I live alone and don't do too well with getting things done. I have my groceries delivered, and I have a cleaning couple come in and clean but laundry and everyday chores are difficult. I can't really do laundry (I have tons of underwear and housecoats and linen). I take care of my cat, and a feral cat, I feed squirrels and birds and an ocassional opossom. For those that are living alone I wonder if you would let me know how you cope with it.
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Hi Jane Have thought about you a lot , last time I sent an e-mail to you was in July 2018 there are many of us in the same predicament, I know for myself Evert does almost everything for me also or I would be in a nursing home I think assisted living would probably be above my pay grade, I take at least as many pills as fingers and toes just had a couple more added recently,and my list of doctors is more than I want.. Your long post was just fine, just keep on posting and you will make up for not doing so. I keep thinking I should do more posting here on the site but most know I am around because of playing the games Don puts on we have had a threesome with him, Audrey and myself, have not done word games for awhile now Joyce was playing but her eyesight got worse. I will start again if you will play, I wish Texas donated their lottery money to Seniors medicines , maybe I will suggest it to them ( you think they would listen) I am on oxygen all the time also.I read some things Shirley has posted on face book and sometimes I post a reply I know she would post if others did on this and that ., she has been having problems with her internet provider also,
I think Faybee's is waiting for a lung transplant or something she has not posted on Daves site for awhile. Don't keep us waiting again girl ( pretty Please) are you answering your E-mails now?
I'm sorry I haven't posted for such a long time and I don't even have a good excuse. So I'm guessing it was because I was so down about living COPD. Not a good excuse since we all share that. Really never was good on posting anyway, but loved paying the games.
Popcorn's post "Living Alone" caught my eye and while I don't live alone I figured I could contribute something. My husband died 11 years ago and about a year later I met Tommy and we have lived together ever since. Five years into our relationship I had Pneumonia and have been on O2 prn ever since.
So, up until about four months ago I did all the food shopping, laundry, light housekeeping, cooking, dishes, made the bed. We share taking care of our 6 cats that we both love dearly.
One day I woke up and knew something was different. I wasn't actually sick, but I seemed to have lost almost all of my energy had more difficulty breathing. I was afraid to leave the house. My birthday was in November and Tommy wanted to take me to dinner. I was OK until on the way home I said I had to stop at Walgreens for Kleenex. I was in there about a minute when I felt light headed, couldn't breathe so went right back to the car and home. I have not been out since. I have never used O2 while out of the house and in house used it mostly while sleeping. Now I use it almost all of the time.
Without having someone living with me I do not know how I could make it physically and financially. Tommy is a lot of help like taking out the trash, cutting the grass, making the bed, even opening jars, helping with the laundry the exact same way Sandylei's husband does, (Hi Sandy, miss you) he takes care the litter boxes and lots & lots of other little things, big things too, but he never cleans the house or washes windows just runs the vacuum. I can manage some of the light stuff and I clean the bathroom sink and toilet, but not the tub. I can't lean over to do that.
If it wasn't for Tommy I would probably have to go into assisted living. Pennsylvania's Lottery spends all it's profits on seniors the most I pay for any prescription is 8.00 My sister would like me to move to Delaware where she lives, but I can't do it because I could not afford my medication.
Better say goodnight, nice to be back and apologies for such a long post.
Jane
Yes it's so difficult to get to everything. Either we have no energy (sometimes I don't have enongh to pay bill and I'm sitting!) or no funds. I want to have everything in place for my daughter after im gone. I'm only have way there and that's so important.
My husband is a big help , making sure I take my medicine and that I have food to eat, but he is not a housekeeper, so there's alot to be done, I do so little I may put a load of clothes in to be washed, I usually ask him to pull them out of the washer, and also hanging things on hangers wears me out. I have started doing a few exercises again , but need to do much better on that, for it to make a difference. I might could afford someone to clean on a one time payment of $ 200.00 but not every month, then it would have to be just little chores once a month. Living out in the country is not as easy as it is when younger. there is still lots of chores outside that my husband cannot get to all of it. well maybe things will work out I hope anyhow
I had no idea milk could be frozen. That solves a big problem for me. Thank you.
I pay $6.95 for my delivered groceries (because it is always over $100.00, otherwise it would be $9.95. I tip $15.00.
My house cleaners cost me anywhere from $125.00 to $200.00.
The guy that mows my lawn charges $30.00 each time.
I can't use the ride because i need someone to come with me to Carrie my extra oxygen and purse, and wheel me in wheelchair. I don't bring my cane because it is just too bulkie.
To mow an acre, using my riding mower and gas, I pay the landscaper $50. If they bring gas, I pay extra. Yesterday, they mowed in the rain and I paid them an extra $25 - my choice, not they're request.
When the tree guys have to come out, it's $300 on up.
I used to buy that long life milk, guess they still have it somewhere , but have not been to a grocery store in a long time , just what do you ladies spend on those your hire, I realize it will be what they have to do .
Milk freezes very well - I always have some milk frozen in plastic bottles or sachets. We also get long life milk that doesn't have to refrigerated until opened and I'm not sure if you get it in the USA. Always handy to have a box or two in the cupboard if the milk goes off. We also get a longer life milk that is refrigerated that lasts about 2 weeks after purchase if refrigerated. I now have someone that comes in once a week to do the cleaning - as far as laundry is concerned if something needs to be ironed I don't own it. Have you considered downsizing Millie and perhaps selling and buying a more user friendly property. WE have quite a lot of places that cater for the elderly in a complex but it is still independent living but those who are more able often help out with a bit of shopping when they are going to the shops or a lift to the Doctor. In these facilities one can be independent but still have enough people around for a bit of conversation or a helping hand.
I have to have home delivery because I can't walk very far at all and I live in a Raised Ranch, so no matter how I slice it I can't avoid stairs. My problem with even having it delivered is the milk doesn't last as long as the groceries, so I have to buy more often because of it. A lot of the times my brother in law will pick it up for me in between orders.
I too have learned to look the other way when it comes to the house cleaning Even though I have this couple come in and clean they only do so much. My sister commented on the house and I told her that was the least of my worries.
My cat is telling me she wants attention. Talk to you later.
Two groceries have home delivery without an annual membership, but only one extends sale prices to delivery customers. Neither one has good meat, and I'm not sure how good the veggies would be when you don't pick them out yourself. I may end up having to use the service anyway - especially in the winter. There isn't much problem unloading groceries from the car, since I park a few steps from my kitchen door. and really don't buy that much. Right now, it's ok - but I have to plan for the future.
Do any of the grocery stores have home delivery near you? Shopping once a month sounds like it would be difficult to just get it from the car into to the house.
I live alone on a wooded acre of land. Other than hiring guys to mow for me, I really can't afford any help. Luckily, it's a ranch house with no basement, so everything is on one floor. Laundry isn't too hard, if I pace myself. I've given up having a clean house and am slowly learning to just look the other way. Grocery shopping is a once a month event and I rarely cook anymore. There are lots of veggie sandwiches in my diet and, if I'm careful and don't spill, a plate will go several days between washings. When I do cook, it's essential to make big batches so it will last a week or more.
This is not the life I had envisioned in my early days, but it is reality. I'd rather live like this than in a care facility - I like being alone too much for that.
I'm sure you're right. It doesn't get any better as time goes on. Just getting to the dr. with help is such a task.
I live with my daughter. I could not live alone at this point. I even have someone come in during the day to fix lunch and do light housekeeping while my daughter is at work.
Thanks Audrey. I agree.
I'm surprised there aren't more people that have to manage all we have on our plates living alone. Thought
we could share some of our knowledge with making life easier. Some tips to share.
As time goes on you may want to have someone help with laundry and prepare a few meals for you.