2 deaths in one county.

oldballs · May 19, 2010

Well, a 34 year old contract worker flipped his mower into a creek here last week. He drowned before the EMT could get the mower off him. Some of the age related activities are definitely related to the individual capacity. From what I've seen, at 77, I can outwork a lot of 40 year olds. But I surely wouldn't want to put others at risk of what I do. For every 80-90 year person's accident, there are probably 10 times the number of drunk..or stupid...or lazy...or drugged... or just plain irresponsible who cause accidents. So go focus on somebody else! And yeah, when I go, let it be doing something other than sitting/laying around.

crusty 1 · May 19, 2010

I think this makes #3 or so now I,ll be 61 my dad is still going strong in his middle upper 80s and I,d stand back if you told him he had to stop doing something he wanted to do.All of us age differently so it must be a person by person call.I,v seen guy,s in there 20s I wouldn,t want to be around using tractors etc too so like I say each man must be judged on their own.:thumbsup

ave

Wacky · May 19, 2010

oldballs said:
Some of the age related activities are definitely related to the individual capacity. I can outwork a lot of 40 year olds. But I surely wouldn't want to put others at risk of what I do. For every 80-90 year person's accident, there are probably 10 times the number of drunk..or stupid...or lazy...or drugged... or just plain irresponsible who cause accidents. So go focus on somebody else! And yeah, when I go, let it be doing something other than sitting/laying around.

Couldn't have said it better myself:drink:.....Although I do try to tell my wife that I am getting too old to weedeat steep hillsides at 38.....she don't care.

She says were only 5 mins from the hospital what more do I want??:laughing::laughing:

lostcause · May 23, 2010

i actually live i the same county as both of those who died in the accidents. i also have a relative living next door who will be 88 this year and still drives a car and mows the lawn (well, most of it). i think it's a good testament to the local lifestyle. how many people that age are still doing these things? not to mention that being able to do these things helps them get through the day. living in a rural area, most people have lived their lives doing these sort of things. take them away, and you may be taking away all that they have left.

sure, you've lost some reaction time at that age, but probably gained wisdom. there are a lot more accidents caused by poor judgement than loss of motor skills. i'll change my opinion when i see the news story about the 90 year old who got in a car accident while texting.

wampum · May 23, 2010

I am pretty sure here in PA. that after a certain age,you have to get checked to be allowed to drive. I hate any kind of government butting in. But when it comes to safety on the highway,I have little problem with it. If you are found to be unsafe on the road,I guess you should step up to the plate and hire your Grandchild to do it. That's a hard call though,because no one likes to admit they have lost a little ground.

Pops15 · May 23, 2010

I agree with Lostcause and Oldballs. Getting out and doing something productive is beneficial for the older folks ( or people of any age for that matter). I have a friend who's Grandfather-in-law at age 97 still mows his lawn with a riding mower. The old guy goes bowling several times a week too! I say more power to him, and those like him! Beats the heck out of sitting around. I realize there comes a time when we can't do what we used to. Some can figure it out themselves while others need encouragement from family. We recently went through this with my FIL. He was about to buy a new riding mower. He's still perfectly capable of operating a rider but his kids convinced him it was time to turn the mowing over to someone else because they were worried he'd fall while getting on or off the tractor.
The last thing we need is more government intrusion into our lives. Leave it up to individuals and their families to decide when it's time to hang it up.

IslandTractor · May 23, 2010

Pops15 said:
I agree with Lostcause and Oddballs. .

It is good thing that these guys don't get their names mixed up in a genetic reassortment. Oddcause and Lostballs anyone?

(actually the OP was oldballs though)

NorTracNY · May 25, 2010

I wish people would understand that without living you might as well be dead. If you want to do an activity that won't affect others, then you should be able to. I have a grandfather in his 90s. He's living! I don't care how he dies, I'm just happy he's living now. I was actually saddened a little when he told me last year that he's probably only going to farm another 10 years. He's got a knee that's bothering him.

IslandTractor · May 25, 2010

NorTracNY said:
I have a grandfather in his 90s. He's living! I don't care how he dies, I'm just happy he's living now..

I appreciate the basic thought here but it's hard to imagine you don't care how he dies. Choose one: A) At home, in his bed or perhaps some variation involving a quick fatal stroke or MI. Or B) Slowly and painfully suffocating alone in a field/ditch/whatever pinned under a **** lawnmower.

I'm pretty sure everyone would choose A so the issue is how to minimize the chances of B occurring without being overprotective "nannies".

lostcause · May 25, 2010

IslandTractor said:
I appreciate the basic thought here but it's hard to imagine you don't care how he dies. Choose one: A) At home, in his bed or perhaps some variation involving a quick fatal stroke or MI. Or B) Slowly and painfully suffocating alone in a field/ditch/whatever pinned under a **** lawnmower.

I'm pretty sure everyone would choose A so the issue is how to minimize the chances of B occurring without being overprotective "nannies".

i lost a grandfather 16 years ago, and i remember in the last couple years the thing that frustrated him the most was that he couldn't do what he used to do in the field and in the shop. he tried going to florida a few times in the winters, but didn't like it, cause there were too many "old people" there. i think having to stay in the house and not being active was suffocating him more than being pinned under a tractor would have been.

some people work all their lives so they can sit back and relax in their twilight years. others work all their lives so they can work for the rest of their lives. guess you have to be like them to understand it.