Senior Sunrise

After my father passed away last year, living independently became increasingly difficult for my mother. So, a few months ago, my wife and I invited her to come live with us. She immediately began to show more zeal and energy. However, while my wife and I went to work each day, she was left to her own devices around the home and was often bored.

It was evident that something needed to be done, but I had never been faced with this sort of quandary before, so I did what any modern American would do and turned to the internet. In a short time I found a senior day care center near our home. While the moniker may deter some people, these facilities provide a much-needed service; they offer seniors a place to congregate during the day and keep entertained with their peers, who often have similar interests.

My grandmother is 87 years old and still lives independently, but all of her children live in a different state. Having had medication mix-ups when emergency treatment was administered in the past, she has been cautious about traveling recently and has missed an important event or two. In order to ensure that she receives the proper medical care and attention, we have prepared an advanced medical directive.

If she were to require medical attention during a visit, this form would assist the hospital or urgent care center and ensure they do not make a mistake with her medications, allergies, or any other medical issues she may have. It also specifies what measures should be taken in a traumatic scenarios. A medical directive is an essential component in ensuring that the proper measures are taken in the event of an emergency.

It’s not easy for elderly individuals to admit when they need help. At least that’s the view I’ve come to espouse based on experience. My own parents were raised in Depression-era New York state, and they asked no quarter from anyone their entire lives. My own kids occasionally asked me why Grandpa was so persistent about asking them to clean their plates, and the answer was obvious to me. When they were growing up, my parents worked hard to make their own way in life, and they didn’t waste anything.

My father has been gone for two years now, and mom had a difficult time coping at first. In recent months, she’s really begun to lose her way. She forgets things all the time, and I’m beginning to worry about her ability to function safely all alone at home. My wife mentioned the possibility of getting some at-home assistance, and I agreed that a caregiving service would be prudent. Mom didn’t like the idea at first, but she had to swallow her pride and trust that I was doing what was best for her.