One of the discomfiting contradictions of living in the Information Age is the realization that a surplus of information doesn’t necessarily lead you closer to the truth. We’re constantly bombarded by contradictory sets of facts from every corner of the internet, making it almost impossible to know what is right. Except for maybe politics, this is probably most true in personal health.
Glen describes his stress as “a feeling that someone is gripping the back of my neck tightly. And I’m so tense that I can’t even turn around to see who it is—if I wanted to.” He feels the stress of healthcare expenses, family drama, and even death as he’s dealing with more unfamiliar health challenges than ever before. Maureen, on the other hand, says that when she’s stressed, “I just power through it, focusing only on what needs to get done. But then I crash, and sometimes it takes me days to recover in bed.” She feels the weight of continuing to host a book club in her home each week even after she took a bad fall and has had to use a walker, as well as her husband’s worsening dementia.
“So, mom and dad, thanks for having me over for dinner. I wanted to talk to you about a few things. To start things off, I want you to think about how you’re going to die someday, probably not long from now. And with that out of the way, let’s talk about money.”
When an older adult has a caregiver come to their home to assist them with everyday tasks, the possibilities for staying and aging at home are greatly extended. With the help of client service managers, homes can be updated for safety and accessibility, medical needs and appointments can be consolidated to minimize and simplify care, nutritious meals can be prepared or delivered, and an in-home caregiver can be present for as many hours as needed to offer an older adult companionship and assistance. These services can ensure each client—and each family—has what they need for successful aging in place because care plans are designed specifically for each individual’s unique situation.
Ray loved his home. He’d lived there with his wife Doreen for over 50 years. He knew every creaky spot on the hardwood floor, every crack in the walls, and every mark on the bathroom door where Doreen had recorded the heights of his growing children.
“Books have gotten me this far in life. I don’t see why I’d stop now!”
A quick glance at the literary canon would seem to imply that most novels are about the young. After all, we’re meant to believe, it is only youth that has passion, that has adventure, that has romance. Only youth is worth writing about.
Sebastian loved his home. Not only did he build it with his own two hands, it was where he raised his children. For him, home was where his heart was, and he could never imagine leaving it. As he aged, however, Sebastian found it harder and harder to navigate his home the way he used to. The kitchen floor made his joints ache, he had trouble getting in and out of the bathtub, and he could no longer spring up from his favorite reclining chair with ease.
My grandma passed away quite a few years ago, but her oldest friend, Cora, still comes to our family gatherings. At our recent celebration of her 83rd birthday, my brother made a comment about how it is so great that she continues to live independently. Cora replied, “I don’t think I’ve ever actually lived independently. Even when I was in my prime at your age, I still leaned on the people and the help around me. I can’t imagine what real independence would be like. Lonely, I think.”
Nicholas always had a passion for cooking. There was something about being in his kitchen and creating delicious, colorful meals that brought him so much joy. But as he entered his late seventies, cooking started to become a bit more of a chore. As Nicholas’s mobility decreased, he found it difficult to retrieve pots and pans from his cupboards, remove food from the oven, and lean over the sink to wash his dishes.
Institute on Aging (IOA) CONNECT is your direct line to us and the starting point for help with your concerns about the needs of older adults and adults with disabilities. IOA CONNECT links you with our services, as well as community services available. Reach out to connect with us.
Phone: (415) 750 – 4111 | Fax: (415) 750 – 5338
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