Here
are a few suggestions that may help:
EXIT
COOKING
Let’s say that the person isn’t able to make a large meal for
themselves, or that they couldn’t possibly eat as much as they would
cook, but that they need a well-balanced meal. How about giving them a
gift certificate so they can go out to eat or set something up with a
local restaurant so they can go in to eat and the bill will get paid
once or twice a month. They get to go out to eat, have a balanced meal
and take the leftovers home and heat in the microwave to eat when ever
they choose.
Another alternative would be to set up meals on wheels for them a few
times a week or to go to a Senior Center for a meal. You can check
this out with your local Office on Aging. Don’t they deserve to have
someone else cook for them after all of the years that they have been
cooking, besides that; they will only need to have deli meat, bread,
milk and snacks in the house for in-between. This will save them a lot
of money and we all know that the elderly are 100% for saving money on
a fixed income. Transportation for the person to the meal site can
normally be set up through the meal site or the Office on Aging.
I
CAN’T DRIVE
The thought of depending on other people to take you everyplace that
you want to go is one of the reasons the elderly continue to want to
drive. Now, if they know that they can get from point A to point B all
by themselves and it isn’t going to be expensive and they can do this
all on their own, they don’t mind not driving, a matter of fact, most
of them look forward to the idea. Get them a monthly bus pass, teach
them how to set up transportation using the Seniors Bus or Handicap
Bus, get them into a car pool with others from a church or a program
that they belong to. Again, the thought of saving on gas, insurance
and maintenance on a vehicle will be a blessing for them.
I
DON’T REMEMBER
Sometimes you will find that the Senior Citizen used to love to go
places and do things and now they almost seem like they are afraid to
leave the house. It could be because they don’t remember the way they
used to and are afraid that they won’t know how to get back home. No
one likes to feel foolish, especially at that age, and most of the
time they won’t tell anyone their fears. So, you think of what to do
before they ask you about it. Make them business cards (calling cards)
to keep with them, with their name address and phone number on. This
can be given to people that they would like to have their phone
number, to a taxi drive when they are asked where they want to go, or
to the person that they are car pooling with. So the “calling card”
serves more than one purpose. This helps to take the fright away of
not remembering their phone number or address. They always have their
calling card with them.
WHAT
IF I NEED MY FAMILY
An
underlying thought with all elderly is; what if something happens when
I am out of the house, will someone get my son or daughter?
Give them a typed piece of paper with everyone’s name, address, phone
number, cell phone number, e-mail address etc. on it, for them to keep
in their wallet. You may even want to make a notation next to the name
that should be called and in what order in case of an emergency, by
numbering it 1-2-3. This way the senior knows that their loved one
will be called and they don’t have to worry about not remembering a
phone number, place of employment or how to contact them. You may also
want to contact your nearest hospital and have your name on file in
case there is an emergency. Most elderly don’t like the idea of a
pocket telephone book because it becomes too confusing for them to
follow, just a typed piece of paper so they can see everyone’s
information on one page is usually self assuring.
Help your Senior Citizen retain their dignity and Independence and
have the feeling of control over their lives no matter what their age.
They are our older generation and deserve the respect.
About
the Author:
Jan Hayner is creeator of Easy Home Organizing at
http://www.organizingyourlifetheeasyway.com
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Additional Information and
webpage by Paul Susic MA Licensed
Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
You have spent all of your life raising children, working to feed
everybody, buy a home, buy clothes to dress everyone, made all of your
own financial decisions and you have done a really good job of it.
Now, someone comes along and decides that you can’t do this anymore.
That they are going to do things to change your life…for your own
good. Now tell me, how would you like this to happen to you? Well, it
happens to Senior Citizens everyday and sooner or later, you’re going
to be one yourself, so plan ahead.