At a meeting in Lansing an announcement was made; another colleague is retiring. Whew. When you’re in your sixties or seventies, this becomes a frequent happening. Future plans may be well thought out, or not. After decades of working together, some colleagues will see each other, most won’t. They wish each other well; a sense of exploration is often in the air. A new phase of their journey begins. At a meeting in Lansing an announcement was made; another colleague is retiring. Whew. When you’re in your sixties or seventies, this becomes a frequent happening. Future plans may be well thought out, or not. After decades of working together, some colleagues will see each other, most won’t. They wish each other well; a sense of exploration is often in the air. A new phase of their journey begins.
Neighbors and friends in their eighties and nineties have usually settled into comfortable routines and are experts at retirement. Later decades can be a time of creativity, expanded purpose and growth.
As inevitable changes in health are confronted, people find a means of keeping on, and making things work. Businesses miss out if not paying attention. A local eatery used to have about seven parking places near the front door. After a renovation they have one. Additional “accessible” parking is located at about four times the distance, next to an intersection and across a relatively fast 35 mph street. Hmmm.
Increasingly stores have electric carts with baskets for customers to negotiate long aisleways. Customers know which stores keep them in easy reach and well charged, and which stores to stay away from.
A cruise line boasted a new small ship with modern bathrooms and large rooms. When a friend needed space to enter on a small scooter, she was assured any of the spacious new staterooms would work. On arrival, she couldn’t get into her cabin without nosing the scooter against a dresser, closing the door, and collapsing the scooter to climb around it. Not fun. She didn’t recommend the cruise to her friends.
Life is full of daily routines, errands, and chores; not only around town, but in the home as well. When someone needs help, they may ask for assistance, or not. A physician friend wondered why his patient wasn’t taking pills as prescribed, didn’t seem interested in the suggested heart friendly diet, and missed follow-up appointments.
Staff at Area Agency on Aging (AAA) increasingly partner with physicians to visit the home to see what challenges in routine activities have become barriers to maintaining good health. Home based discussions range far beyond the typical “can you get around the house okay” or, “do you need help with anything”?
AAA staff are experts in solving barriers in the home. Ability to drive, ability to see, how to afford and organize medications. Can they shop and cook and clean? Tips on how to make life safer in the home range from no cost to extravagant make overs. It doesn’t matter whether someone has little money or a lot. When something happens to change our way of life, it’s a new world.
“Having control of your surroundings is a big thing”, comments a mid-eighties friend. People help each other. But sometimes asking for help fuels fear of appearing weak. It’s not.
I’ve worn glasses since I was four years old. Glasses are an accepted tool to help see. In addition to canes, hearing aids or walkers, there are a host gizmos and gadgets that are tools to ease routines and functioning. It’s wise to ask what’s available. AAA is not just a resource to physicians, feel free to pick the brains of AAA professionals manning the Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 1-800-654-2810. No obligation. Hundreds of calls are received every month. Experts on the line know what services are available to persons with limited money, or what people with resources can buy to make life easier.