inch taller and I now have to readjust my
self-image. At least moving down to a 36 inch waist helps mollify my self-image
a bit.
Notice that I quoted the word fallen in the previous sentence.
That is exactly what is happening to me as I age. For examples, the arches in
my feet are now practically non-existent. I have been wearing orthotics in all
my shoes for several years to artificially add back those arches. My vertebrae
also have been collapsing (moving closer together) with age. I know, too, that
the cartilage between my various joints is wearing out. In essence,
gravity and the aging process are doing their normal work as I get older.
There is not much I can do about it. I exercise regularly. I try
to eat in a healthy way. I do my McKenzie exercises every morning. Still,
the aging me continues to shrink. I now need to readjust that self-image and
know that I may be heading to 5′ 7″ if I live long enough.
Stories I Tell My Grandchildren
January
31, 2015 at 2:08 pm
I have been a
story teller much of my adult life. By that I mean, something said in a
conversation will remind me of a memory and I usually cannot resist
entering it into the conversation. I did that with my kids when they
were growing up and, frequently, within casual conversations among friends,
relatives, and even people I don’t know very well. For ill or for good, I
simply love repeating such stories or memories.
Now my four
grandchildren are the next available audience. Thus, I tell them
short stories pertaining to my work, Navy experiences, history as a barbershop
music singer, growing up years, and many other aspects of my past. My two
oldest grandchildren (six and four years of age) often ask me to repeat a story
that they remember I have told before. I very much enjoy doing so and if I
happen to leave out as some aspect of the memory from the last time they heard
it, I usually get asked about that lapse.
As readers of
this blog will know, I have been serving as my family’s genealogist for many
years. I recently did a major update on the material that I have online (http://roghiemstra.com/dutch.html).
Completing that update (and, of course, updating must be ongoing), made me
think about the stories I love to tell. Thus, I am now gathering these stories
as I remember them or when asked to repeat a previous story I told and typing
them into a document. I am not sure what I will do with this growing document,
but I am thinking about writing a memoir as something I can pass along to my
children and grandchildren. Who knows, maybe others will be interested in them,
too!
Courtesy
jessicawilkins578, Flickr CC
Reading to Your Grandchildren
January
29, 2015 at 4:51 pm
Oh, the joy
and pleasure of reading to your grandchildren! Whenever we visit our
grandchildren we make and take opportunities to read to them. We try to start
very early in the child’s life to begin these reading experiences. This reading
typically comes during bedtime, but there are times when we ask that an active
imagination, a desire to play a game, or a plea to play outside be substituted
for a while with reading a book.
I think most
of us know how important reading is for various reasons. I believe, for
example, that the fact my Mom read to me as a very young child led to my early
reading ability and a lifelong interesting in books. My daughter also took
advantage of books on CDs and started her son listening to age-appropriate
books in the car when he was five years of age. He usually could not wait to
hear the next several-minute opportunity for continuing each book.
The last time
we visited that family, after discussing it with his parents,
I introduced him (at age six years and seven months) to the Harry Potter series
by offering to read aloud the first book (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s
Stone). I began by explaining just a little bit about the book and
mentioning that if after the first 15 minutes or so he was no longer
interested, we would stop. We all were flabbergasted at how interested and
excited he quickly become. He kept asking questions and wanted more
information, such that the reading was slow-going at times. However, within a
six-day period in and around other activities I read the entire book to him.
About half-way
through the book on the third day, we all gathered for a family meal. A
couple of relatives and a couple of friends joined us. My grandson proceeded to
describe the book to the other four adults in a very excited and animated
fashion. I think we were all amazed at how well he understood the plot,
characters, and even subtle points in the story. In essence, he was really
“getting” the story’s essence. By the time we finished, he was anxious for the
next time I or another grandparent could read the second book.
I am convinced
we further instilled in him the love of reading a good book. We also may have
inched his reading ability forward a notch or two.
Courtesy crayonbricks, Flickr CC
Grandchildren: Aging Rejuvenators
January
22, 2015 at 2:42 pm
As most
grandparents will know, having grandchildren can truly be a rejuvenating
experience. Janet and I have been staying with our son and his wife, a
four-year old grandson, and a brand new granddaughter (less than one month old)
for a while. We have been helping out however we can and that mainly explains
why I have been absent from this blog for several days.
It has been
such a blessing and thrill to watch little Isabel grow into alertness. She
seems to thrive on my singing, too, at least she stops
crying after I sing a few songs and often then goes to sleep. I just realized
that perhaps she goes to sleep because of my singing. Oh well, I will choose to
believe it is from pure enjoyment.
I also have
been playing with my grandson quite a bit (he has a great imagination that
seems to have exploded in scope the past couple of weeks), taking him to his
swimming lessons, and often taking him to his pre-school and picking him up
afterwards.
Fortunately, I
also have been able to work-out at a nearby gym several times, which has not
hurt my thus far very successful weight loss campaign. I now have a new goal
for March 1, 170 pounds, which I believe I can achieve. I only have 12 more to
go so it is feasible. I also get to spend some time with the other two grandchildren
before that date so the rejuvenating can continue.
One other
thing, I need to buy some smaller pants.
A Typical Day of Eating
January
8, 2015 at 10:45 am
Yesterday I
talked about the success I have had in losing weight. I thought it might be
useful to share one of my typical days of eating. I must add that I have never
joined Weight Watchers so what I am sharing is just how it has worked for me.
Obviously, anyone wanting to lose weight in a sensible, controlled, and healthy
manner should consult a physician or an organization with people qualified to
give advice on a reasonable diet.
As I mentioned
before, I am using the WeightWatchers ® point counting system. The book I am
using is nearly 12 years old, so I am sure their system has evolved in those
years. However, using that book with its suggestions on assigning points to
various food items, their POINTSfinder® calculator for determining points by
knowing a product’s dietary fiber grams, calories, and total fat grams, and a
food log for religiously recording everything you eat each day, the system has
certainly worked for me. Perhaps the most useful result over the long haul, is that I have truly begun to change my eating habits,
something I will work hard to sustain.
The book
recommends a daily POINTS range of 20-25 at my weight for good health and
sensible loosing. I initially started at the top of that range but as I slowly
lost weight I began to aim more toward the lower part of range as they noted in
the book that your body needs fewer points with less weight, plus I simply
satiated my hunger with fewer points. I also try to eat 8-10 servings of fruits
and vegetables each day, two servings of milk, and two-three servings of whole
wheat bread.
Therefore,
yesterday was a pretty typical eating day for me (I try to drink plenty of
water each day so if some other drink is not mentioned below, assume that I had
a glass of water):
Breakfast
1 cup sautéed
mixed vegetables (cut up pieces of zucchini, yellow squash, red pepper, and
green pepper) – 0 points
Cooked with
1/4th cup of egg substitute – 1 point
1 TBS of olive
oil for the sautéing and cooking – 1 point
1 piece of
whole wheat toast (no butter) – 1 point
1 cup of
low-fat milk – 2 points
1 small orange
– 1 point [total points = 6]
Lunch
2 slices of
whole wheat bread (no butter) – 2 points
1 wedge of
Laughing Cow ® creamy Swiss
light cheese spread on one piece of bread – 1 point
1 piece of
deli turkey (1 oz) – 1 point
1 small salad
(romaine lettuce, peppers, cucumber) with no dressing – 0 points
1 small red
apple – 1 point [total points = 5/accumulated points = 11]
Mid-afternoon
Snack
4 oz of red wine – 2 points [ total
points = 2/accumulated points = 13]
Evening
Meal
1 cup of
chicken/vegetable/noodle soup – 3 points
1 slice of
whole wheat bread (no butter) – 1 point
1 cup green
beans – 0 points [total points = 4/accumulated points = 17]
Evening
Snack
1/2 banana – 1
point
1 cup of
low-fat milk – 2 points
3/4th cup of
bran flakes – 1 point [total points = 4/accumulated points – 21]
During the
period that I started (November 1) until now, I have eaten out four times,
three times for breakfast (I had veggie omelets, no cheese, with egg
substitute, two pieces of dry toast, and 1 glass of water each time), and lunch
in an airport when traveling (I had a salad, low-fat dressing, to go along with
a sandwich consisting of two pieces of whole wheat bread and 2 oz. of
deli-turkey that I carried with me).
Being
conscious of what you eat, keeping track of it in a food log, and seeing the
prize at the end of the journey is what it is all about.
Weight Loss Update
January
7, 2015 at 10:32 am
On December
10, I bared my soul in this blog and revealed my up and down record regarding weight
gain, especially as I have aged. I reached 200 pounds on October 31, 2014 (on a
now 5′ 8″ frame – I have decreased 1 inch in height over the years
with the normal shrinking of cartilage with age)
and simply began “looking” the obese person that was me). November 1 I
accepted this reality and set some goals with a new determination to lose
weight. I set a goal of declining to 180 by December 25, a tough goal given all
the holiday season festivities typically organized around lots of wonderful
food at family gatherings. I also determined to exercise more regularly.
Perhaps it was setting my annual New Year’s resolutions early that did it, but
I have been much more successful than in other years, my determination still is
high, and I truly believe I have permanently changed my eating habits.
I missed that
December 25 goal by only one pound and I have kept loosing on a regular, but I
believe sensibly, pace. As of this morning (January 7) I am at 175 pounds.
I have had to tighten my belt one notch, my 38 inch waist is closing in
on 36 inches, and I am feeling more energetic. I have pushed away almost all
desserts. I still count those weight watcher points every day. I also am going
to the gym much more regularly.
I now have a
new goal: 165 lbs. by March 1. That will put me at the recommended weight for
my age and height, a BMI below 25, and officially out of the over-weight
classification. I will keep you informed.
Does Time Speed Up as We Age?
January
2, 2015 at 3:50 pm
It often feels
like each birthday, each New Year, even each month or season of the year just
flies by. Frequently, I find myself saying something like, “Can it really be
2015 as it feels like I only recently started 2014?” Another statement I find
myself saying repeatedly, “I just filled up that two-week pill container, how
can it be time to do it again?”
People have
pondered this apparent phenomenon for a long time. Psychologists have offered
varied theories as to why we often “feel” the increasing speed of time. For
example, some suggest that our biological clocks slow down throughout our aging
process such that time appears to be passing more quickly. Others postulate
that we pay increasingly less attention to the passing of time and become more
focused on the exigencies of life such as going to work, engaging in family
activities, experiencing common life stresses, even approaching deadlines and,
subsequently, take less notice of time as it passes by. Another suggestion
centers on the idea that in our early years we encounter more firsts, our first
year in school, our first date, our first child, our
first major job promotion, and other such novel activities. However, with the
passage of time as similar events are repeated each year, they become less
likely to feel unique and we “skip” more quickly from one to the next.
The theory I
like the most was one described in one of my first graduate educational psychology
courses by Professor Howard
McClusky nearly 50 years ago. Howard was a terrific teacher, adult
education leader, and mentor. He built upon the ratio theory proposed by
psychologist Pierre Janet in the late 1800s to describe how our perception of time actually varies with the passage of time. For example, one year in the
life of a young person at two, five, or ten years is only a small percentage of
their total life. However, for someone in his seventies, each passing year is
an increasingly smaller percentage of that life. Our mind, experience base, and
even psyche is constantly being compared with what we have already lived,
Thus, as I
recently slept through the clock turning over to 2015 (as I have done each New
Year’s Eve for the past two decades) I hardly noticed the change knowing (or
perceiving) that the next year will pass by more quickly than the last one.
Given all my
comments though, I wish for each of you a wonderful New, if not speedy, Year.
Courtesy
Julien Delaval, Flickr CC
Happy Holidays!
December
23, 2014 at 10:39 am
I wish happy
holidays for you and your family. May 2015 be a
wonderful year and best wishes in your own successful aging.
Graphic
courtesy of Star 1950 on Flickr
Keeping a Medical Journal, Too!
December
22, 2014 at 6:17 am
My last posting
was about the personal journal in which I write a few lines each evening before
going to bed. I also have been keeping a medical journal for the past three
years. As the frequency of my visits to doctors of various specialties has
increased over the years, I decided I had to do something to keep everything
organized.
I have a large
three-ring binder that is labeled on the front, “Rog Hiemstra’s Medical
Journal.” I know, it is not a very catchy title, but as the letters are fairly
large and I keep it in a prominent place on my office desk, I can easily grab
it to refer to past appointments and to take it with me to each new
appointment. Three doctors now have commented very positively on it. My last
visit was to an ophthalmologist for new floaters and flashes. When he saw it he
said I wish all my patients kept one.
I keep spare
sheets of paper so I can write down during a visit and immediately after what
happened, what the doctor said, any instructions for follow-up activities, and
any future appointment dates. This process of writing things down immediately
also helps stimulate questions for the doctor that I might not have thought of
before initiating in this process.
Then when I
get home I type everything into a running record of those appointments and
update the journal. I also keeping a running record of my prescriptions and
store any relevant materials in the side pockets of the binder. Janet also
knows where it is in case she would need to reference it. It brings me some
piece of mind and I feel like I have a better handle on my aging process.
Keeping a Personal Journal
December
20, 2014 at 2:27 pm
Both my father
and my mother kept a journal or diary for a brief time when they were
teenagers. We were very lucky that they survived until they were discovered
many years later. Then my father started keeping another journal 51 years later
in 1984. He typically wrote only a few lines most days until just before his
death in 1999. My sister, Joyce, transcribed these journals so we all can read
his words. As she said, he truly blessed us with those 15 years of writing down
a brief record of what happened most days. They are very instructive. You can
read his words here.
Following my
Dad’s example, I started keeping a journal on July 1, 1991. My comments most
days typically only involve 3-5 short sentences, but they are an important
day-ending ritual. You can read here a piece I wrote on the uses and benefits of journal writing. I
am thankful I began this journey as the daily reflecting process adds to my
successful aging. I also look forward to passing them on to my children and
grandchildren one day.
The Joy of Singing Enhances the Aging Process
December
16, 2014 at 6:54 pm
I have written
before about my lifelong love of singing. Singing in a small barbershop music
chorus and a barbershop quartet each week gives me much joy and a nice break
from other activities. This past weekend four of us from that small chorus
performed as a quartet for a community group’s annual holiday luncheon. We had
never all sung together as a quartet so there is always a slight bit of
apprehension on how well we would do as performers and would we sound good.
It is typical
that a quartet will rehearse for 30 minutes or so prior to the performance to
make sure we know the program, work out a proper blend, and properly warm up
our voices. The man singing lead (I sang the tenor part) and I had communicated
via phone a couple of days before the performance to work out a 30 minute
program that was also to include asking audience members to sing along
with us on a few holiday songs.
Unfortunately,
the nasty winter weather had other plans and as we staggered in one after the
other (the show must go on), the fourth person did not arrive until five
minutes before we were to start. Thus, we had no time for the warm-up period
and could simply make sure everyone knew the numbers we would sing.
Fortunately, we were all experienced barber-shoppers (our accumulated ages
totaled 323 and we had 120 years of barbershop singing among us) and the blend
and balance turned out to be almost perfect.
I believe
there was only miscue (a missed note) throughout our 30 minutes. The lead served
as the MC and did a great job with just the right amount of corny jokes. The
combined sing along at the end with old favorites like Jingle Bells and Silent
Night helped set a festive
mood. The applause and complimentary comments afterwards were the music back to
our ears and a reminder of why we all love to sing regardless of our ages.
My Aching Back and My Aching Neck
December
15, 2014 at 2:39 pm
I have talked
before about my aching back and arthritis in my neck at the C3 and C4
vertebrae. With smart use of my back, sleeping on a very thin pillow (no more
propping my neck up to read at night in bed), and an occasional visit to my
very fine chiropractor for an adjustment, I have had very little trouble the
past several months.
That all
changed three weeks ago when not thinking I did a lot of reading over a short
period with my head tilted down. That mistake resulted in a very, very sore
neck and some pain in my upper back. Three visits to my chiropractor in two
weeks, using ice several times to reduce the inflammation, wearing my cervical
neck collar for parts of several days, and 6-8 Ibuprofen each day got me over
the hump. I am now back to about 90% with notable
progress each day.
I am now
committed to changing my book reading posture. I learned another of life’s many
lessons.
My Weight Is Like A Yo-Yo
December
10, 2014 at 12:01 pm
For most of my
adult life, my weight has been like a Yo-Yo, up and down. I have long figured
that if I were a tree trunk and someone cut me down, they would see my annual
growth rings as very wavy with uneven spaces between the lines. From my high of
203 lbs. when I was in the Navy in my early 20s (oh, too much food always
available on that ship, and not enough physical activity), I have bounced back
and forth from 170 lbs. (I managed to get slightly below that just before I was
married – yes, we guys do it, too) to the mid-190s. However, as I have aged,
even with “fairly” regular exercise, it has been harder and harder and my waist
line has increased. When I hit 200 lbs. on October 31 (BOO! to me), could not
look down and see my toes, and had trouble tying my shoes unless I sat down and
crossed my legs one at a time, I decided I must do something.
My usual
bugaboo is over Thanksgiving and then over the December holidays. Most years
these time periods have meant a gain of 3-5 or more pounds, sadness on my
lack of discipline come January 1, and then struggling for months to try and
reduce the extra waist line.
On November 1
I looked myself in the mirror, set some goals, and started down what I hope
will be a new and permanent path. Thus, I began using an old Weight Watchers’
book and chart, simply worked hard to cut back, and really have tried to
discipline myself. As of this morning (December 10), I have lost 15 lbs. and,
hopefully, counting. I can see my toes again and tying my shoes is getting
easier. Thanksgiving was a real challenge, but at least I did not gain that day
or that weekend. My goal is to reach 180 by December 25 and hold that weight
through December 31. Ultimately, I would like to reach 170 lbs. again. I will
keep you informed.
Eyes, Eyes, Oh My Aching Eyes! Two
December
8, 2014 at 4:43 pm
I have been
away from this blog for a while. I was very involved in adjunct teaching, but
finally finished that in May, 2014, after 45 years of graduate teaching almost
to the day. Then I immediately dove into updating my family genealogy research
that was badly out of date. Last week I finished that and posted to this blog
the links to what I now have accomplished (http://roghiemstra.com/dutch.html). Now I
intend to be a bit more regular in this blog.
In terms of
the aging me, a lot has happened since I last posted on this topic. Eyes, eyes,
oh my aching eyes, is an apt metaphor for the eye problems I have had. It
started a few months ago when I began having what was eventually diagnosed as
dry eyes. This resulted in somewhat blurry vision at times and a feeling of
weariness in my right eye. My vision worsened, too. I saw the ophthalmologist
who did my eyelid surgery several months ago. With some testing he diagnosed
the dry eyes. After some antibiotics that were aimed at influencing more tear
duct activity, the frequent use of lubricating eye drops, some washing of my
eye lids morning and night, and the purchase of some inexpensive reading
glasses, I began to see (pun intended) some improvement.
Then, all of
the sudden, I had some large floaters and flashes in my right eye a couple of
weeks ago. I have had what I would call minor floaters before, but nothing like
this. I called my ophthalmologist, described the problem, and he immediately
referred me to another ophthalmologist who specializes in Cataracts,
Glaucoma, Dry Eyes, and Macular Degeneration. I was able to get into him right
away. Through a thorough examination with more optical machines after dilating my
pupils, he could see the floaters and the beginning of cataracts. After
determining that there was not a retinal tear, he suggested that the floaters
and flashes would most likely diminish over time or at least my brain would
work to actually begin to ignore them. That seems to be the case and a
follow-up with him in a week will most likely confirm this. This is just
another case of the accommodation that one must do in the aging process. I most
likely will have to deal with the cataracts at a later date.
Thank Goodness for my Dermatologist
May
27, 2013 at 6:28 pm
Starting
nearly 30 years ago, I regularly visit a dermatologist each year. I have had
numerous pre-cancerous and suspicious spots, moles, warts, and irregularities
cut or “frozen” off. I talked with my dermatologist several years ago about
that summer in 1958 when I was young and foolish. I lived in Long Beach and
Santa Monica and spent lots of time almost every day at the beach learning to
body surf, watch the girls go by, and obtaining initially a
good sunburn and then eventually a deep tan. Not only did my hair bleach
blond but those were the days before sun screen so I “bleached” my skin such
that he noted I am paying the price all these years later.
I now go to
the dermatologist twice a year and invariably each time something new has
occurred that needs to be removed. I have two new small growths on my forehead
that I know will be coming off my next appointment in a couple of months.
Obviously, skin cancer is no laughing matter so I “endure” the mild irritation
for a few days of these removal episodes, but I know I am enduring because of
that summer long ago. The aging process seems to be one more thing and one more
thing to be aware of and watch out for peace of mind.
Feeling Less Old
May
25, 2013 at 2:00 pm
Is it possible
to “feel less old?” I think it is as I am finally feeling that way. If you have
read this blog since I started emphasizing the aging me several weeks, you will
remember much of my motivation for doing this was a series of ailments that
struck me somewhat all together. They included bronchitis, sinus infection,
pink eye, and laryngitis to name the worst of them. Together (one sort of led
to the next) they really knocked the wind out of my sails, my energy sagged,
and I certainly felt my almost 75 years.
Visits to
three health professionals, chest x-rays, three rounds of an anti-biotic, two
rounds of a steroid, the use of an inhaler, some non-prescription meds, lots
more sleeping than normal for me, and considerable whining and feeling sorry
for myself (sorry, Janet) have finally combated quite well these inflictions.
Thus, I am feeling less old and have most of my energy back. I still have a bit
of a cough, but I think it is from some lingering sinus drainage. I even sang
with both my music groups this past week, the first time in several weeks, and
both experiences felt quite therapeutic and exhilarating.
I guess I am
somewhat amazed that lingering illness can take so much out of a person,
especially when it takes several weeks to bounce back. I recognize that is part
of the aging process, but because I have not had so many ailments hit all at
once since I was a kid, it was surprising. I know the mantra of eating healthy,
staying fit, washing your hands frequently (especially in the colder months),
and getting adequate rest. However, there are going to be times of a “perfect
storm” when exposure to germs and most likely not adhering adequately to
everything in that mantra can knock you low. I hope next winter will be a
better one and that I can continue to feel less old. I wish the same for you,
too.
Successful Aging – Finding the Fifth Level
May
18, 2013 at 2:45 pm
I had forgotten all about this interview of me almost 40 years ago. I rediscovered it when doing some cleaning out of my collection of teaching resources. Some downsizing refreshes the spirit I think! At any rate, much of what I said and believed then is not only still true today, but I find myself now embodying much of what I discovered in that rewarding research project: http://roghiemstra.com/aging.html. Here is another interview of me in 1992: http://s3.amazonaws.com/Blackboard/hiemstra/hiemstra.html
I look forward
to your thoughts, ideas, and conclusions about successful aging.
Keeping Up With Technology
May
13, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Even though I
began working with computers in 1958, as I age I am finding it ever more
difficult to keep up with the increasingly rapid change rate in technology
applications. I envy more each day how younger people seem to easily adapt to
each new application, device, or approach with technology as it occurs. I will
be upgrading my cell phone at the end of this month and know I will need to
seek out training to handle some of the differences from my current cell phone.
In the nearly two years I have had it, I know there
are many applications I never mastered. Even though this site is now a couple
of years old, it offers some interesting ideas to help older people to stay in
touch with technology: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/business/retirementspecial/03Tech.html?_r=0
Finding Humor in the
Aging Process
May 9, 2013 at 9:50 am
Home Instead Senior Care® is one of the organizations that is able to provide elderly home care as it is needed. There
may be a franchise near you. One of my brothers-in-law pointed me to a great
speech by a very good senior comedian, Mary Maxwell, who headlined at a Home
Instead annual conference a few years ago. You can find other of her
“presentations” on YouTube, but here is the one cited above: Mary Maxwell. At only 7 minutes plus, it
is well worth watching, especially if you a “senior.”
I Sing for the Love
of Singing
May 8, 2013 at 6:33 am
I have been singing in groups for more than 60 years as it
refreshes my spirit constantly. Thus, this bronchitis, deep cough, and sinus
drainage (with pink eye, sore throat, and laryngitis part of the time) since
the end of March has prevented me from rehearsing with two groups to which I
currently belong. I really miss those weekly gatherings. I think (my fingers
are crossed) I am finally at the end of this very long spell of illness and so
look forward to singing with them again.
Below is a photo of the Hometown Blend, a barbershop quartet with
which I sang for a wonderful twelve years. All but me have passed the scene and
I really miss them. Click here to listen to us sing a song (Happy Birthday with me as lead).
Eyes, Eyes, Oh My
Aching Eyes!
May 5, 2013 at 7:07 pm
In 1960 I started down the path of becoming a Navy pilot. However,
just as I was preparing to move from basic training in flight school to
advanced training, I began having headaches after staring at the instruments
for very long. Subsequently, I went through a series of tests and it was
determined that I needed glasses to correct my vision to 20/20. I was unable to
continue the flight training and opted to move back to an enlisted category,
finishing a two year period in the Navy reserves.
Thus, I have had a love-hate relationship with glasses for more
than 50 years. Obviously, I love the fact that I can maintain a 20-20 vision
with glasses, but I hate the fact that during the past couple of decades I have
needed a new prescription every two to three years. This has been frustrating,
expensive, and at times cumbersome in adjusting to new frames. I have another
annual appointment with my eye doctor in a few weeks and already “dread” what
may be the result.
If you have not had a recent eye exam, here is an interesting web
site where you can test your current acuity: http://www.assistech.com/visual-acuity-test.htm.
May your eye sight be stable.
CC Image courtesy Justine’s photostream
on Flickr
Autobiographical
Review of My Life
May 3, 2013 at 7:09 pm
Wednesday I presented a pictorial review of my life as a way of showing
the aging process. Today I include an autobiographical essay that has been
adapted from a chapter in a book a few years ago. It was an interesting process
to sit down and think through those meaningful aspects of my life. I recommend
it to anyone. This fall I am even contemplating starting a lengthier Memoir,
something I can leave to my children and grandchildren as they age and reflect
on what made Dad and Granddad who he was.
Hiemstra-autobiography – A PDF version.
Pictorial Review
of My Life Changes (in a PDF version)
May
1, 2013 at 2:52 pm
In the link
through the above title, I have created a review of my life changes from photos.
You can watch my changes in facial structure, hair growth and loss, life
changes, and even now my many encroaching wrinkles. Toward the end of my march
over the decades, I pose these questions:
1. What are
the similarities and differences in appearance over the decades?
2. How does hair and hair color change with age?
3. Body weight and mass (BMI) often varies with age. Do you have any
observations after viewing the various photos?
4. Skin tone, wear and tear from the sun, and wrinkles vary among people
through the developmental stages. Compare what is happening to yourself with
what you can discern in these photos.
5. Family relationships do matter. What thoughts pop into your mind about
family in viewing these photos?
6. In viewing a set of photos like those revealed here, what thoughts form in
your mind regarding your own development?
I welcome any
of your thoughts, but, better yet, consider creating something similar if you
have not already done so to share with your children, grandchildren, and friends.
On the Road to Recovery (I Hope)
April
30, 2013 at 3:17 pm
My doctor
prescribed a steroid, 10 days on an anti-biotic (my second round of both), and
chest x-rays. Lots of sleep (had a nice long nap today) will help, too. My
bronchitis and sinus infection had reasserted themselves.
I am certainly ready to feel well again. It has now been more than a month
since my memorable late winter/early spring begun. Perhaps I am being reminded
that I am almost 75 and don’t recuperate quite as quickly. Here’s hoping!
Visiting the Doctor Again
April
29, 2013 at 6:36 am
Five
little monkeys jumping on the bed, one fell off and broke his head.
Momma
called the doctor and the doctor said, No more
monkeys jumping on the bed!
My grandchildren and I love reciting that
whole story. Well, after two nights of fitful coughing and little sleep after
my bronchitis returned full force, I called my doctor for another appointment
this morning. Coughing is now not only “inconvenient,” but also painful down
deep in my lungs as I have no doubt strained some muscles and tissues. I think
as you age, it is harder to get over some things.
CC Image
courtesy DanaK-WaterPenny’s photostream
Sigh …. Another Memorial Service
April
27, 2013 at 1:02 pm
One of the
aspects of the aging process that I like the least is the seemingly increasing
frequency of memorial services and funerals. I attended a memorial service
today at church, just got word yesterday that another high school classmate had
died, and within the past two weeks a person I worked with at Syracuse
University and the husband of another person I worked with died. Last month the
third member of a wonderful barbershop quartet with which I was associated for
more than a decade died. http://roghiemstra.com/blend.html.
We have been
attending our current church for nearly 33 years and I have watched church
members grow old with me, many have passed away, and still many others are now
very frail. Obviously, this is all a natural part of the aging process and at
least I am still here to experience these events. However, seeing friends,
colleagues, and loved ones die is not easy. I don’t believe I fear death as I
know (at least intellectually) it is a part of the life process, but as the
years fly by I know that event will one day reach me.
How Older Persons Are Portrayed in TV Commercials
April
25, 2013 at 7:00 pm
I was involved
in some research 30 years ago that examined how older people were portrayed in
television commercials: http://roghiemstra.com/oppta.html. How
different do you believe such portrayals would be today?
Sore Throat Again
April
24, 2013 at 6:57 pm
This will be a
winter/spring to remember. I mentioned several days ago that I had pink eye. Before
that it was bronchitis, sinus infection, sore throat which lead to laryngitis
(at least people didn’t have to listen to my endless story telling for a
while), and a cough that is having a hard time going away. Just when I thought
it all was about over, now I have the beginning of a sore throat again and my
cough seems to be coming back. Ugh and double ugh. Is healing harder with
age??? I think I need a glass of wine.
CC Image
courtesy Hades2k’s photostream on flickr
Requiring More Sleep These Days
April
23, 2013 at 2:01 pm
I am finding
that as I age I require more sleep. Even 10-15 years ago, I could survive
fairly easily on 6.5-7 hours each night. Now it is typically 8 hours unless I
have an early morning meeting. Short naps seem to be a bit more frequent, too.
CC Image
courtesy wwarby’s photostream
How Old Are You Mentally?
April
21, 2013 at 11:05 am
Here is a
somewhat whimsical test of your mental age. Be sure to read all three of the
“Important Notice – Read before you start” clips.
http://www.noanxiety.com/tests/mental-age-test.html
The RealAge Test
April
20, 2013 at 8:32 am
If you are not
familiar with this site, I highly recommend it: http://www.realage.com/
I take the
test every couple of years just to see how I am doing as I age. They also have
various tips on how to impact positively your results.
Conversation and Music Can Overcome Depression
April
19, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Years ago on a
sabbatical I interviewed 30 people in nursing homes, senior centers, assisted
living residences, etc. It was a most revealing and fulfilling experience for
me. If you are interested, here
is a summary of the study’s report. I remember so clearly in one assisted
living residence interviewing a man who sat alone in a TV room much like the
man in the YouTube video noted below. I began “trying” to interview him and it
took a while to even get his attention. When I found out he had been one of the
original officials in a soil conservation organization and with a Master’s
degree in soil conservation, I built off of that knowledge with my questions.
Within a few minutes of talking about that part of his life, he came alive, sat
up straight in his wheelchair, and we talked for 30 minutes about his life. It
was fascinating to watch that transformation. Unfortunately (and regrettably),
I was on a tight schedule with more interviews scheduled and could not spend
more time with him. As I was leaving the facility I happened to walk through
that area again and once more saw him slumped in this wheelchair with a
depressed, forlorn look on his face.
As some of you
know, I love to sing. I sing in a barbershop music quartet (check out this
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9P-I4ZZFx4)
and a chorus and the rehearsals each week are very uplifting. Thus when I saw
the YouTube clip noted in the link below, it ties together both of these
points. Music like simple conversation can truly be uplifting and even bring a
fading, depressed man back to some vibrancy. Long live music and may we all remember to talk to (even sing to if that is your
talent) older friends, relatives, residents in nursing homes or senior centers,
and even strangers when we can. Just simple conversation can be uplifting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyZQf0p73QM
So, one day if
I wind up somewhat uncommunicative, just have a barbershop quartet or chorus
sing to me or even put a headset on my ears with barbershop music playing.
A Smart Aleck and a Senior Citizen
April
18, 2013 at 8:17 am
A smart aleck
and a senior citizen are sitting next to each other on a long flight.
The smart aleck is thinking that seniors are so dumb that he could get
one over on them easy.
So the smart aleck asks if the senior would like to play a fun game.
The senior is tired and just wants to take a nap, so he politely declines
and tries to catch a few winks.
The smart
aleck persists saying that the game is a lot of
fun. ‘I ask you a question, and if you don’t know the answer, you pay me
only $5. Then you ask me one, and if I don’t know the answer, I will pay you
$500,’ he says.
This catches the senior’s attention and to keep the smart aleck quiet,
he agrees to play the game.
The smart
aleck asks the first question. ‘What’s the distance from the Earth to the
Moon?’
The senior doesn’t say a word, but reaches into his pocket, pulls out a
five-dollar bill, and hands it to the smart aleck.
Now it’s the
senior’s turn. He asks the smart aleck, ‘What goes up a hill with three
legs, and comes down with four?’
The smart aleck uses his laptop and searches all references he could
find on the Net.
He sends e-mails to all the smart friends he knows; all to no avail. After
an hour of searching, he finally gives up.
He wakes the
senior and hands him $500. The senior pockets the $500 and goes right back to
sleep.
The smart aleck is going nuts not knowing the answer. He wakes the
senior up and asks, ‘Well, so what goes up a hill with three legs and comes
down with four?’
The senior reaches into his pocket, hands the smart aleck $5 and goes
back to sleep.
[With age come
wisdom and the ability to win over those smart “a”s.]
Skin, Oh My Aging Skin
April
17, 2013 at 8:48 am
About five
years ago I happened to look down at my arm just as I turned it in a twisting
motion. What was it I saw? My skin was sort of sagging and dimpling (for a
while I refused to recognize it as wrinkling). Recently it hit me, not only was
I obtain “aging skin,” but like my Mom’s toenails, I was now obtaining her
skin. The photo below shows not only that aging skin, but also the age “spots”
that I remember my Dad having increasingly as he aged. Oh well, not much I can
do about it except recognize it as a natural part of the aging process.
Oh, My Aching Back!
April
16, 2013 at 8:54 am
For various
reasons, I had not helped Janet with the spring yard work (raking around
bushes, edging, etc.) for four or more years (I know, what was I thinking?). This
morning I worked for only about an hour with some of these tasks and, wow, did
I pay the price. An aching and stiff back, plus the carpel tunnel problem in my
right wrist and thumb let me know it was still there. A diagnosed issue with
some arthritis between the C4- C5 vertebrae also cried for some relief. The
cited photo below describes visually how I feel. Thus, I need a hot shower and
will do some running around for top soil and grass seed to let things calm
down. Aging is definitely not for sissies.
CC Image
courtesy chispita_666’s photostream
Blood Pressure Problems
April
15, 2013 at 12:33 pm
For the past
2-3 years my blood pressure has been rising. I was on a couple of meds for
other reasons that also could be used to lower blood pressure so nothing new
was prescribed. Over a year ago I reached the American Heart Association-defined
High Blood Pressure Stage 1 (Systolic 140-159 and Diastolic 90-99) and my GP
had me begin to periodically chart my BP with an Omron home monitor. I could
watch it rising over time and by the time of my annual physical a couple of
months ago, I was beginning to occasionally enter Stage 2 (160 or higher over
100 or higher). I was becoming worried about this in terms of cardiovascular
disease possibilities and my GP and I talked about it. She added a new med and
I began charting my BP every day, morning and night.
It has begun
to work and I have been fairly consistently at the lower range of Stage 1
again. Occasionally I even get into the 130s over the lower 80s. I checked with
my GP this past week and we are both pleased with the results, but she wants me
to continue monitoring it twice a day for the next month. The photo below is a
graphic from the Internet, but it matches closely to my monitor and I have been
regularly besting those figures. Obviously, I know that I should lose 10-20
pounds and that could have positive effects both on my BP and the slight ache
in my right knee. I do continue to walk three or more times each week for 40-50
minutes and occasionally do strength training at the gym (I know, I know, I
should be doing more of each). As many reading this will know, however, eating
less is not always easy (I do love my desserts) and finding (or taking) time
for exercise is often a challenge. I simply will keep trying.
cc Image
courtesy Adrian Puser’s photostream
on Flickr
Feet Problems
April
14, 2013 at 7:19 pm
My feet
problems go well beyond the varicose veins forming in my ankles. About two
years ago I started developing a burning sensation in my feet when I walked.
The pain kept getting worse so during the 18 months following that initial
discomfort I saw a podiatrist, neurologist, two orthopedic specialists, and a
witch doctor (not really on this last one, but I was about ready to resort to
one). Nobody seemed to be able to help and it was becoming a big problem,
limiting some of my walking and workout activities. I was alternating almost
too much between Naproxen, Acetaminophen, and Ibuprofen (I knew I shouldn’t
take too much of any single inflammatory reducing compound for too long for
fear of long term impacts) to keep me going that one of the orthopedic
specialists finally said I should talk to my GP. Thus in my annual physical a
couple of months ago I mentioned all these problems to my GP. She suggested I
try a Gaba analog drug as it
can sometimes be used as a broad-spectrum analgesic for pain relief. Now I am
not giving anyone who reads this a recommendation as that comes only from your
medical professionals, but by working me up over a few weeks to 300 mg (100 mg
at a time three times a day), it finally has worked. I really don’t think about
the pain anymore unless I get over tired or over use my feet, I am back to my
walking and workout routines, and this aging body seems to have overcome most
of the foot pain. Thank goodness for my wonderful GP.
The Processes of Aging
April
13, 2013 at 10:10 am
Here is a
great but concise piece on the processes of aging: http://www.bcm.edu/hcoa/index.cfm?pmid=13595
Many jobs in a lifetime!
April
12, 2013 at 3:53 pm
How many
different jobs have you had in your lifetime? Can you match this? http://roghiemstra.com/myjobs.pdf .
Ah, those varicose veins are creeping in.
April
11, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Ten years ago
my ankles were nice and clear. Wow, look at them now!
Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder
April
10, 2013 at 10:07 am
Does this ever
happen to you? It does to me (I seem to remember that it does anyway, I think). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oHBG3ABUJU
The Balding Me
April
9, 2013 at 2:48 pm
I did not
realize how much hair I had lost in the past few years until a saw a photo
taken of the back of my head. Wow! However, if you stare at the balding area
for a while, I think you can see a stag emerging (or is it my hopeful
imagination).
Photo Display of My Life and Aging Process
April
8, 2013 at 8:23 am
Yesterday I presented
a whimsical look at me. However, today on a bit more serious pictorial review,
check out this page where I portray my life with photos: http://roghiemstra.com/thedecades.pdf.
An Autobodiography
April
7, 2013 at 10:51 am
Some people
write autobiographies, I create an autobodiography.
Don’t swoon ladies and don’t be too envious gents.
Test of Your Knowledge on Aging
April
6, 2013 at 5:57 am
Test your
knowledge about aging and the aged. Here are three sample true-false questions:
_ In general, most old people are pretty much alike.
_ The majority of old people are socially isolated and lonely.
_ The majority of old people are seldom bored.
Try out this
quiz. There is an answer key and even a second quiz if you feel so inclined. http://roghiemstra.com/agefact1.html.
End of life ideas
April
5, 2013 at 7:41 am
A Book
Recommendation
As my Mom
enters into a stage of needing much more care and support to stay in her own
home, a book was recommended to me that is wonderful. Living at the
End of Life by Karen Whitley
Bell. She
Pink eye – you must be kidding!
April
4, 2013 at 4:35 pm
I have not
felt well the past several days, so decided to start this blog, Ag, The Aging
Me! Then wouldn’t you know it, I woke this morning with both eyes almost
crusted shut. My bronchitis of this past week seems to have morphed into
something else. I visited the doctor and the verdict was Pink Eye! At almost 75
it is almost laughable and not so pleasant. An anti-biotic should take care of
it within a few days, but what will be next – a blue tongue?
Image courtesy
doctorspiller.com
Take
Personal Responsibility for Learning Posts
A
Feast of Learning: International Perspectives on Adult Learning and Change
May 25, 2013 at 1:40 pm
I am very pleased about this book that came out in the summer of
2013 (IAP –
Information Age Publishing) with the title shown above. I and an adult
education colleague in France are the editors. This book grew out of a
symposium near Paris last summer that involved nine presenters from six
countries (Canada, Colombia, Germany, France, the UK, and the USA).
I believe that it will make a nice contribution to the literature
as chapters focus on such topics as heuristics of adult learning, facilitating
self-directed learning, placing individuals at the center of the learning
process, executive self-development, distance learning, science self-directed
learning, entertainment-education, positive deviance in transforming education,
and learning through the life course.
In our symposium the task was to concentrate our research and
intellectual acumen on where adult learning is heading in the 21st Century. The
exciting dialogue, support, and energy that flowed throughout our time together
led to a decision to create this book from our collective presentations and the
feedback provided by each other. I am convinced that the synergistic result of
bringing together each of has resulted in new learning applications, research
streams, and practice suggestions that will benefit the field of adult learning
for years to come. I hope, too, that it will spawn much new scholarship.
Vary Instructional Techniques to Help
Learners Take Increasing Responsibility
August
26, 2011 at 8:52 am
Many times it
feels more comfortable for an instructor to use the same teaching technique
over and over again regardless of its effectiveness. For example, many
instructors rely almost exclusively on the lecture method without considering
other techniques that could work even better in helping learners take
increasing responsibility for their own learning. This is not to say the
lecture technique is inherently bad. However, using it nearly exclusively in
lieu of other equally effective techniques can lead to learners depending on an
instructor for information rather than exploring alternatively learning
techniques.
To combat this
problem, conduct an instructional
audit of your teaching
units. This involves analyzing each lesson plan or activity and then choosing
at least three different instructional techniques through which content can be
acquired. For example, for a group of learners meeting two hours in a row, you
might decide to use a mini-lecture, small group discussion, and a simulation
exercise. In an online course, a brief lecture using YouTube, an audio link, or
PPT slides with notes could be augmented by learners working independently on
study material or participating in asynchronous discussion forums.
By using
several different techniques for delivering information, you are varying the
presentation modes, providing learners with opportunities to participate,
finding ways of involving the learners in the teaching and learning process,
and promoting the notion of learners taking more responsibility for their own
learning. Becoming actively involved in the instructional transactions helps
learners take increasing ownership for what takes place. For more information,
read Assimilating
a Personalized Approach into Instructional Processes: http://roghiemstra.com/tlchap4.html.
Importance of a Learning Environment
August
24, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Although most
people can adapt and survive in a variety of conditions, a physical learning
environment needs to foster friendliness, hospitality, and feelings of comfort.
Places that appear inhospitable often result in people who do not seem to care
about each other. Buildings appearing user-friendly are places that reflect
people who are hospitable and make sure the environment is pleasing and
welcoming. There is a corollary point here. A building cannot be any more
hospitable than the people who use it. No matter how well equipped or designed
a facility may be, there is no substitute for friendliness and hospitality
among users of the facility. In reality, hospitality should be a watchword in
all adult learning settings.
A teaching
environment that is well tended promotes more active participation in the
learning experience. Human creatures, like other creatures, tend to establish
territories. Adjustment of things in our personal spaces is another of our
interesting habits. We do this to give meaning to our space and to create a
sense of comfort or familiarity. Personal space needs and territoriality in
instructional settings can be dealt with by making sure that the spaces are not
overcrowded and that each adult has adequate space for working and for storing
personal items. Further, any barriers that are physical should be dismantled if
the teacher wants to convey an atmosphere of collaboration in the learning
experience.
As we move
increasingly to online or blended learning that combines both physical space
connections and online discussions, the learning environment needs to be even
more carefully considered. The implications of such changes for how people
interact successfully with each other will be the subject of a future essay.
For more information on this topic see Where we Learn Shapes our Learning: http://roghiemstra.com/ndacelech3.html.
Toward Increasing a Learner’s
Personal Responsibility
August
19, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Most
instructors teach the way they were taught and this usually means assuming an
authority position where all decisions regarding what will be learned, how it
will be learned, and how it will be evaluated rests with the instructor. While
this approach certainly has some value for particular situations where a high
degree of structure and control is necessary, in general, an individualizing
approach is more effective than an authoritative approach with adult learners
because it capitalizes on those innate capacities for self-direction.
It is not
easy, initially, to embrace an individualizing instructional approach without
some degree of hesitancy, confusion, or skepticism. After all, most of us were
initially trained to believe or shown that instruction was largely a one-way
street and usually from that authority position. Many new (and experienced)
instructors worry about the proper role of a teacher. It is recommended that
you keep an open mind to the potential of organizing instruction differently
and give it an honest try. Here are several observations and suggestions for
making the process viable.
1. The
negative response of certain learners may cause you to question whether the
individualizing approach really works.
Some learners
may at first find the approach appearing too permissive and loose. This
reaction can be expected as most learners have been accustomed to a more
teacher directed approach and will be confused when an instructor urges them to
take increasing charge of their own learning. Simply be aware that some people
will initially believe an instructional role should be conventional or
teacher-directed.
2. Some
colleagues may question an instructor’s use of an individualizing instructional
process and challenge its efficacy.
The plain
truth is that some instructors are threatened by the idea of giving learners a
role in the instructional process. They often have conventional ideas about what
an instructor should and should not do. Rather than be personally threatened by
this reaction, the best defense is offense. Start a dialogue about your
evolving views of instruction. Though you may not convince everyone, as you
gain experience and have increasing success, the proof will be in the pudding.
3. Certain
bureaucratic hurdles may interfere with the use of an individualizing
instructional process.
While these
hurdles or barriers are sometimes only sources of irritation, they should
certainly not be overlooked or ignored. The key is understanding
the nature of the policies and following them according to the spirit rather
than the letter of the law. For example, certain institutions have a
standardized syllabus format that must be followed. If this is the case, follow
the prescribed format but add additional information through attachments or
appendices. This compromise usually satisfies the needs of the institution and
learners.
4. Above
all else, be patient, flexible, and trusting in the abilities of yourself and
learners.
It is not
unusual to desire fairly immediate results if you are trying a new approach to
teaching. If results are slow in coming, a typical response might be to abandon
it. However, one of the consequences is that many good ideas are then never
able to mature. Thus, don’t expect too much too soon when the individualizing
approach. Because the process involves a good deal of preplanning, challenges
previous instructional experiences, and often is new to you and your learners,
it will take time to realize the kind of benefits that will surely come.
5. Giving
frequent feedback to and receiving it from learners are useful ways of promoting
instructional success.
One of the
most important things you can do to ensure instructional success is to give
frequent feedback to your adult learners. In addition, solicit frequent
feedback from learners regarding how the learning experience is progressing and
how your instruction is being perceived. This helps determine progress and what
kinds of changes need to be made so as to make the experience as meaningful as
possible.
6. It is
desirable to use a variety of teaching techniques in the individualizing
process.
Many
instructors rely almost exclusively on the lecture method without considering
other techniques that could work even better in helping learners attain their
desired competencies. To combat this problem conduct
an “instructional audit” of your teaching units. This involves analyzing each
lesson plan or activity and then choosing at least three different
instructional techniques to deliver the necessary content.
7.
Recognize and use learner expertise in your instructional efforts.
One of the
characteristics that distinguish adult learners is the amount of expertise they
possess. For example, it is not unusual to find a significant number of
experienced professionals in any adult learning situation. Providing
illustrations that relate to or grow out of such experience and asking for
potential solutions to any problems are additional ways of connecting new
information with the expertise at hand.
8.
Recognize that the individualizing process will not work perfectly for all
learners, and that some take longer than others to adapt to the process.
As effective
as the individualizing process can be, there will be a few people who resist
efforts to assume personal responsibility for learning. These learners often
demand that you be teacher-directed in every conceivable way. For these kinds
of learners, we suggest you provide the kind of direction they demand while at
the same time moving them to assume greater self-direction.
9. The
individualizing process can be a structured approach to helping adults assume
greater responsibility for their learning.
The
individualizing instructional process is not a laissez faire approach to learning where
anything goes. In fact, the process has considerable structure built into it.
At the same time, there should be sufficient flexibility so that mature
learners can indeed direct their own learning. The individualizing process
works equally well for those learners who need greater structure as well as
those who need less. By focusing attention on the individual needs of learners
and devising personalized plans for meeting those needs, the whole meaning of
learning is transformed from one of passive acceptance to one of personal
empowerment.
For more
information read Assimilating a Personalized
Approach into Your Instruction: http://roghiemstra.com/tlchap4.html.
August
16, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Promoting Personal Ownership
Most adults,
when given the opportunity, prefer to control their own learning activities.
Considerable research on adult learning efforts in the past few decades has
shown that individuals can take considerable control of various tasks.
Individualizing instructional efforts enables each learner to take action, find
resources, figure out a comfortable learning pace, and plan the kind of
learning that is most appropriate for meeting any particular need. Following
are five ways to help ensure people begin to take personal ownership of their
learning activities:
1. Access
routes to learning resources need to be varied to meet the different individual
educational support requirements.
2.
Self-discipline and self-confidence are requirements for successful
individualized study so have patience and faith that the individualizing
approach will work.
3.
Instructors should serve as facilitators as well as emphasize the mastery of
specific content areas in helping learners assume responsibility.
4. The
instructor’s attitude toward the ability of learners is very important when
using an individualizing approach so let them discover their own potential.
5. The
instructor may need to play a counseling or mentoring
role with some learners in helping them gain confidence and understand what
they can do by themselves.
For more information
read Fostering a Shared
Responsibility Between Instructor and Learner: http://roghiemstra.com/tlchap5.html.