Aging and knowing when to stop carrying

[GIJEW]

Getting old and/or disabled increases the need to be armed. Disarming isn't something I'd rush to do. I'm 57 and I'm dealing with some physical disability (arthritic shoulder and partial paralysis from my waist down) but I see that as a need to practice and to find ways to compensate--just like I have to do with everything else. As for the brain-fade, I hear you. OJ and cereal are probably an aquired taste. We're creatures of habit and more practice along with more classes should go a long way toward keeping you from making a mistake.

Beautiful instruments! If you can make those, I don't believe your ability&faculties are beyond EDC

 

[Backpacker]

Beautiful instruments! If you can make those, I don't believe your ability&faculties are beyond EDC

I scrap about one in every four instruments. Usually simple mistakes.

 

[Hardscrable]

I would join the chorus in urging you reevaluate. I am 65, share your plague of severe arthritis & other medical issues, and...uh...can't remember what I, oh yes also have some short term memory issues ( but I can tell you every detail of something 40 years ago ). Anyway, I am no where near considering giving up EDC. I have accepted my problems - we have to play the cards we are dealt, no bluffing thru them. If you have a trusted doctor, maybe discuss with him. Exercise, etc. to keep arthritic joints in hands & fingers functioning as well as possible. I work at the range as much as I can to stay proficient. I have added lasers to carry pistols to help offset eyesight/trifocals. Have reevaluated what I carry, how I carry, and war game potential situations & how to respond ( differently than when I was younger ). Really work on situational awareness. I have given thought to the potential day coming that I need to give up my firearms but as for now it is still a looonnnnngggggg way off.

 

[fastwally]

Like mentioned above, check out your meds. Past that 60 mark 7 years ago but I can still shoot your eye out. Seriously though I was having the same problem for a while and found out 4 of my meds was doing it. If you take anything to sleep or some blood pressure meds can do it. Google: short term memory loss causes.

Check this, look at #3

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/5-surprising-causes-memory-loss/

 

[Backpacker]

Thanks fastwally. Meds maybe a factor.

 

[rugertoter]

My dad is 81 +- he has carried his entire adult life.
He has Parkinson's..
He stopped carrying around when he was 78 or 79 years old, he made a joke about it when asked, he said with the shake's he has he was afraid that in a hurry, he might just as easily pull out Duke instead of Rosco.. And with that he said Duke would be Assault with a Dead Weapon....

LOL! That's a good one! When I think I will be a safety hazard to others, then I might have to give up CC, but until then...

 

[JohnBoy1]

My dads 72 now and after 20 years on Ipd( pre impd days) and 10 years US Marshalls service dads gotten to the point he is losing guns, he's lost two in the last two months and has had the police come by for a report of being stolen just to have it turn up in a jacket pocket a week later. This week he got two of the gun cabinet keys mixed up and destroyed two perfectly fine rifle cabinets. His memory is starting to go and it really does crush me to see my father get like this. He has taught me so much and I hope I can teach my son the things he has taught me. I personally think it's just misplacing things of forgetting. I'm 31 and I'd forget my name if my wife didn't remind from what she says.

 

[Double T]

If you are having short term memory loss that is making you question the safety and efficacy of a carry gun, you really should get checked. Alzheimer's and dementia are no joke. There are drugs that you can take to delay certain aspects of these diseases.

Prayers.

 

[woodsie57]

Hey ! I'm 59, and i forget stuff- when I was 19, i forgot stuff . I can't recall why.

 

[slowG]

If i ever hit 80.. Im done

 

[Ghost Dog]

I have dealt with this issue with regards to my mother. Her physician said it was just short term memory and he won't prescribe any medication. He told my father to keep an eye on her and if she happens to misplace keys, wallet, purse, etc... that he is not to worry. But do come and see him again when she starts forgetting what those keys, purse and wallet are for.

 

[canterbc]

If you think meds may be a factor, you can talk them over with a pharmacist. The pharmacists that are doctors of pharmacy know far more about the drugs and possible interactions than an average doctor. Doctors are great at diagnosing, but a good pharmacist will know more about the drugs.

 

[nra4ever]

Dude you need to get to the gym asap and never stop going. Load up on L-carnosine and vitamins. Watch what you are eating. Look into hormone replacement and HGH. It's expensive but hey you can't take it with you any how. Like what was already said work on puzzles math problems and any activity like that. You are way to young for what you are describing. Good luck to you! Check back and let us know what helps.

 

[BE Mike]

60 is a distant memory (pun intended) for me. That being said, when I go to a public range I can still hold my own in comparison with the younger crowd. I still get folks asking me to help them with their shooting skills. Everyone ages differently. I do think that keeping the mind active is a factor in keeping it young, as well as, physical fitness. I play chess and word games frequently to keep the mind sharp and regularly work out at the Y. Getting good medical advice is a very good suggestion, but back to the original question. Do you think that your "senior moments" keep you from recognizing danger and responding accordingly? Do you consider that EDC is more a danger to the general public than an asset? If you answer yes to these questions, then by all means quit carrying until you find out if you have an issue with meds or some other correctable problem. If your problem is dementia, then you won't be getting better as time rolls along. If you have COPD and aren't using oxygen, your brain will be negatively affected.

 

[Zoub]

If you think meds may be a factor, you can talk them over with a pharmacist. The pharmacists that are doctors of pharmacy know far more about the drugs and possible interactions than an average doctor. Doctors are great at diagnosing, but a good pharmacist will know more about the drugs.

Great point. Most people don't know this. I did not know it, until I lived with one. Even about things in my shop or garden, I will ask her what she thinks about mixing A and B. She may not know, and I try to craft my questions to best tap her expertise, but even her wildest guesses help. They are chemists who care about outcomes in healthcare. Get to know one.

 

[6mm Shoot]

I know we all change in life at different times. I am 65 and still carry. I am more into guns than I have been in years. The advice of going to a doctor is the best I have heard so far.

My dad died at 79 and was still carrying a gun every where he went. He was very clear of head and his body just gave out.

I think I understand what you were talking about working and not doing your next step because your head was some place else. That happens to me also but it's because I am getting bored with common things. You can only do something for so long before it becomes boring. At that point it is time to go do something else and come back to the task when you have your head in the game. Do something else that holds your interest. Get away from the norm. That is what has worked for me.

I know it is hard to walk away from what you make money at but maybe you could do it part time. Then fill your days with stuff that is new and fun for you to do. Hay life is short. Do something that you like to do that holds your interest.

Good luck.

 

[223 Gunner]

I skimmed the tread. Statin meds for Cholesterol impact memory and can make you feel tired, dizzy and sluggish. If you're on them?
I would start walking at least 1/2 hour every day, drink plenty of water and get on a good vitamin regiment, go to GNC or a vitamin store.
I shop at Nature's Pharm right there at US31 just south of Stop11
Vitamin D alone will make a world of difference, most of us here in Indiana are low on D
I take 5000 IU's daily, I buy the Solgar brand. Like others have said I think you are too young to be feeling that way.

 

[Twangbanger]

View attachment 45719 View attachment 45720 I have built about 60 ukuleles in the last 4 years. I have about 10 to go to fulfill the waiting list and I am stopping. Arthritis has become a real deterrent to hand work.

A resonator Uke! That is awesome! I would love to see more detail on that one.

It will be a shame if/when you quit building.

 

[gglass]

It may be too soon, but I am going to err on the side of caution. I have been a shooter since I was 6 years old. Dad took me to the grandparents farm with a pistol and I was hooked. Over the years I have hunted, competed in matches, became an instructor and range officer. But here I am nearing 60 years old and I am doubting my instincts and reaction time. Short term memory is a problem now. I have been to the range recently and I am still hitting the target as expected. It is time for me to part with the carry gun. The shot gun will remain by the night stand as the last resort in an home invasion. It may be too soon, but I am going to err on the side of caution. What might you do if you come to this point?

You know your abilities better than anyone, but I would still seek the advise of a medical professional, as it seems to me that you might be jumping the gun on this decision. I am 52 and am still at the top of my game with regard to reaction time and general shooting skills, although my eye-wear prescription has to be changed often to keep me seeing my sights and target simultaneously.

You may want to consider that one of the top shooters on the circuit today is Jerry Miculek and he is 61 years old. (born September 7, 1954)

Jerry posts new content on his web page all the time and he looks as sharp as ever. Team Miculek - The Legacy Lives On

 

[Joniki]

You know your abilities better than anyone, but I would still seek the advise of a medical professional, as it seems to me that you might be jumping the gun on this decision. I am 52 and am still at the top of my game with regard to reaction time and general shooting skills, although my eye-wear prescription has to be changed often to keep me seeing my sights and target simultaneously.

You may want to consider that one of the top shooters on the circuit today is Jerry Miculek and he is 61 years old. (born September 7, 1954)

Jerry posts new content on his web page all the time and he looks as sharp as ever. Team Miculek - The Legacy Lives On

Fantastic post....