Senior Living: Don’t take risks on treacherous roads

When calculating risk, we rarely rely on rational calculations; instead, we are influenced by our emotional perceptions, the context of the situation, and personal experience. That is called our perception of risk. This can cause us to overreact to risks that trigger our emotions and underreact to those that do not.

Then there is actual risk. It is more objective and quantifiable, such as the likelihood and severity of the consequences of taking that risk.

You may not be surprised, but our perceived risk is not always in line with the actual risk. For example, I feel much safer driving than flying. While driving, I feel I have greater control. And flying? Who can forget all the catastrophic aircraft incidents we’ve heard about? However, as you may know, flying is statistically far safer than driving. The greater risk is driving to the airport!

One risk most of us are familiar with is the risk of falling which I experienced recently. I imagine there are very few of you who haven’t fallen at least once in the last ten years. One reason older adults fall more often is we frequently overestimate our physical ability and take unnecessary risks when moving about.

Personally, I am careful climbing up and down stairs, but I never worry about just walking from one place to another. The perceived risk is low. But then I fell. And now that I have experienced the actual risk, I am always careful, particularly when walking along uneven sidewalks. And I imagine one of these days, to feel safe, I’ll be walking with a trusted cane like a posh British gent.

When assessing our risk, we should realistically appraise our physical abilities, both our strengths and weaknesses, to avoid unnecessary risks with serious consequences. We may be wiser, but we are no longer that spry twenty-something!

But to live a full and rewarding life, we need to take risks. The right to take reasonable risks is essential for maintaining our dignity and self-esteem. And although they want the best for you, don’t always listen to your overly cautious and protective adult children. Be adventurous — but also smart!

•••

Brain Tease: I can spend an hour trying to solve a Logic Puzzle and not even get close to finding the answer. But surprisingly, I did solve this one — after missing lunch! So if you have a fondness for challenging and frustrating puzzles, try this one.

“During the latest round of the BrainBashers school triathlon, the final results were mislaid; however, this is what we do know.”

“Hayden was fourth. Alex was not the oldest but was older than Drew, who was not second. The child who was next in age to the youngest finished second. The child who finished in third place was older than the child who finished first. Billie was younger than the child who finished in third place. Can you determine who finished where and place the children in order of age?”

•••

The Spanish Western television series, produced by Walt Disney Productions, that told the story of the mild-mannered intellectual Don Diego Vega whose secret identity was a dashing masked crusader dressed all in black was Zorro. I received correct answers from Ron Nelson, Judy Kiser, Doug Nelson, Donna Mollet, Eva Summers, Dave Lutgens, Tom Schaefer, Lana Tepfer, Rebecca Abrams, Stephen Woolpert, Carol Stace, and Mike “Bernardo” Nichols who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

Last week, while feeding my Pet Rock and watering my Chia Pet, I missed Kim Birge, Rebecca Abrams, Lana Tepfer, and Patty Jo McCarthy.

•••

Their first hit single, a rendition of Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield’s “Love Will Keep Us Together,” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart nine weeks after its 1975 debut, and went on to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the singing duo that recorded this song? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-980-4645, or send it with a picture of them touring with the Beach Boys in the 1970s.

•••

Well, it’s been another week, trying to lower the bar to help others over. Until we meet again, don’t let the gravy drown the mashed potatoes.

•••

“I make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes.”

— Sara Teasdale

•••

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) — Wednesdays with music on second and fourth Wednesdays; Mt. Hood Town Hall (541-308-5997) — Tuesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services: Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068), and in Skamania County call Senior Services (509-427-3990).