I’ve tried desperately to get my 80-year-old sister to work out. I have managed to get us both into an elder-care workout class twice a week. But my sister barely moves.
Also, she has been taking a variety of medications for years which cause or exacerbate mental decline. I can’t get her to stop taking them and her doctor, who is also my doctor, won’t even speak to me about her. She lies to him.
It’s one of those, you-can-take-a-horse-water things. Very frustrating as I watch her decline.
I am saddened to hear that.
Thankfully, you can still lead by example and have your faculties about you.
I have siblings, too, and sometimes there are just things we are too close to, to influence.
I am glad you try to help her and keep on trying, as is practical.
“I’ve tried desperately to get my 80-year-old sister to work out.”
I had an aunt we called, “Aunt Church Lady” (not to her face) because she’s the twin to Dana Carvy’s SNL Character.
SO sanctimonious. Did her workout videos, walked every day, ate “right”, and kept a rigid schedule for all of that — and was mouthy about her own wonderfulness. She daily disparaged her older sister, my mom, because she did none of those things. It almost was to the point of verbal abuse. (Did I mention sanctimonious?)
She died of a stroke when she was 90, her mind sharp as a tack. Mom turns 99 next month, her mind also as sharp as a tack. They were one year apart in age. They led similar lives: Both were preachers’ wives, both had five children, both had a quirky sense of humor. Both were musicians.
The difference was ACL’s rigidness re health routine (did I mention SANCTIMONIOUS?), and Mom’s carefree, easy-come easy-go, outlook.
So many studies. So much scientific information. In many ways (not all) in the end, it seems like a crap shoot when it comes to health, life, and death. God’s will.