[RiverRat68]

I thought it might be worthwhile to have a SENIORS THREAD/STICKY so that we senior shooters, hunters and gun enthusists can toss back and forth any limitations they have because of age, and the way they overcome them. Such as Arthritis in the hands(Trigger Control), Essential Tremors (Sight Picture), and Mobility, just to name a few. I have was diagnosed with Parkinson's Diasese last summer, and have made some minor changes as to what I do now at the gun club. I'm open to any and all suggestions.

 

[havasu]

On other forums we've worked on, many handicapped/disabled folks have had special needs, and they were handled on a case by case basis. We here are to serve the members, so if there is a need and a desire, it will be in here. Once the doors open up, please feel free to PM any of us and we will see what we can do for you.

 

[jerrysriggs]

Understand where you are coming from. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid authorities at the age of 22, a family trait, exacerbated by calcification of the joints brought on by electrocution. Some days are worse than others, but I keep plugging along. I don't shoot my 44 or 45 as much as I would like. I stepped down to a 9mm and 22 for the bad days.

 

[FrogSwatter]

Yep, it sucks getting old. My family doctor finally talked me into medical retirement in July 2008. Within 5 months of that the VA had bumped me from 30% to 100% Total and Permanent. I'm on a mobility scooter about 85% of the time. Talking to a local trainer just to get some ideas for scoot-n-gun instead of run-n-gun.

 

[dunk50]

I say go for it. I am 66 years old and feel I am in pretty good shape for my age and past active lifestyle. I have some issues like arthritis, slight trembles and weak arms. Weak arms are from just getting old. I do exercise and have therapy but I still can't shoot for long without taking a break. My biggest issue is bi-focals and site picture. Still working on that one.

 

[FrogSwatter]

Sight picture seems to be giving me a little problem too. In fact, my wife just reminded me I have an appointment with the VA eye doctor in the morning. I might see what he has to say.

 

[threetango]

68, shot twice, blown up once, beat cancer and drag racing my Shelby GT500 every chance I get and have a positive attitude.
Went to the AK w/30 rd mag. for primary defensive weapon, don't really need a sight picture.

 

[greyhawk50]

Turn 66 in March and have a lifetime of hard miles, (some work related and some self inflicted) I feel your pain. The list of ailments is too long to cover.
But, "it is what it is" and we are given one day at a time by which we make the best of each day. Really, I'm not in bad shape for the shape I'm in.
Seems as though I've lost the desire to kill things. Could be my age, a lack of motivation or could be a lack of ability (maybe I have Low T ). However, I still enjoy time at the range punching holes in paper and most recently have taken a liking to Sporting Clays. I have a history of Trap Shooting.
I have the early stages of Macular Degeneration, I wear Bifocals and have an astigmatism in my shooting eye. I am totally unable to see iron sights on a rifle and cross hairs in a scope look like ~~ earth worms. So I have changed to Holographic Reflex Sights or Red Dot Sights. When I shoot a pistol, I shoot right handed and focus on the iron sights with my left eye. Works OK if I take my prescription glasses off and limit the range to 50 yards. (near sighted) Also practicing point and shoot technique with my pistols.
I have gravitated towards shot guns and shooting Clays because I shoot with both eyes on the target and the barrel is seen in my peripheral vision. The only problem with that is I seem to be missing more of the distant targets. Could be that the distorted picture makes the bird appear slightly different than where it actually is.
In any case, I've pretty much abandoned hunting and focused more on enjoying time at the range. Life is still good.

 

[wingspar]

At 66 I’ve led a pretty healthy life working in the woods for 31 years. Retired for 7 years now. I’ve had back problems that can be difficult to work with at times, and no problems at other times as long as I don’t do something stupid. Had muscle spasms in my neck from riding motorcycles without a windshield back in 1984, but started riding with a windshield and never had any problems with them again till I shot a shotgun for the first time in my life a couple of years ago. Remington 870 Wingmaster I picked up used for $300. Light target loads for most people, but it sent me to the Dr. After just 5 shells. After a few hundred dollars worth of tests at the Dr. Office and the hospital, I found out that the 12 gauge had inflamed the arthritis I didn’t know I had in my neck after 28 years, so I tried lots of things, including recoil pads and padded vest. Only thing that worked was light loads, which are hard to find, so I don’t shoot it much. Had my first ever time in the hospital in my life, other than for tests and visiting people just last week. Minor surgery that will keep off the range for a while. Gettin old ain’t for sissies.

 

[Heater]

Turning 61 shortly, and the most recent sign of decline was the appearance of "floaters" in my right (and dominant) eye. Eye doc says, "Your brain will get used to them" but it is quite disconcerting when the stuff gets moving around in my vision. Bi-focals were bad enough for shooting. Arthritis in my hands is being countered with regular guitar practice to keep things limber, but the arthritis in the hips and a knee that likes to just give out without warning every so often make the old days of backpacking and mountain biking a happy memory.

On the plus side, lost 20 lbs. without any thought when I joined my wife's new diet when she had sudden onset of serious food allergies and sensitivities. Didn't think it made sense to have separate meals. No refined sugars, no dairy, no wheat, no processed starches or heavy starch vegetables (potatoes!), but meat and most veggies and fruit okay! So lots of high protein smoothies, bacon and eggs, steak/chicken/pork and salads, roast squash and carrots, etc. -- everything is feeling better.

 

[wingspar]

Turning 61 shortly, and the most recent sign of decline was the appearance of "floaters" in my right (and dominant) eye. Eye doc says, "Your brain will get used to them" but it is quite disconcerting when the stuff gets moving around in my vision.

My other half is 67 and gets those floaters in her eyes. Sometimes I forget, and wonder why it’s taking so dang long for her to pull the trigger when we are out target shooting. Sometimes she just has to put the gun down for a few moments to clear the floaters. I think she’s dealt with them for years, and I think it came from a car accident back in her 30's. Won NRA competitions in high school, and is still a better shooter than I am.

 

[FrogSwatter]

Eye appointment update: Turns out my VA eye doctor is a shooter too. My question to him concerned sight picture for open sights. I need glasses for reading but can't see far away with them on. If I shoot with my reading glasses on, I can focus pretty good on the rear and front sights but the target turns into a blob. This happens with long and hand guns. Note: I normally wind up shooting with just my safety glasses on, not my reading glasses. This leaves the sights fuzzy but I can see what I'm throwing a bullet at.

His answer to me was, put a scope on it. Anytime I am target shooting or hunting, scope it. He said this is the #1 problem for shooters, as far as changing eyesight. Plinking is just that and who cares if you miss a can by a little bit. For targets and killing, you want to have the best vision on sight and target, and for that, it will take a scope. He said there are some doctors that might recommend a lens surgically implanted but there have been mixed results from those types of things.

My entire life, I have only shot two rifles and zero hand guns with a scope. Looks like that might be changing soon.

 

[Heater]

My other half is 67 and gets those floaters in her eyes. Sometimes I forget, and wonder why it’s taking so dang long for her to pull the trigger when we are out target shooting. Sometimes she just has to put the gun down for a few moments to clear the floaters. I think she’s dealt with them for years, and I think it came from a car accident back in her 30's. Won NRA competitions in high school, and is still a better shooter than I am.

Floaters is at least less nasty sounding than the actual technical term for stuff starting to separate from your retina in bits and pieces. The pamphlet he gave me listed a number of things that make a person more susceptible, a primary one being near-sightedness, which is me.

FrogSwatter -- when comparing eyeglass issues with my older brother, who puts in a lot more range time than I do, he said he turned down the no-line continuous range lenses like I have and just kept to old-school bifocals. He told the eye doc that he just wanted near and far focal ranges in his glasses. When the doc asked why, my brother aligned his hand (thrust forward in the classic pistol shape) with his eye, and the doc got the point.

Of course, I also think my brother saw no need to pay more for the fancy lenses with money that could be better spent on ammo.

 

[hombre243]

Diopter

Eye appointment update: Turns out my VA eye doctor is a shooter too. My question to him concerned sight picture for open sights. I need glasses for reading but can't see far away with them on. If I shoot with my reading glasses on, I can focus pretty good on the rear and front sights but the target turns into a blob. This happens with long and hand guns. Note: I normally wind up shooting with just my safety glasses on, not my reading glasses. This leaves the sights fuzzy but I can see what I'm throwing a bullet at.

His answer to me was, put a scope on it. Anytime I am target shooting or hunting, scope it. He said this is the #1 problem for shooters, as far as changing eyesight. Plinking is just that and who cares if you miss a can by a little bit. For targets and killing, you want to have the best vision on sight and target, and for that, it will take a scope. He said there are some doctors that might recommend a lens surgically implanted but there have been mixed results from those types of things.

My entire life, I have only shot two rifles and zero hand guns with a scope. Looks like that might be changing soon.

I wish I could remember the name of the place where I got my diopter. It has a rubber suction cup to stick it on my glasses. Easy on and easy off. Lyman makes a less expensive version for around 20 bucks. The one I have is micro-adjustable but that is not the Lyman. I will see if I can find the name. Seems like it is Malek or something like that.

It adjusts so your eye can focus better. Basically it is an adjustable peep.


I found a link for Merit Diopters
http://www.meritcorporation.com/products.html

 

[refugee]

turn 63 in march-arthur has crept into my knees and hands. i refuse to stop and -- look foreward to 65 and retirement. at that point i can ride my electraglide to the range more often, and reload at a slower pace. will work very hard at my hobies, or should i say my passions. i once heard someone say "everything i like is either illegal, immoral, or fatening. not too far off base for me i think.

 

[Popeye]

66 and been retired 9+ years. I'm not to bad a shape for what some might consider and old guy. Certainly have my aches and pains. Eyes aren't quite what they used to be, hands are a little beat up from 40 + years in the construction industry and some pretty lively younger years. I've had prostate cancer ,kidney stones and a few broken limbs. I do try to take care of myself physically and do try to exersize and walk every morning at a pretty brisk pace. I gave up the smokin and drinkin years back because I also own a Harley and figure if I take care of myself and watch what and how much I eat the longer I'll be able to ride. I still love doing road trips and have seen quite a bit of this country on a motorcycle. To me 66 is just a number and has nothing to do with how I should feel or act. I just try to take these days as they come and be thankful I'm still here to enjoy them.

 

[FrogSwatter]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna check into a diopter and see what happens.

 

[BReeves]

Just turned 68 last month, hard to believe I'm only two years away from 70. So far so good, I'm (knock on wood) still in pretty good shape but need to quit smoking. Have the floaters in right eye and a few joints that bother me from time to time but everyday I'm thankful I'm still on the top side of the grass.

Don't have allot to add that hasn't already been covered, getting old really does suck. I'm surely not a poster child for longevity. I still smoke a pack a day, don't get allot of exercise and eat what I want. Was blessed with a metabolism that has kept me the same weight (150) I was when I was 16. A dear friend of mine says he lives to eat and I eat to live, we are the same height and he out weighs me by about 100 pounds.

 

[kde71450]

This thread works for me. 62, but JUST started shooting. Kinda like that old dog that needs to learn new tricks ! on the range with my pistol (SR40C) I'm just ok (It's a grip and trigger pull issue i need to work on) but that's with my glasses and shooting from 7 feet to 15 feet away. A friend took to his range an i shot is rifle at a target about 75 yards away. With glasses i was asking "WHAT TARGET?" Being far sighted, i could make out the target as a blur W/o glasses (Actually hit it 4X with one near bulls eye, so I patted myself on shoulder) I might not be as good as I once was... practice only makes you better. In a real life situation I better put my big boy pants on. when the SHTF no matter what age you better be ready.

 

[pokerace]

Sight picture seems to be giving me a little problem too. In fact, my wife just reminded me I have an appointment with the VA eye doctor in the morning. I might see what he has to say.

I had to start using a Crimson Trace laser grips and other CT lasers.

they do work for me.