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spindles · 12-07-2008, 04:17 PM

This is also a topic close to home for me. Both my grandmothers are getting on (Dad's mum (Nan) just turned 97, Mum's mum (Granny) is 90 I think). They are quite contrasting. Nan lives in a nursing home - she has here own room, with a TV, but all meals are provided in a dining room for those able to get there. Her biggest problems are

1. mobility. She can walk with a walking frame, but can't go any great distance.
2. sight. She can no longer read, which was a great joy to her, and even though her TV is ginormous, she really can't see it very well
3. hearing. She has worn a hearing aid for 30 years or so. The issue now is that if there is more than one person talking, she just hears a cacophony. This means one on one is good, more than 2 people is useless.

My parents live quite close to where she is (specifically chose the place because of their proximity) and this means she gets out quite a bit, even if it is only to their place for a cuppa. I'm not sure it is much, but her situation is such that there is not much else to give.

Granny, on the other hand, still has a driver license, lives in her own home and is fairly independent. Again, my parents mow her lawn and get calls for any kind of maintenance things, but she is still able to get around by herself. Her eyesight is also going, and I don't think she'll keep her license to drive next year. That is when the 'fun' will start as this will severely restrict what she can do by herself. Hopefully her children (three of whom live quite close, including my mum) will make sure that she stays mobile.

Bottom line is you need to take into account that they are slower/get tired easily/lose focus, and try to do things that fit that criteria.

It partly reminds me what it is like to have a toddler - you don't go on any roller coasters, you spend ages dressing them appropriately for conditions and you only get to stay out for a small period of time. You've just got to help them make the most of those short trips outside.

12-07-2008, 04:17 PM	#17 (permalink)
spindles Mine is an evil laugh Location: Sydney, Australia	This is also a topic close to home for me. Both my grandmothers are getting on (Dad's mum (Nan) just turned 97, Mum's mum (Granny) is 90 I think). They are quite contrasting. Nan lives in a nursing home - she has here own room, with a TV, but all meals are provided in a dining room for those able to get there. Her biggest problems are 1. mobility. She can walk with a walking frame, but can't go any great distance. 2. sight. She can no longer read, which was a great joy to her, and even though her TV is ginormous, she really can't see it very well 3. hearing. She has worn a hearing aid for 30 years or so. The issue now is that if there is more than one person talking, she just hears a cacophony. This means one on one is good, more than 2 people is useless. My parents live quite close to where she is (specifically chose the place because of their proximity) and this means she gets out quite a bit, even if it is only to their place for a cuppa. I'm not sure it is much, but her situation is such that there is not much else to give. Granny, on the other hand, still has a driver license, lives in her own home and is fairly independent. Again, my parents mow her lawn and get calls for any kind of maintenance things, but she is still able to get around by herself. Her eyesight is also going, and I don't think she'll keep her license to drive next year. That is when the 'fun' will start as this will severely restrict what she can do by herself. Hopefully her children (three of whom live quite close, including my mum) will make sure that she stays mobile. Bottom line is you need to take into account that they are slower/get tired easily/lose focus, and try to do things that fit that criteria. It partly reminds me what it is like to have a toddler - you don't go on any roller coasters, you spend ages dressing them appropriately for conditions and you only get to stay out for a small period of time. You've just got to help them make the most of those short trips outside. __________________ who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?