Elder Sims
Is there any chance the behavior of elder Sims could be changed? Pretty much they are always popping at the joint and seem to be showing signs of dementia. I mean, if they are in their last Sims days...
Forum Discussion
Eh, when noting the "typical elder" traits, I just threw that in there as a possible replacement to them always cracking at the hip/back and doing that "dementia" action. I have no idea about discounts when they buy things... I never noticed anything like that.
Yeah, I mentioned the cane concept because I've seen old school Simmers talk about missing that option from the previous Sims Versions. In turn, I figure add in a walker, since it doesn't seem too far different from the cane.
The mention of a retirement/nursing home, wasn't a suggestion for EA to make one, but was in note to things I've seen some people who are interested in such a thing mention. I believe there already exists a mod so that a Sim can work at such a place and merely thought if elder Sims got an extra trait or sub-trait, it would make them more interesting elders to work with.
My elder Sim is actually based on a person I know in real life, which may be the real kicker. I find it a bit amusing that to make your Sim seems more elderly deals with gardening and reading. As said, this Sim is based on someone I know and she gardened a ton when younger and still gardens to this day. Gardening is actually hard shizz. It can even be hard in the Sims when you have the Freelance Botonist aspiration. So freaking needy, those plants are... and unless you have help they can take half the day away watering, fertilizing, weeding and spraying them for bugs.
Actually, I'm not trying to say the elder Sims act way too elderly, but they seem to be stuck in a very limited, cookie cutter animation loop.
If a Sim has the active trait, they will continue to desire being active and get energy spikes at times, so when they are elders, why not tone down exercise choices... like "go for a jog" could be changed to "go for a walk". High endurance things on workout machines will no longer be options for them. Though, if someone wants to kill their Elder Sim via exhaustion and muscle pain, they would just have to make their Sim "push the limits" two more times - kind of like the whoo-hoo death.
The other "traits" I had listed were actually semi-jokes. Rather than have your Sim cracking at a joint or suddenly look lost and speak to no one out of the blue, how about making them hard of hearing, so they misunderstand what another Sim said to them? Or make them blind as a bat so that rather than suddenly clutching their hip/back they are instead trying their hardest to read a sign? 'Just more options outside of the two animations that make them seem elderly - hence the "Pop like Popcorn" for the suddenly pop and clutching their side/back and "Lost Time" for when they do that whole dementia-like action for those who want their Sims to have those habits. The "Fearless Flatulence" was a definite joke, inspired by the goofball trait, but I wasn't particularly serious about it.
Yeah, though... I was totally serious about the "Champion Complainer" and the "Like Age Wine" suggestions just like I was about the canes and walkers, though. I would totally dig a grumpy elder and could see other Sims talking to him/her/whatever either becoming bored as heck by the complaining, inspired or energized by an amazing story of the past and whatnot. Then a wise elder Sim... that is how I think of the person my elder Sim was based on. They would be the one Sims would actually care to get advice from, would have an extremely high chance of being cheered up by in a thoughtful way and such.
There, we are equally long-winded. :D
oh, the discounts thing is something *i* would like, as it'd be fair if retired folks got them, in return for working for most their lives. 😉 it wouldn't be a bad idea... or *i* wouldn't dismiss it. since this is feedback, who knows!
and maybe... the joint-cracking would be OK for Sims *without* the active trait and with low fitness skill? a walker would be good, too. BTW, i know i'd also use that for younger Sims. so it definitely *doesn't* mean that elders are decrepit... it could happen to anyone.
i *do* agree with the extra trait, like you mentioned, "wise" or "grumpy", for example! it would be good to have more variety. i mean, just because i (i'm just *one* person!) don't see the elders... well, being "caricatures"... doesn't mean i don't want any of this. quite the opposite, i'm all for this, because i know your suggestions would make the game more interesting. *sigh* many people don't play with elders because "they're boring".
here i go on "the long-winded road" (ahaha!) again:
my Sim i mentioned gardens (i do know it's not as easy as some people think) and reads more now, because she didn't have a lot of time to pursue those hobbies (she already *had*) as a younger woman.
it has nothing to do with her being older now. BTW, Gardening is almost at level 10, IIRC. 🙂
so i wanted to say that i didn't mean for it to sound "amusing", and definitely not as a way to make her "be" older: it's because in my story, she was (well, she hasn't quite retired yet) the sole manager of an inn, so... she was busy all the time. 🙂
now, she can paint, too, because two of my other Sims are assistant managers--the story says that she's teaching them everything because *they'll* take over when she decides to retire for good, and will inherit the place way later. (yes, i love storytelling!)
i'm saying all of this because, since i didn't want to write you a book, i left out lots (and lots) of details. so i don't want you to assume anything (because you *didn't* know the whys, of course) based on my... you know. "abridged" version of a post. :P
so back on-topic (sorry about the detours!) it's not like i disagree! i *want* elders to have more variety, too. i'm repeating myself (sorry) in saying that i don't see any of the behaviour you explained above, but it certainly doesn't mean i don't want their personalities to be expanded and feel more unique! i like my Sims to be as unique as possible.
also i just remembered something i wanted to say... i'm someone who isn't looking to kill elders!
and... seriously, the traits you mentioned *were* good ideas. they *would* add variety/animations to the game. it's, IMO, a very good suggestion... helps towards the "elders not being stereotypes" thing. 🙂 i think this thread is becoming more and more interesting as feedback!
(a quick BTW... even if you didn't mean it, i laughed, because i've been around adults already working to get the "Fearless Flatulence" trait... so, imagine when they get to elders.) XD
again again, i would love "grumpy" and "wise"--you know how there's often this misconception of elder people being dismissed as being... well, you know. just... "old"? and people forget that older folks obviously have years of experience and knowledge. of course there are different kinds of people, i mean... i doubt evil elders would agree (LOL)---but a wise/kind/advice-giving elder personality? count me in.
so anyway, i really like this conversation... and i have to say it again... just because i haven't seen any of the "weird" animation things, it doesn't mean that i don't want any of this we talked about... *anything* that adds variety to the game is very, very welcome! Sims should be treated equally, whatever their age! <3
(also: the more i typed it, the more uncomfortable i got with comparing their behaviour to "dementia". i don't want to sound like i'm being insensitive, so i apologise if i ever did.)
and maybe... the joint-cracking would be OK for Sims *without* the active trait and with low fitness skill? a walker would be good, too. BTW, i know i'd also use that for younger Sims. so it definitely *doesn't* mean that elders are decrepit... it could happen to anyone.
i *do* agree with the extra trait, like you mentioned, "wise" or "grumpy", for example! it would be good to have more variety. i mean, just because i (i'm just *one* person!) don't see the elders... well, being "caricatures"... doesn't mean i don't want any of this. quite the opposite, i'm all for this, because i know your suggestions would make the game more interesting. *sigh* many people don't play with elders because "they're boring".
here i go on "the long-winded road" (ahaha!) again:
my Sim i mentioned gardens (i do know it's not as easy as some people think) and reads more now, because she didn't have a lot of time to pursue those hobbies (she already *had*) as a younger woman.
it has nothing to do with her being older now. BTW, Gardening is almost at level 10, IIRC. 🙂
so i wanted to say that i didn't mean for it to sound "amusing", and definitely not as a way to make her "be" older: it's because in my story, she was (well, she hasn't quite retired yet) the sole manager of an inn, so... she was busy all the time. 🙂
now, she can paint, too, because two of my other Sims are assistant managers--the story says that she's teaching them everything because *they'll* take over when she decides to retire for good, and will inherit the place way later. (yes, i love storytelling!)
i'm saying all of this because, since i didn't want to write you a book, i left out lots (and lots) of details. so i don't want you to assume anything (because you *didn't* know the whys, of course) based on my... you know. "abridged" version of a post. :P
so back on-topic (sorry about the detours!) it's not like i disagree! i *want* elders to have more variety, too. i'm repeating myself (sorry) in saying that i don't see any of the behaviour you explained above, but it certainly doesn't mean i don't want their personalities to be expanded and feel more unique! i like my Sims to be as unique as possible.
also i just remembered something i wanted to say... i'm someone who isn't looking to kill elders!
and... seriously, the traits you mentioned *were* good ideas. they *would* add variety/animations to the game. it's, IMO, a very good suggestion... helps towards the "elders not being stereotypes" thing. 🙂 i think this thread is becoming more and more interesting as feedback!
(a quick BTW... even if you didn't mean it, i laughed, because i've been around adults already working to get the "Fearless Flatulence" trait... so, imagine when they get to elders.) XD
again again, i would love "grumpy" and "wise"--you know how there's often this misconception of elder people being dismissed as being... well, you know. just... "old"? and people forget that older folks obviously have years of experience and knowledge. of course there are different kinds of people, i mean... i doubt evil elders would agree (LOL)---but a wise/kind/advice-giving elder personality? count me in.
so anyway, i really like this conversation... and i have to say it again... just because i haven't seen any of the "weird" animation things, it doesn't mean that i don't want any of this we talked about... *anything* that adds variety to the game is very, very welcome! Sims should be treated equally, whatever their age! <3
(also: the more i typed it, the more uncomfortable i got with comparing their behaviour to "dementia". i don't want to sound like i'm being insensitive, so i apologise if i ever did.)
unseenlarks,
Ah, understood. (Regarding your personal story.) I think I got passionate about the gardening because now that the person I've based my elder Sim off of is an elder by age standard, I get to help in the grunt work of her gardening. Give me the hedge clippers... I get to hack all the unwanted tree limbs (and there are a lot of trees) and prune all the plants that have grown quite tall, gather them all up and pile them. Stepping in stray animal *, getting dirt and fallen tree debris shower all over me and gaining "battle scars" from the thorny suckers are the perks. Relocating heavy potted plants when the weather changes is a blast, too. The thorns always get me then. Eh, the things you do for those one loves. :}
Yeah, I can definitely see canes and walkers being for anyone, but I only put in ideas on a limited level since the Sims is fairly limited despite the great progress it has made over the years. Ah, AI... so dang complex. Until then, however... if there were at least canes and walkers available, those who have the time could likely make mods that make them available to all Sims that are big enough to use the set size for a cane or walker. I would have also thrown in a wheelchair suggestion as I have seen a decent amount of Simmers request mods for that or at the very least a set up with chairs converted to look like wheelchairs so they can make snapshots of their Sims as their characters should be.I guess I just see the Sims elders as a bit flat because as mentioned in previous posts, I spent a good amount of time with RL elders... I even live in a retirement town. Elders can be cool as heck, especially when they have stories to tell.
That kill elder, thing... I wasn't implying you wished to, I just know there are Simmers who like to off their Sims or NPCs in the game for kicks.
'Sorry if the dementia comment has made you uncomfortable. It is a fairly common term for me, since a late relative of mine actually had it... and then there is a friend who had a late relative who had Alzheimer's. Thus, the action I speak of seeing being present in all the Sim Elders action loops whether they are part of my Sims Family or just a NPC... I find that pretty insulting. When I see the action, it just takes me back to my family member who had dementia. It just feels like a huge stereotype of all elders having weaker, forgetful minds because they are old. Here is the action: at 1:57 and 2:24 They do that often when there is no one around as though they are talking to thin air.
I dunno, maybe I am just somehow "lucky" and my Sims keep winding up in places where they are near an elder Sim and that animation decides to take action. I mean, the last game I played with one of my Sim families, they went on a romantic date so one could propose to the other and as I was working on getting them in a romantic mood, the elderly bartender gets off shift and right as she is outside the bar she does that. There is no one near, she looks around lost, asks some sort of confused question to thin air, sighs and plops into a wilted position. WTF?- hi @Player_jp5s5eav,
i can understand that, and agree gardening is... well, *exercise*! 🙂
you're right about the game's limitations. i talked about this with someone else, although it wasn't so complex. it was about the curly hair and how i was annoyed there was none like it before. this person said the developers are able to create more and better content as they learn along the way... i argued, "if modders can do it, why can't a dedicated professional team do it?" 😉
you know... i want a wheelchair too. *and* a white cane and a hearing aid. also: bandages, casts, arm slings, burn and scar marks... the works. i've also been told injuries or obvious "disabilities" are too "dark" for a game that is supposedly made for... teenagers.
so i agree that elders are more than what you told me you see in-game. i do want all of the things you mentioned. i'd want to see them do more stuff. while i love that my one of my Sims meets a close friend (who happens to be an elder) at the pub every day, i'm pretty sure he wants to do more than that. (there's also the question... why does my Sim go to the pub every day?)
in my story, they sit at the park together to share snacks and feed birds. it's not an "elder" thing to me; in fact, my adult Sim does it on her own when she's in the grassy... area behind her house. did i mention my story was detailed? and BTW... this "old man" sure has a few cool stories to tell my Sim! (this is them: https://www.instagram.com/p/BfZVnPknFAC/)
he used to be less active and cheerful, though, until his daughter (who worked in a different town) moved back to live with him. 🙂
anyway... i didn't think you were saying to me, "you elder-killer!" just wanted to mention that i'm not one! 🙂
it's not that dementia itself makes me uncomfortable. just using the term loosely. i've heard lots of people just... you know... make comments about it as if it's some kind of joke? like... saying, "huh-huh, does person X have dementia? they're *so* forgetful!" as in... for anybody, young or older, who forgot to buy... IDK, one item off of their shopping list? kind of... making light of it.
so i strongly agree with what you said about the behaviour you see in your elders in-game as being insulting/a stereotype. i'm sorry i'm so bad at explaining what i mean. ☹️
aw... that stinks about your elderly bartender just looking lost... one of mine does the neat fire trick when mixing drinks. i wish *you*'d seen that happening too. ☹️
and another one, who's actually my favourite, is the one who died after woo-hooing 3 times. i know i used that happening as a description, but i left out that i quit without saving; i mean, to hell with that Sim-day's progress.
and the phrase i used, "i assume he didn't have the "active" trait? or did he?" was kind of a *wink-nudge* thing.
so this one, he's the main love interest of another one of my Sims... yeahhh. i love him. not only because he's a super cool/trendy character (guess what, *he* exists in my story, too!) but because he's the one who pays the most attention to my... ahem, less than perfect Sim. 😉 and BTW, he didn't die after i restarted the game and (of course) had the woo-hoo triad going on again. (this is them: https://www.instagram.com/p/BeJy_NCHA3j/)
...and i see what you mean about the video's animations, too. so yes. after that, i am with you, 100%, in wanting elder Sims to truly be cool as heck! i mean... we both know RL ones already are. =)Not all simmers agreed with your thoughts in this conversation(since there were plenty of simmers in the past that felt/thought that the elder sims were simply to young looking and acting and wanted a more gradual aging process) maybe a alternative is to have various amounts of healty and unhealthy lifestyle choices affecting the amount of various gradual aging process after affects/by products given to the elder sims.
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