Sunday, November 25, 2012

2012 Holiday Gifts for Aging Mothers-1 (updated from Nov. 2011 post)

Fashionable, Appropriate, Clothing and Accessories:
6 Excellent Sites

There's a never-worn St. John knit hanging in my closet.  Normally a very pricey label, it was so inexpensive (a "buy" you can find in NY). I couldn't resist getting it for my mother years ago--her size, her color, two piece. But she never wore it.  Why?  At age 83, she tactfully told me that she didn't wear short sleeves because of flabby arms. Who knew?

Something to think about when selecting clothing: older women's particular wants and needs, as well as challenges.  Can can they button and unbutton easily? What about hooks and eyes? clasps to necklaces? things that zip, button in back etc. etc.  Do they want to downplay/hide certain parts of their body?

Senior advisor R, 99, uses catalogs...and always looks well-put-together. Check out her favorite catalogs and their URLs. If you want to entertain your mother, while getting an idea of what she likes, check them out together.  (In counseling we call the latter "a hidden agenda.")
 

To view this entire post please visit my other site:http://helpparentsagewell.com/2012/11/24/holiday-gifts-for-aging-mothers-1-2012

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Mobility-Challenged Aging Parents: From Rehab Center to Home for Thanksgiving at 97

Our Thanksgiving celebration, like that of many, brings together family members and one or two very close friends and their families. We span generations. This year the youngest is 5 months old and  R is 99.

R has never missed our Thanksgiving gatherings be they in the East or in the West. But year before last--on September 30th--she broke her hip. Attending Thanksgiving dinner that year was questionable. Doctor's orders were no weight bearing on leg with femur fracture for 90 days....and she was in a rehab center.

There were times leading up to Thanksgiving when R didn't think she could make it; but in her heart of hearts she wanted to come. The rehab center people said if she wanted to come, we all would be trained, keeping in mind she could only put weight on her good leg. Here's how:.......

Since there are several days until Thanksgiving, R's experience may be useful right now. The percentage of older people who can expect to fall and sustain a broken hip is always high, so remembering R's experience could be important in the future.

To view entire post, please visit my other site: http://wp.me/pGfkw-2AW   or http://helpparentsagewell.com/2012/11/18/mobility-challenged-aging-parents-from-rehab-center-to-home-for-thanksgiving-at-97/

Help Aging Parents: Including Older People With Health (and other isssues) at out Thanksgiving Dinner

 Including Older People With Health (and other issues) At Our Thanksgiving Dinner

Just because some hosts are inclusive and others don't feel comfortable, doesn't make them bad (or good) people. For actual examples and rationales click my other site: http://helpparentsagewell.com/2012/11/13/help-aging-parents-lincluding-older-people-with-health-(and-other-issues)-at-our-Thanksgiving-Dinner/

Specific Thanksgiving Gifts Help Parents and Grandparents Age Well

When I think Thanksgiving, I think Family Togetherness and the many opportunities--gifts actually--to engage, stimulate, connect, enhance self-worth and share love.

3 Gifts, Incorporating the above in various ways

1.  Being with family is what aging parents and grandparents say they want most. Stimulation and Connections top the list of factors that help people age well and doesn't being with family provide this?

Please visit my other site to see entire post: http://helpparentsagewell.com/2012/11/11/specific-thanksgiving-gifts-help-parents-and-grandparents-age-well

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Aging Parents and Politics

I want to share three true stories this election night….about old people and elections. Whether it’s the way we’re “wired’ or it’s acquired, let’s face it–old people who are engaged age better than those who aren’t.

To view this entire post, please visit my other site: http://helpparentsagewell.com/2012/11/06/aging-parents-and-politics/





Sunday, November 4, 2012

Hurricane Sandy's Aftermath: NYC 10/29--Is it Optimism, or Deni

 Amid pictures of younger people wading through thigh-high waters, ruined homes, scattered belongings, heavy objects upended and strewn everywhere, another sobering scene: an elderly man, who had been trapped alone in his flooded home, now strapped to equipment that facilitated his being evacuated by rescuers to higher ground. Was he unaware? without working portable radio, cell phone or TV? physically unable to leave? Or could he just not bear to leave his home? The TV anchor reports a neighbor phoned to get him help. Evidently no family came to his aid. Looking out for our own aging family members isn’t enough, it seems. It clearly wouldn’t have been for this man.               


To view entire blog link to:
 http://helpparentsagewell.com/2012/11/03/hurricane-sandys-aftermath-nyc-1029-112-is-it-optimism-or-denial-or-stark-reality-that-motivates-us