The other day when I went for my lab tests there was a very elderly lady dealing with the next clerk. This lady was well up in the nineties and her eyes were level with the counter top. In our system we must show our health care card and driver's license. She told them she didn't have a driver's license and wanted to know why they wanted it. They told her they just wanted to check her age . Her reply was, " I used to always be three years older than my brother. " I had a tough time not to roar with laughter. I like comments like that.
Then I started thinking. Here's very elderly lady on her own in a large , sprawling hospital. She walked with a cane. Why doesn't someone assist this senior with some of the basics. I'm sure she was very much with it in her head but physically she was challenged.
She had been dropped of by a bus service from her senior's residence at 7:30 AM. What time did she have to get up and be ready to wait for some bus?
A volunteer had offered to get my paper work done and take me to another part of the hospital. I refused this aid as I had been through this routine before.This poor little lady was on her own.
I have a hard time to feel fortunate when I see someone who has to struggle on her own to get things done when there should be some help.
bless that tiny woman... those of us without children or family nearby will one day be just like her.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I have one in Chicago and one on the west coast.
DeleteI agree, where are the folks from her facility? Did you offer your services? Some one should at least have offered to push her in a chair to where she was going. Where were the volunteers from the hospital?
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of your stories about you mother.
DeleteGood factual post, well done.
ReplyDeleteShades of my mother, also now 90. Lives in her "villa" at the retirement estate in rural NSW, Young.
She refused to have any cleaning person come, that battle was won by my sisters. Took ages.
I really feel sorry for the cleaning lady, with mother watching every move.
She still refuses to have ready prepared microwave meals, just heat and eat. That battle
with my two sisters continues.
Thankfully I got the gardeners to cooperate with her, great young fellows and she now listens to their advice.
Like your lady, a courtesy bus takes her to the shopping area of Young, also to the clubs, her knitting group, church functions etc. and also excursions around the countryside for overnight stopovers, like a visit to Canberra for an exhibition or a concert. Of course, the accommodation is first rate, that is extra - but the bus cost is $2.00!!!! To the shops in Young and back, to Canberra 2 hours by bus the same in this courtesy bus.
I reckon that this is a pretty good deal.
Maybe your lady is similar, whilst they have their "wits" - let them maintain their independence, even if it does worry to hell, the family members. I think your lady is of the same. But it is a worry for the family
members.
Maybe Benedict XVI at 85 years made the right call, I think so anyhow. The brain is there, the body is not.
Sometimes the reverse happens.
Mother can still walk at a great rate, however dementia and loss of recent memory has set in.
Memories of old - travel etc. are still first rate.
Again well done, mate.
Colin
In many cases elderly children are left looking after elderly parents. It's not easy for the parent or the children who are themselves seniors.
DeleteOne good thing about getting old is that you have all the answers.
ReplyDeleteThe lady certainly had a good answer to prove her age.
DeleteI used to volunteer at the hospital when I lived in the city - we help our older neighbours and often drive them to Doctor's appts, barber, groceries, etc. It bothers me greatly to see an older soul on their own and I might myself volunteer, if I saw that situation, but always prepared for one to say no thankyou. . We should have such volunteers around these places to help out.
ReplyDeleteThere were volunteers in this hospital . I don't think they had anybody in that area and it was early in the morning.
DeleteHow very sad that there is nobody to help her. I can see her standing there myself, you told the story very well, Red.
ReplyDeleteA good part of this is that she wasn't looking for help and was feisty enough to be independent but it was a challenge.
DeleteI feel rather sorry for her, but ..sort of worries me I might not have my independence at her age but over-bearing over-protective children that are in their 70's and probably need more help than me!
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
There are many different scenarios. Usually there are children who are seniors looking after very elderly people. I was 68 when my Dad died. We were all healthy so didn't have problems of our own in looking after him.
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