101-year-old: The Right Cane–Mobility and Aging in Place–4 years after Broken Hip Surgery 1

 The Right Cane

Because of R's strong desire to remain in her home of over 65 years and live independently, alone--she may have put more thought into cane selection than many. The cane she eventually purchased, she first used in rehab. While she used many canes in rehab, this one felt best to her, because of its handle, which is broad. Her palm rests on it, instead of fingers wrapping the usual more rounded handle. Thus, it felt like added support. 

She was told when she left rehab 4 years ago how important it is that the cane is fit properly by someone knowledgeable. She's convinced that's why some people who, don't stand up straight and walk properly with their cane, have problems.

As parents age, inevitable problems arise. Loss of almost all vision in R's left eye and macular degeneration in her other eye are her current concerns. Mobility isn't one of them thanks to her cane and a walker (next post).

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Aging Parents: 101-Year-Old, 4 Years After Broken Hip Surgery, Still Mobile and Living Alone–1

Four years ago this month R left the rehab center after spending 4 months there. Today, at 101, R is completely mobile. She now walks with a cane when she goes out (which she didn’t do before she broke her femur). She uses her cane at home when she “feels unsure.”

What has changed since R’s surgery?

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Aging Parents–New Year’s Resolution: Medication Must-Do’s

Confusion About Medications

Outdated Medications

Dependable medication reminders

An at-the-ready lest of prescription and non-prescription drugs:

Let's hope our parents don't have the first two--

 and do have the last two.

We make New Year's Resolutions when we're young. Getting our life in order is a priority for many. I'm guessing if we check with our elders, there aren't so many resolutions made--and if they're made they don't include anything related to their medications. Yet taking medications as directed, when directed, would be a worthy--and possibly life-saving--resolution to help parents age well in 2015.

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Aging Parents: Practice What You Preach

1. “Keep in close contact with elders–aunts, uncles. Make sure they’re not forgotten.”
2. “A phone call is wonderful; it doesn’t have to be a visit.”

*            *         *

These suggestions to lift elders’ spirits during the holidays, came from a small survey I took several years ago. Twice since I posted them last Saturday, their ability to raise people’s spirits and make them feel good has been proven–once for Sr. Advisor, R; once for the seniors who work on Help! Aging Parents.

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Tailoring the Holidays for Elders' Needs

Some aging parents are lifted by the excitement and activities of Christmas; for others there's overstimulation and stress. And at some point, for all aging parents, there's a slowing down. Do we notice this? Can/should we do something?

Indeed, the holidays can be tricky for some and need to be simplified, especially for those with Alzheimer's.

Then there are aging parents and elders we care about, who can't do what they used to because of aging-related conditions. I ran the preceding sentence by our Sr. Advisor, Dr. Bud, MD, (psychiatrist) asking for his thoughts.

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Aging Parents: Becoming A Caregiver--Life Changes in the Blink of an Eye

Another Christmas gift idea: A gift we give ourselves or others who are caregivers (and don't already own it)--Passages in Caregiving. 

As readers know, Help! Aging Parents takes no ads and rarely reviews books. That said, we're always on the lookout for gifts to help parents--and elders we care about--age well. Books that help us as caregivers, translate into helping those we care about and care for.

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Aging Parents: Great Gifts on the Inside; Looking Great Outside Too

They say "It's what's inside that counts." No argument here. That said, doesn't anything that looks great on the outside raise our spirits...and those of our elders?

Two gift-giving holidays are fast-approaching. I think of the value of extra nicely wrapped gifts–where the initial fun is seeing them, followed by the joy of discovering what’s inside. 

To view entire post please go to my other site.

http://helpparentsagewell.com/2014/12/06/aging-parents-gifts-that-look-great/