You gotta move.
Sad day ... physical problems regarding doing my own maintenance
- Thread starter Jpc1623
- Start date
Getting older here as well, hope I can transfer skills to grandson and have him help or do work I won't be able to 10-12 years from now. Not having vehicles with large and heavy wheels helps too.
That sucks. Hopefully you'll find a way to do "some" work since you find that satisfying. Still be safe, of course. Lots of 75 year olds here fall off a ladder cleaning the gutters, or have heart attacks clearing snow, since "they've always done it." Maybe get a spotter like your wife.
harbor
Site Donor 2025
Agree with all the lifestyle changes - yoga, Pilates, tai chi, PT, walking, weights, proper dieting, etc…
I’m 70ish and still wrenching on my fleet, although I’m now a little leery of crawling under cars on jacks or Rhino Ramps.
I’m 70ish and still wrenching on my fleet, although I’m now a little leery of crawling under cars on jacks or Rhino Ramps.
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2024
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Ramps make me a lot more comfortable than jacks - as long as they’re chocked properly… I’m a large guy, over 6’ and 310lbs, 55” chest, so there’s nothing smaller than a full size pickup that I can fit under without ramps. Saves the lower back not having to pump jacks and set jack stands too.
I'm 67.Tried doing my front break pads yesterday, I took the wheel off and saw I had at least 20k miles left. So I put the wheel back on….. then I couldn’t get up! Between bad shoulder, hand, back and knee I was stuck. My wife helped me and said maybe it’s time for someone to work on the car. Very depressing
I too am starting to feel your pain.
God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll be in the same boat as you all too soon.
Somehow, I came across an article a couple years ago from someone who was basically a quadriplegic. They were frequent fliers at the hospital with various infections/whatever. The article was about being "offended" about being pestered about NOT having an DNR order. They were content with life, and wanted to live more of it, thank you very much.
It was interesting. There's a number of people like that. I've always thought the same, take away my legs I'd rather be dead--let alone lose any more independence & capability. Interesting to read someone of a different take than mine.
My son is disabled. Bugs me that I can't send him out to change the oil in my car, let alone his. He's a bit autistic on top of that, so I'm not sure how much it bothers him--I think he rolls with it, but I wonder how much is below the surface. it sure lies below my surface.
With luck, it will come to all of us one day. I had many patients who were at least 95 years old, and perhaps a dozen who were over 100 years old. About half were males. And not one of them was still changing his own oil any more. But they were enjoying their lives.
One man who was well over 100 years old played cards with his daughter most days and cheated when he thought he could get away with it - leading to much merriment when he was caught.
Being a full-time caregiver for my folks for awhile, I found that having a Physical Therapist through home health care, made a big difference in their regaining and maintaining mobility. I'd suggest mentioning it to your GP, who can arrange physical therapy. In-home if the situation warrants it.
I'm 68 and still do a lot of my own wrenching. My secret is to have the proper tools that make the job easier. Work smarter not harder, as the saying goes. Example: doing a 5-tire rotation stresses my back. But a wheel and tire dolly makes it easier. Power tools also make short work (impact wrench, correct lighting, MityVac, torque wrench, a mini home lift, air compressor, welding torch, etc). Before I remove anything, I pre-order the parts needed. Very frustrating to having removed the part, only to find the replacement is the wrong item. A small footstool to sit down onto while doing tire and brakes is a big help. Also a good idea to scour the web for doing the job right, many times they give tips and shortcuts.
As someone who has been trying to gain my strength back, yoga has been very helpful.
Bought supplies from amazon (mat, 2 blocks, strap and a bolster) and a subscription to an online streaming service called yogaglo
The beginner classes do a lot of warm up exercises to wake up the joints (get ready to hear some cracking) and man does it ever feel good to move things around - when they haven't been moved in a long time.
I genuinely feel like a different person when doing it 30 mins a day.
This is the way. I am 51. I don't lift heavy anymore. Ever. Really light weights until failure. Research has shown you can grow your muscles and get stronger just as with heavy weights and fewer reps using super light weights and doing each set to failure. Same results, better for your joints, recovery, and no tears!
Or, buy a car with a topside filter…and never crawl under it again!
To the Op, sorry to hear about this for you. Take your time and work yourself back into the best shape you can.
Maybe your doctor can subscribe physical therapy for you so you can start on your way. Loss of mobility is a very big deal.
Also, the most dangerous thing I see regarding this is not the fact you could not get up, but you may not be able to control a fall.
A fall will hurt you far worse than trying to get up ever will.
PT to get your mobility back, and hopefully they can teach you the proper way to fall to lessen future injuries.
Maybe your doctor can subscribe physical therapy for you so you can start on your way. Loss of mobility is a very big deal.
Also, the most dangerous thing I see regarding this is not the fact you could not get up, but you may not be able to control a fall.
A fall will hurt you far worse than trying to get up ever will.
PT to get your mobility back, and hopefully they can teach you the proper way to fall to lessen future injuries.
It's all relative, for high level athletes, being the average able bodied person would take a bit to get used too.... It's probably a better life skill to learn to enjoy what you can do, and not compare so much and base your happiness on your relative abilities.
That said, its good to be active and as fit and able as you can be.
I was in a similar boat, and even sold my Jeep because I knew the engine swap would physically hurt. I just about gave up on car repairs. Instead, I reduced my cardio exercises and hit weights at the gym. After 6 months or so, I did the exhaust system on my daughters Camry with very little pain. Working under cars was exactly what I swore off of, but it went fine this time.
I am also eating more whole grains and fish, as well as cutting my coffee intake in half.
I am also eating more whole grains and fish, as well as cutting my coffee intake in half.
This is a great post here ^^^^^^^^
Guys… People can DIE from falls…
Or have such severe complications from one that they DIE.
i know this first hand from what i have seen. A man laying on the ground for over a day… Finally found and he died from complications of that fall.
People hitting their head and they are on anticoagulants… Severe bleeding in their skull. Die.
People braking their femur neck and it cut their femoral artery… Die extremely fast.
Typically it is another factor that causes the fall… low blood pressure, low blood glucose, sepsis from urinary or respiratory infection, cardiac problems etc etc…
Just take care of yourselves and be aware and get home pulse oximeter, blood pressure cuff… And if you are diabetic.. STAY on top of it… Have your routine primary care physician visits…
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I was weed eating with my Ego 56v and when I finished, my right bicep was trying to contract afterwards. The cause? Not having a shoulder support 
So I'm ordering one today and taking a couple days off from the gym. Old age doesn't care,it effects everything.
So I'm ordering one today and taking a couple days off from the gym. Old age doesn't care,it effects everything.
