Thursday, January 21, 2016
Aged and In Charge: Freedom
Aged and In Charge: Freedom: After my husband broke his shoulder, we were pretty much home bound for about two months. Frequent visits to the orthopedic surgeon were ab...
Friday, October 9, 2015
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Look Beyond the Wrinkles
Recently an acquaintance of mine asked me, "What is the worst part about growing old?" In all honesty I had to say, "It is the way other people see me." When they see my wrinkles, and other signs of aging they see me as an old lady. This denotes over the hill, knows nothing, and is on her way out. Without hesitation, she replied, "But the minute you open your mouth it is obvious you are not old."
Being treated like old people is something my husband and I witness every day when we are out and about. The other day, after shopping at a local store, my husband needed a little assistance getting up from a bench he had been resting on. A young lady spotted us, came over and offered to help. As we started to walk away I thanked her. She informed us that she was used to this sort of thing because she was a teacher in a Special Education class. She seemed happy that she had been able to offer a good deed to two old people.
The minute I shared the fact that my husband had been a professor at a local college for 23 years, her whole demeanor changed. Her fact lit up, and she began a conversation, asking what subjects he had taught. Now she was seeing us in a different light, not just old people, but people who had a purpose in life.
If it is true that you cannot judge a book by its cover, why is it that when our covers become wrinkled, crinkled, or rimpled we suddenly become unnoticed, unwanted and underestimated.
Being treated like old people is something my husband and I witness every day when we are out and about. The other day, after shopping at a local store, my husband needed a little assistance getting up from a bench he had been resting on. A young lady spotted us, came over and offered to help. As we started to walk away I thanked her. She informed us that she was used to this sort of thing because she was a teacher in a Special Education class. She seemed happy that she had been able to offer a good deed to two old people.
The minute I shared the fact that my husband had been a professor at a local college for 23 years, her whole demeanor changed. Her fact lit up, and she began a conversation, asking what subjects he had taught. Now she was seeing us in a different light, not just old people, but people who had a purpose in life.
If it is true that you cannot judge a book by its cover, why is it that when our covers become wrinkled, crinkled, or rimpled we suddenly become unnoticed, unwanted and underestimated.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Freedom
After my husband broke his shoulder, we were pretty much home bound for about two months. Frequent visits to the orthopedic surgeon were about the extent of our excitement. Feeling a little better, he suggested he would like to take a trip to the store. It was November and the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping did not seem like a jolly time to get out in those crowds.
After the first of the year turned out to be a good time for an outing. A grocery store was close by, and a good place to see how he would fare. He managed to use the affected hand to push the cart, and get into the store. Not being sure he could manipulate the controls on the motorized cart, it was worth a try. After positioning himself in the cart, we reviewed the forward and backward levers for his use. He was no more in the cart, we turned our heads, he was off, and disappeared around a corner. Fortunately, I had a caregiver with me that was able to keep up with his pace.
The affected hand that could hardly manipulate a utensil, or a toothbrush, was now able to push the levers to freedom. After his fall, he was not able to drive the car. Now he was in control. He was in control of the steering, the brakes, and where he was going to go. Fortunately, he kept his speed where no one was harmed, and no displays were toppled over.
As the caregiver frantically watched my husband disappear corner after corner, I was able to do my grocery shopping. When I finished, I had difficulty locating either one of them. When I finally approached my husband I told him I was through shopping, and asked if he was ready to go home. The answer was an emphatic No. Twice I had to return the frozen vegetables to the freezer lest they begin to thaw even before we checked out.
Never underestimate the power of the simple things in life. A motorized cart, in a local store, gave an 84 year old man freedom after suffering a wicked fall. and a broken shoulder.
After the first of the year turned out to be a good time for an outing. A grocery store was close by, and a good place to see how he would fare. He managed to use the affected hand to push the cart, and get into the store. Not being sure he could manipulate the controls on the motorized cart, it was worth a try. After positioning himself in the cart, we reviewed the forward and backward levers for his use. He was no more in the cart, we turned our heads, he was off, and disappeared around a corner. Fortunately, I had a caregiver with me that was able to keep up with his pace.
The affected hand that could hardly manipulate a utensil, or a toothbrush, was now able to push the levers to freedom. After his fall, he was not able to drive the car. Now he was in control. He was in control of the steering, the brakes, and where he was going to go. Fortunately, he kept his speed where no one was harmed, and no displays were toppled over.
As the caregiver frantically watched my husband disappear corner after corner, I was able to do my grocery shopping. When I finished, I had difficulty locating either one of them. When I finally approached my husband I told him I was through shopping, and asked if he was ready to go home. The answer was an emphatic No. Twice I had to return the frozen vegetables to the freezer lest they begin to thaw even before we checked out.
Never underestimate the power of the simple things in life. A motorized cart, in a local store, gave an 84 year old man freedom after suffering a wicked fall. and a broken shoulder.
Monday, February 23, 2015
This really BUGS me!
This really BUGS me! This numbers game with your age.
Every time you go to the doctor, urgent care, or emergency room, one of the first things you are asked is your date of birth. They want the reply to be in numbers, like maybe 9-2-35. When you answer it, they say, "Great, you remember your age."
But, do you? We have repeated those numbers for decades. But do people remember what they mean?
Take time out of your busy day and ask several elderly persons what those numbers mean. I did, and I was shocked at what I learned. "What does the 9 mean?" Reply, "I don't know." "What does the 2 mean?" "I don't know." What does the 35 mean?" "I don't know." "Do you have any idea how old you are?" "No".
So I need your help. Is it just me that finds a problem with this? If it is, I can live with it. If there is a bigger problem with this, maybe we need to take a second look.
Thanks.
Every time you go to the doctor, urgent care, or emergency room, one of the first things you are asked is your date of birth. They want the reply to be in numbers, like maybe 9-2-35. When you answer it, they say, "Great, you remember your age."
But, do you? We have repeated those numbers for decades. But do people remember what they mean?
Take time out of your busy day and ask several elderly persons what those numbers mean. I did, and I was shocked at what I learned. "What does the 9 mean?" Reply, "I don't know." "What does the 2 mean?" "I don't know." What does the 35 mean?" "I don't know." "Do you have any idea how old you are?" "No".
So I need your help. Is it just me that finds a problem with this? If it is, I can live with it. If there is a bigger problem with this, maybe we need to take a second look.
Thanks.
"There's no place like home, there's no place like home."
"There's no place like home, there's no place like home." How many times have we heard that, and picture Dorothy clicking the heels of her red shoes. There is truth to that statement until your home is no longer compatible. Every effort should be made to enable elderly people to remain in their homes. More research needs to be done to make changes so they can remain there.
However, the time comes when the home is no longer compatible. At this point, especially when one of the spouses is left by themselves, some changes may have to be made.
Unfortunately, the connotation of a nursing home, or assisted living facility has been anything but delightful. Seniors today recall visiting their parents in small, dark, undecorated rooms. But that has changed.
If you are facing the dilemma of a loving parent not wanting to give up their home, there is one option that seems to be successful. Take them to visit one of the homes in your area. Facilities built for the elderly today are usually beautiful, airy, spacious, offer delightful entertainment, and many other amenities.
A man who in his 90's was emphatic that he did not want to leave his home. Family members convinced him to visit one of the homes in their area. He fell in love with the place immediately, moved within four days, is happy, and says it is like living on a cruise ship, not to mention the fact that all the attention he is getting from the nurses is making him feel younger. An elderly lady, not wanting to leave her home, after moving, said it was like living in a dorm. Another comment I heard from both of them was "I wish I had moved here sooner."
Even though persons do not want to leave their homes, sometimes they don't know what they are missing out on. Finances are often a problem, but there are many programs out there that offer assistance. One needs to consider when a facility would be more compatible than their home.
However, the time comes when the home is no longer compatible. At this point, especially when one of the spouses is left by themselves, some changes may have to be made.
Unfortunately, the connotation of a nursing home, or assisted living facility has been anything but delightful. Seniors today recall visiting their parents in small, dark, undecorated rooms. But that has changed.
If you are facing the dilemma of a loving parent not wanting to give up their home, there is one option that seems to be successful. Take them to visit one of the homes in your area. Facilities built for the elderly today are usually beautiful, airy, spacious, offer delightful entertainment, and many other amenities.
A man who in his 90's was emphatic that he did not want to leave his home. Family members convinced him to visit one of the homes in their area. He fell in love with the place immediately, moved within four days, is happy, and says it is like living on a cruise ship, not to mention the fact that all the attention he is getting from the nurses is making him feel younger. An elderly lady, not wanting to leave her home, after moving, said it was like living in a dorm. Another comment I heard from both of them was "I wish I had moved here sooner."
Even though persons do not want to leave their homes, sometimes they don't know what they are missing out on. Finances are often a problem, but there are many programs out there that offer assistance. One needs to consider when a facility would be more compatible than their home.
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