Tools for old age....

[Ton ton]

I take it for head aches.

 

[Jagmandave]

my doctor has me on some kind of elephant pill that I take three times a day something to do with the nerve endings in my feet; it sure works I can tell when it wears off./QUOTE]

Gabapentin? I take two of those at night so my feet don't drive me crazy - along with a cupful of other meds!

At almost 72 and having died recently, I still like to go down to the shop and do stuff, but I recognize my limitations.

All the suggestions here are great - I use a big magnifying glass to read part numbers and such, lots of high powered lights, a mirror to see things up under the dash.

I have a scissor lift which has been a godsend to my back, and thick runner carpets (like Cintas uses) for around my work areas - the best benefit of those is that if I drop a small screw or something, it usually stays right there, and is easy to spot against the black carpet. although there are times I have to call the wife down to help find an errant screw or ball bearing that has rolled off somewhere....

There's another thing that hasn't been discussed here - what happens if something happens? How do you call for help if you're in trouble? I've been thinking about installing another Wyze camera in the shop, so the wife can see me if "I've fallen and I can't get up"......or worse than that if I hit my head or something.

I'm not ready to subscribe to one of those services, but I'm thinking about how I might do something like that only to reach the wife. Obviously the easiest thing is just to keep your cell phone on you at all times....but sometimes when you're crawling in and out from under the dash it's not convenient to have the phone on you or in your pocket. Still working on that idea, but as long as Cortana or Siri or whoever can hear you she should be able to dial for you......but I wonder if she can put it on speaker so you can be heard? Need to learn more about my phone I guess......

 

[Ton ton]

my doctor has me on some kind of elephant pill that I take three times a day something to do with the nerve endings in my feet; it sure works I can tell when it wears off./QUOTE]

Gabapentin? I take two of those at night so my feet don't drive me crazy - along with a cupful of other meds!

At almost 72 and having died recently, I still like to go down to the shop and do stuff, but I recognize my limitations.

All the suggestions here are great - I use a big magnifying glass to read part numbers and such, lots of high powered lights, a mirror to see things up under the dash.

I have a scissor lift which has been a godsend to my back, and thick runner carpets (like Cintas uses) for around my work areas - the best benefit of those is that if I drop a small screw or something, it usually stays right there, and is easy to spot against the black carpet. although there are times I have to call the wife down to help find an errant screw or ball bearing that has rolled off somewhere....

There's another thing that hasn't been discussed here - what happens if something happens? How do you call for help if you're in trouble? I've been thinking about installing another Wyze camera in the shop, so the wife can see me if "I've fallen and I can't get up"......or worse than that if I hit my head or something.

I'm not ready to subscribe to one of those services, but I'm thinking about how I might do something like that only to reach the wife. Obviously the easiest thing is just to keep your cell phone on you at all times....but sometimes when you're crawling in and out from under the dash it's not convenient to have the phone on you or in your pocket. Still working on that idea, but as long as Cortana or Siri or whoever can hear you she should be able to dial for you......but I wonder if she can put it on speaker so you can be heard? Need to learn more about my phone I guess......

You died recently?

 

[ScottsGT]

I take it for head aches.

I usually hand mine a glass of wine and she leaves me alone.

 

[dagofast]

The best tool for old age is to keep a young body around to do the heavy lifting. Lacking that, I have added much bright light, a hoist, a lift table, a 4 post lift and a motorcycle lift.

Sadly, due to bad allergic reactions, I can't take NSAIDS. So I just gotta live with the pain and decide if doing somethings are worth it.

 

[WinMod21]

~ At almost 72 and having died recently, I still like to go down to the shop and do stuff, but I recognize my limitations. ~

Yeah, I'm almost dying to know how you're able to go to the shop and do stuff after you...'died recently' !

And I want some of whatever those drugs are you've been takin' !

 

[cpttuna]

I don't worry about that which I can't handle, only that with which i can. I can still breathe and get to the garage. If i can't fix it, I call my mechanic.

 

[MJK]

Anybody ever tried upgrading from cardboard to a Yoga mat type thing?

These keep popping up in my Amazon feed and it looks tempting and more portably stored than a creeper.

 

[jonesg]

my doctor has me on some kind of elephant pill that I take three times a day something to do with the nerve endings in my feet; it sure works I can tell when it wears off./QUOTE]

Gabapentin? I take two of those at night so my feet don't drive me crazy - along with a cupful of other meds!

At almost 72 and having died recently, I still like to go down to the shop and do stuff, but I recognize my limitations.

All the suggestions here are great - I use a big magnifying glass to read part numbers and such, lots of high powered lights, a mirror to see things up under the dash.

I have a scissor lift which has been a godsend to my back, and thick runner carpets (like Cintas uses) for around my work areas - the best benefit of those is that if I drop a small screw or something, it usually stays right there, and is easy to spot against the black carpet. although there are times I have to call the wife down to help find an errant screw or ball bearing that has rolled off somewhere....

There's another thing that hasn't been discussed here - what happens if something happens? How do you call for help if you're in trouble? I've been thinking about installing another Wyze camera in the shop, so the wife can see me if "I've fallen and I can't get up"......or worse than that if I hit my head or something.

I'm not ready to subscribe to one of those services, but I'm thinking about how I might do something like that only to reach the wife. Obviously the easiest thing is just to keep your cell phone on you at all times....but sometimes when you're crawling in and out from under the dash it's not convenient to have the phone on you or in your pocket. Still working on that idea, but as long as Cortana or Siri or whoever can hear you she should be able to dial for you......but I wonder if she can put it on speaker so you can be heard? Need to learn more about my phone I guess......

Yeh, I was bent over trying to yank my radiator out of the volvo, when I stood up I got very dizzy, I stumbled out of the garage, if I collapse I want to be found on the driveway, not hidden in my garage with the door closed.
my neighbors watch out for me.

 

[Crow Horse]

I'm closing in on 65. After a lifetime of physical work (26 years as a carpet installer and 11 years in a metal fabrication shop) the years of abuse to my body have caught up with me. One foot surgery and 3 knee surgeries (total knee replacements) have created some limitations and I had to get innovative to sidestep these issues. Work smarter not harder.

I purchased a 20v Dewalt impact gun.

I modified an aluminum floor jack to accept wheels capable of traversing my gravel driveway. My old steel floor jack was impossible to move around.

I found that lifting the tires of my Tacomas was almost impossible for me to get them back on the hubs so I use a HF car dolly to do the lifting for me. Easy peasy!

 

[finn]

I am 69. Best old age tools are an $8 foam pad for kneeling on (from a swap meet vendor). A couple of magnets on sticks, cordless drop lights with magnets, and assorted stools.

I regret getting a two post instead of a four point lift.

 

[Bruce57]

I'm closing in on 63. I'm a field tech installing and servicing heavy machinery. I can still outwork the millennials. Sometimes my boss cuts me a little slack because of my age, sometimes not. I wake up daily with aches and pains. I use small chain come alongs for some lifting I used to manually lift. Long ratchets and wrenches help. I have various battery impacts to use instead of hand wrenching. Hoping to stay on the job 4 more years, Good Lord willing.

 

[WisJim]

We're moving into town to a city lot from 79 acres, after my new smaller shop are ready. One advantage is that I'll have 2 adult sons within a couple blocks in town to give a hand when needed. Downsizing is the hard part.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I'm closing in on 65. After a lifetime of physical work (26 years as a carpet installer and 11 years in a metal fabrication shop) the years of abuse to my body have caught up with me. One foot surgery and 3 knee surgeries (total knee replacements) have created some limitations and I had to get innovative to sidestep these issues. Work smarter not harder.

I purchased a 20v Dewalt impact gun.

I modified an aluminum floor jack to accept wheels capable of traversing my gravel driveway. My old steel floor jack was impossible to move around.

I found that lifting the tires of my Tacomas was almost impossible for me to get them back on the hubs so I use a HF car dolly to do the lifting for me. Easy peasy!

I’m also coming to the 65 crosshairs. When I was a young guy I had a chance to work laying carpet. Met the guy I would be helping and at 40 years of age and had developed a very noticeable limp. He commented that it was from the carpet kicker. I would have been just doing it part time as I was already employed. He just wanted a helper in the evening. I took a pass. Tough on the knees but it did pay well. Today’s equipment isn’t as tough on the body I’m told.
Like your modifications on your tire equipment. Hope you don’t mind but I’m going to use your car dolly idea. Great idea.

 

[Jagmandave]

You died recently?

Yes...July1. Heart stopped, no respiration......the only good news is that I was already in the ER ICU and they used the jumper cables on me and got me going again. fluke deal, a small bit of placque broke off and blocked the LAD artery. Don't know how long I was gone, but it was long enough that they did give me artificial respiration till they got my heart started again....they won't tell you the details. The reason I know this is that if they're doing it right, they break your ribs!

They roto-rootered it out, put in a stent and I'm good to go except for the recovery from the chest compressions and the cupful of meds I take every day.

My cholesterol is 50/35 with 50 the "good", I'm only about 20 lbs overweight, BP good, 120/70 usually and so on......fluke deal, but it can happen to anyone anytime I guess.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I like the idea of those tire jacks. I found I couldn't man handle my 1ton truck tires on, I had to use a prybar to lift them.

 

[WinMod21]

Yes...July1. Heart stopped, no respiration......the only good news is that I was already in the ER ICU and they used the jumper cables on me and got me going again. fluke deal, a small bit of placque broke off and blocked the LAD artery. Don't know how long I was gone, but it was long enough that they did give me artificial respiration till they got my heart started again....they won't tell you the details. The reason I know this is that if they're doing it right, they break your ribs!

They roto-rootered it out, put in a stent and I'm good to go except for the recovery from the chest compressions and the cupful of meds I take every day.

My cholesterol is 50/35 with 50 the "good", I'm only about 20 lbs overweight, BP good, 120/70 usually and so on......fluke deal, but it can happen to anyone anytime I guess.

Oh my gosh, so sorry to read that, but how great indeed that they were able to save you!
Your specs do seem pretty good, at any rate, imho, and good on you for keeping your weight down to only +20 !
All of which, upon reading your specs, has me thinking that I must be a walking stroke about to happen.... as mine must surely be way worse.

Congratulations on your strong recovery !

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Yes...July1. Heart stopped, no respiration......the only good news is that I was already in the ER ICU and they used the jumper cables on me and got me going again. fluke deal, a small bit of placque broke off and blocked the LAD artery. Don't know how long I was gone, but it was long enough that they did give me artificial respiration till they got my heart started again....they won't tell you the details. The reason I know this is that if they're doing it right, they break your ribs!

They roto-rootered it out, put in a stent and I'm good to go except for the recovery from the chest compressions and the cupful of meds I take every day.

My cholesterol is 50/35 with 50 the "good", I'm only about 20 lbs overweight, BP good, 120/70 usually and so on......fluke deal, but it can happen to anyone anytime I guess.

Glad you are okay. A buddy of mine just had a heart attack he also was around people that gave him CPR. He said it saved his life, only now has a couple of cracked ribs and a punctured lung. He is a rancher/farmer and a bachelor so if it would of happened on his farm he would have been a goner.