As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become really aware of my body and how it is slowly deteriorating. At the moment I’m at work and my eyes are puffy from sleeping the night before. We’re six hours into the day and I feel like I haven’t even woken up yet. My head is pounding. It’s hard for me to concentrate and I just want more than anything to be tucked up in bed asleep.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because as my mind and body starts to slow down (I’m sixty-four, almost retirement age), I have had to start thinking about what my future is going to look like and how I’m going to look after myself. I’d rather make these decisions now than in five years time when it’s more difficult for me to do so. I’ve been looking into getting bathtub modifications for seniors in my home. I always thought these things looked tacky but now that I’m getting older, I can foresee that the necessary step over the bathtub will be an issue for me in the future.
As I daydream at my desk about retirement and all the necessary modifications that I’ll need to make for my lifestyle, I’m filled with a sense of calm and happiness. I’m no longer scared of getting older or of dying. I used to find the concept terrifying because I just love life so much. But now it feels like the natural progression of life and I’m happy about it.
When I get my bathtub modifications in the next few months, I am going to encourage my friends and family to also consider getting bathtub conversions. In the Sydney CBD, it’s pretty normal for bathrooms to be designed for young people, with not many homeowners or builders giving any forethought about what people’s bathroom needs will be in the future. I guess we humans are just a bit short-sighted when it comes to our future.