What’s the best way to avoid or minimise losing height as I get older? [more inside]
posted by girlgenius on Sep 1, 2009 - 23 answers

Please recommend articles, essays or books about aging. [more inside]
posted by cheapskatebay on Aug 19, 2009 - 9 answers

How can I make time slow down? [more inside]
posted by changeling on Aug 18, 2008 - 40 answers

Senile Stubborn Grandpa Filter. My grandfather lost my grandmother 5 years ago. My mom is the only one around to take care of him now. They live in Michigan. Since my grandmother's death, his mind and body have deteriorated considerably. My mother and I think he is getting / has dementia. [more inside]
posted by kaizen on Apr 7, 2008 - 17 answers

What are the worst (natural) ways to die as an old person in terms of how it must feel for them? Are there ways to die for which the symptoms cannot be alleviated by medical means and it's just a completely dreadful existence until death? What fraction of people die old horribly? [more inside]
posted by vizsla on Jan 17, 2007 - 31 answers

Dealing with dementia (especially Old Timers)
More, erm... thing. Oh, you know... Aren't those flowers a pretty colour? [more inside]
posted by twine42 on Sep 2, 2004 - 11 answers

My grandmother is nearing 90 years old and experiencing increasing effects of dementia. She's been forgetful for a while, but only lately has she started mistaking individuals for others - typically, she thinks I'm a niece of hers, instead of her granddaughter. As her confusion increases, so does my discomfort. I want to spend as much time with her as I can while she's still here, but when entire conversations are filled with misinformation and paranoia (she can't remember where she "hides" money and important objects, so she thinks people steal from her), it's difficult to witness. Any suggestions on how I can get over myself?
posted by ferociouskitty on Jun 6, 2004 - 9 answers

'nother dog question. Last year my (now) 9-year-old dog (Lab/golden mix) became afraid to descend stairs. She stands at the top and woofs until you stand at or near the bottom and reach up to her, then she will come down unassisted but tentatively as you "glilde" her down with a sweep of your arm (OK, maybe I just do the glide because it's fun). Very occasionally she has a similar problem climbing.
My first thought was her eyesight, but if it were failing, how would I know? And the presence/absence of light seems not to matter. Can a vet diagnose vision problems?

The stairs are uncarpeted wood. Does anyone think it would help to put a carpet runner on the stairs?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders on Dec 29, 2003 - 8 answers