It’s been nearly 11 months since my last blog post, towards the end of January 2024.

I had meant to post more frequently than this, but the past year has been a very sleepy one for me and I haven’t had energy for much other than the basic necessities of life.

At 95, I’m interested in how I’m ageing, and in recent months I’ve noticed that my ability to concentrate has diminished. This is evident in how I follow (or fail to follow) conversations, the almost immediate forgetting of something I’ve just been told, and being unable to process information transmitted to me in television programmes or through the written word. The term I often use to describe myself is ‘confused’.

I see all of this is as a natural progression into old age and I’m not overly concerned about it, although I would quite like to feel more engaged with what’s going on around me at times. However, one of the great benefits of this way of life is that I find it very easy to switch off, and I get a lot of sleep, which is something I enjoy.

In the first half of 2024 I had several falls. I’m glad to say they all happened in the house, and none of them resulted in serious injury, but they did knock my confidence in walking. I underwent physiotherapy treatment, which focussed on improving my strength, balance and confidence, and that led to the purchase of a piece of equipment that has made a big difference to my life.

In September, after trying out something similar supplied by my local hospital, I purchased a 4-wheeled walking frame (also known as a rollator) from a specialist shop Dundee.

I’ve been using it every day since then, both indoors and outside, and the physiotherapist has discharged me with a clean bill of health.

We’re fortunate to have a car with a spacious, flat-level entry boot, which the rollator slides in and out of easily. The rollator also folds up nicely so that when I’m in a restaurant or other place with limited space, it can be tucked out of the way.

As well as keeping me stable when walking, it provides a comfortable seat if I need a little rest.

As well as this excellent new piece of equipment, I now have a blue disabled badge, which allows anyone driving me to park in a variety of places for free. Lorna gains considerable pleasure from parking in disabled spaces when she’s taking me out, and I must say it is very helpful to be close to the entrances of shops and restaurants, and to have the extra space marked out around the car in disabled parking spaces.

As we approach the end of 2024, I’m hopeful that 2025 will bring new rollator adventures, and possibly even a little extra energy for some of the things I’d still like to achieve.

Comments are closed on this post but if you wish to contact me you can email me on bennet@sent.com.