03.12.10
Posted in Elder Care at 8:41 am by admin
“Dad, I’m really worried about you. Please go to the doctor and just get it check out.” I pleaded into the phone. “Oh, I’m alright,” my father brushed it off. “Your dad’s just getting old, that’s all.” I bit my lip in frustration, not knowing how else to convince him.
My father resisted going to the doctor for any kind of
elder care, but particularly when he began showing symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. He went through a long period of denial before my siblings and I decided it was unloving to NOT intervene. Here are some steps we took to finally convince him to see a doctor.
1. Gather the family and gently explain your concerns and love for your parent.
2. Ask if there is a specific reason he or she resists going to the doctor. Allow time to respond, and gently identify general attempts to deflect the question. Dislike for his or her current practitioner could be resolved with a change in doctors. Fear of hearing bad news can be lessened when it’s spoken out loud and acknowledged, and when family members make an effort to help process through it. My father had developed a great distrust for doctors because of errors made in his own parents’ care. Verbalizing this to his family helped us be more sensitive in how we encouraged him to overcome this fear in order to receive the care he needed.
3. Simply ask him or her to get things checked out. Don’t predict the worst, but gently remind him or her that putting off care could allow things to progress to a point that is harder to stop or slow down. And, the issue could turn out to be something simple to address. Either way, you and your family will feel more peaceful knowing that mom or dad is receiving care.
4. Offer to make the appointment and provide transport and support. Our parents have done this for us for so many years, sometimes its hard for them to let their children swap roles, but recognizing and showing your love and willingness to be by their side can help them make the shift.
5. Gently bring up the subject at the next appointment even if it‘s not with the regular doctor. Sometimes a professional such as the chiropractor, urologist, or even dentist can be the one to convince mom or dad they need to see a doctor about a more serious health issue.
Don’t give up! Calmly breach the subject and allow him or her to respond. Reiterating your love and concern repeatedly could be what it takes to convince mom or dad it’s time to see the doctor.
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02.15.10
Posted in Home Health Care at 11:30 am by admin
Home Modifications
So you’ve decided to care for your loved one at home instead of a
Texas elder care facility, but you may be concerned about how to make it work. Will he be able to navigate our home safely? What if I can’t help him get into bed or in and out of the shower? Home modifications, simple or complex, depending on your loved one’s physical limitations or medical needs, may be the ticket to keeping him at home longer, providing a safe environment, and maintaining maximum independence and dignity.
Making modifications to your home may sound overwhelming and expensive, but may be as simple as rearranging the furniture, removing loose rugs, and installing night lights between bedroom and bathroom. These simple changes could go a long way to prevent a potentially dangerous fall.
The following tips and checklists will help you take stock of your home, your loved one’s needs, and sort through needed modifications:
Consider your loved one’s mobility issues, visual or physical limitations and challenges in everyday functions in your home. Does he need assistance getting out of bed? Is he having difficulty navigating your current furniture arrangement? If he reaches out to steady himself, will he have something sturdy to grab? Is he making trips to the bathroom at night? Simply tracking these kinds of things and other potential challenges for a day can be tremendously helpful in identifying and prioritizing necessary home modifications. Allowing your loved one to be a part of this process will help you identify problems and challenges you might overlook.
Here’s a checklist to get you and your loved one started on identifying his or her physical challenges in the home:
- Do you need assistance getting into or out of bed?
- Are you able to navigate getting to the bathroom during the night?
- Do you feel comfortable getting up and down from the toilet?
- Are faucets easy to turn on and off?
- Do you feel comfortable in getting in and out of the shower or bathtub?
- Do you have visual limitations or depth perception difficulties?
- Are all areas of the home appropriately lighted?
- Do you have difficulties with self-feeding?
- Are things you need arranged within your reach?
- Are windows, doors, cabinets easy for you to open and shut?
- Are light switches within easy reach?
- Are all rooms easily accessible?
- Is the phone in easy reach and at an appropriate volume?
- Are stairs easy and safe to navigate?
- Are all entrances easy to navigate?
- Is the furniture arranged to provide clear pathways and support as needed?
- Are outside pathways smooth and easy to navigate?
Complete a simple safety check of your home. Make careful observations as you walk through the house room by room during both daylight and nighttime hours.
- a. Check for adequate lighting in all rooms, outdoor walkways, and hallways. Note any extra lighting needed: night light, noise-response lighting (the Clapper), brighter bulb, new lighting installation, or motion sensor lights
- b. Make note of any changes needed to provide clear pathways, safe and easy access, and balance supports especially for outdoor walkways, entrances, hallways, and stairways: rearrange furniture, remove obstructions or loose rugs, provide additional seating, install non-slip surface, mark level changes with colored or reflective tape, add handrails, install ramp or stair lift
- c. Evaluate each room for functionality, potential hazards, or physical obstacles. Consider appropriate solutions.
bedroom getting in and out of bed – bed risers, grab bars, side rails, Hoyer lift (manual or hydraulic), adjustable hospital-style bed
accessing closet - reachable storage, clothing rods, shoe hangers, accessory organizers
accessing dresser – easy open drawers
getting to the bathroom – portable commode
keeping things accessible from bed - hospital-style bedside table (can be raised or lowered, wheeled, or locked), book rack
independent dressing – long handled shoe horn, button hook, velcro to replace buttons, extra seating
bathroom getting in and out of the shower – grab bars, non-slip mat, shower chair, walk-in shower and bath tub
using faucets – set water heater temperature to a maximum of 120 degrees to prevent accidental scalding, replace hard to turn faucet controls with more manageable handles.
sitting down and getting up from the toilet – raised toilet seat, grab bar
stairs potential fall hazard - make sure stairs are wide enough for foot and not too steep
mark edges of steps with bright tape or reflective strips position railing on both sides use safety gate at top of stairs install stair lift.
Kitchen
accessibility – check for well marked appliances (stove settings), place commonly used items in easy to reach cupboards, install easy open drawers, purchase or make your own modified utensils (wrapped in foam for better grip), sturdy arm chair
Living Room
clear path - rearrange furniture, remove fragile items, and unsteady furniture
close, organized storage solutions – sturdy stand with place for remote, magazines, books, drinks, etc.
Additional wheel chair modifications:
- ramps
- lifts
- smooth pathways
- wide doorways
- wide hallways
- electric door opener
- table, counters, sinks, adjusted to appropriate height
Other handy accommodations:
- reach extender
- walker
- cane
- walking stick
Some of these home modifications may be accomplished with a quick trip to Walmart or Lowe’s. For other medical equipment needs, check out Edge Medical Supply located at 1331 S Beckham Ave. in Tyler. Used medical supplies such as walkers may also be located in local thrift stores or on Craig’s List. Other more elaborate home modifications may require a friend or even a contractor to help you install them.
Financial Assistance
Always check with your insurance to find out what equipment and modifications they will cover. For installation or construction not covered by insurance, check with local non-profit volunteer organizations such as Faith in Action or Habitat for Humanity. Many of these organizations have developed relationships within the community with contractors, builders, and handymen, or have other qualified volunteers to help with such needs.
Jack Wilson, COO
Habitat for Humanity of Smith County, Inc.
822 W. Front Street
Tyler, TX 75702
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For more information on assistance for home repair or modifications for the elderly please contact
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas
3800 Stone Rd
Kilgore, TX 75662
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01.30.10
Posted in Senior Citizen at 11:16 pm by admin
If you are only looking at the surface, it might appear that all seniors across America favor the Democratic health care plans proposed by President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. That’s because the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) has run an aggressive advertising campaign to promote the agenda. The AARP is the one of the most powerful special interest groups in the United States.
One advertisement was especially polarizing. The commercial, which aired nationally, showed an ambulance driving with sirens blaring. The driver was obviously trying to get to the hospital as soon as possible, but every time he tried to turn, a car cut him off. Every avenue was blocked. The voiceover explained that America desperately needs the health care reform being discussed in Congress, but there were people stopping it. And those obstructionists were making the patients die.
The entire campaign inspired thousands of
seniors to abruptly leave the powerful lobbying group. Why? Because not everybody in the group saw things the way that the AARP leadership did. Millions of the group’s members have wanted nothing to do with the president’s health care plan, sensing it will lead the country toward socialism, something they have seen in action and believe will ultimately harm the country.
The discussion angered many seniors including, not surprisingly, Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain, who urged American seniors to cut up their AARP member cards and send the broken pieces back to the group.
Fortunately, there is choice on every corner in America. There are more choices in America besides the AARP. Most notably, the American Seniors Association (ASA) is specifically geared toward elderly citizens, and the 60 Plus Association is a politically active group for conservative seniors age sixty and over. Both groups bill themselves as alternatives to the giant AARP, which is far larger and more influential.
Recently, the Chairman of the 60 Plus Association, Jim Martin, testified before the GOP Doctors Caucus that the AARP was bias toward President Obama’s health care plan because it would favor their own business practices. Martin said “The AARP makes millions of dollars every year in royalties from selling insurance. They have a vested interest in this reform, but that interest is in their bottom line, not in the best interest of the seniors they supposedly represent.” (quote from www.60plus.org)
Since the election of Scott Brown in Massachusettes, the health care debate has slowed down. There will probably not be a new piece of legislation to reform the health care system for quite a while. The AARP and it’s counterparts will, in the mean time, continue to argue over the future of health care, and how it affects American seniors.
Whatever your political leaning, there is a place for you to add your voice to the discussion. While they may not be politically neutral, the AARP is still going strong for anyone over 50. Their website www.aarp.com is a comprehensive resource center for news, information, and services for seniors. On the other side of the aisle, you can find news, information and services at www.60plus.org and www.americanseniors.org.
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12.01.09
Posted in Nursing home at 11:57 pm by admin
A Nursing Home is already a lonely place, so imagine how much more
lonely it can be around the holiday season? For seniors who have no
family close by, it can be the most depressing time of year. But there
are things you can do to help.
1) Go for a visit. This is obvious, and certainly not everyone will be
able to do this. But remember that above all, your loved one wants to
be with family and friends. Do not underestimate the power of your own
presence in his or her life. You might not think you are very special,
but Grandma sure does!
2) Send notes! Do not just send a regular Christmas card and leave it
there. Everybody sends those. Show her how special she is by hand-
writing cards for her. That is Cards–plural! If you send multiple
letters, it will give her a better feel that you have not forgotten
her. Tell her the details of your life. Even mundane things will
probably be of great interest. Tell about the kids, about how they are
preparing for Christmas. Have them hand-write a message, or draw a
picture especially for her.
3) Give a meaningful gift. In
Texas nursing homes, gifts can be especially
tricky. Residents have limited space. Their laundry is done in masse,
so things easily get lost. And they do not have a whole lot of
privacy. So what can you give? How about something especially
meaningful and personalized like a Potobook or personalized picture
calendar? If you take lots of pictures of the kids, and if you have
some good ones, you can easily order a surprisingly nice personalized
gift through most online services. Photobucket, Shutterfly, and
Snapfish are three of the most common. I prefer Apple’s iPhoto. Each
of these services will easily guide you through a step-by-step process
of plugging your picture into an attractive template and ordering the
product. This is an inexpensive option as well. You can probably order
a calendar for under $20.00. My wife and I ordered calendars featuring
our children for both of our parents years ago, and they loved it. And
they weren’t even in an nursing home, so imagine how much more someone
isolated would enjoy it!
4) Call! Make sure you carve out a good time to talk with your loved
one. It might seem boring for your family, but the sound of your
voices can mean the world to someone who has not seen them in ages.
In short, make your loved one a part of the holiday festivities as
best as you can. Keep them well informed through phone calls, notes
and gifts. That personal touch will do more to warm their hearts than
any old present could!
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11.23.09
Posted in Alzheimer's Disease at 5:49 pm by admin
Caregiving, especially family caregiving, will probably always involve some level of stress. Having a senior depending on you is a demanding job, often requiring twenty-four hour vigilance. But when
Alzheimer’s or other forms of Dementia are involved, the stress and frustration can be magnified for any caregiver.
We have already discussed some very helpful methods of dealing with caregiver stress, and these are tips that will help in dealing with any kind of senior illness, including Alzheimer’s. But one of those tips might be more important for caregivers of memory impaired patients: The support group.
The very idea of support groups can be off putting for many people. The term conjures up images of circles of people who have to share their feelings, like at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. It’s an easy picture to reject. After all, care giving is a good thing. It isn’t an illness or addiction to be worked through. And when all is said and done, you will be fine, right?
Maybe. But Alzheimer’s and Dementia are complex problems with no clear solution. Nobody knows how to perfectly navigate the issues of memory loss, or the ripple effects they can cause in a family. And because it’s so complex, many feel like they are alone. They sense their efforts are not helping, and they ultimately get so stressed out that they burn out.
Support groups can be a wonderful source of information for caregivers. They are very often part of the “pipelines” of new research and strategies for dealing with the disease. Many are linked directly with groups like the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), which is on the forefront of research, fund raising and information on memory loss.
But the real reason people need support groups is that people need people. And not just any people will do. They need to be around people who understand what they are dealing with. People who have no emotional entanglements with their situation. People who will not judge them. Support groups provide these people. Caregivers can let their guard down and “be real” with other human beings who won’t think less of them for feeling exhausted, helpless or resentful, because they are or have been in the same situation. And if they have come through, they can offer the kind of human insight that no website or book could ever provide.
If you are a care giver for a senior with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you owe it to yourself to find a support network. It will help and your family. Residents of Smith County Texas who are looking for a support group can download a list of groups and schedules at the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County website.
Residents of the greater Dallas area should go to this page instead. Alzheimer’s support groups for all other regions in the US should go to www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp .
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11.15.09
Posted in Home Health Care at 1:10 am by admin
How to Help your Dependent Senior Live more Independently
Transitioning from family relationships into the roles of caregiver and care recipient can dramatically change the relational dynamics. A common mistake most caregivers make is doing too much for their loved one. Encouraging your loved one to maintain independence as much as possible while maintaining reasonable expectations will relieve your own burden, improve her sense of dignity, and encourage her physical mobility. Here are a few ways you can do this.
- Maintain reasonable expectations. Expect your loved one to participate in her own care as much as she is able. It’s tempting to rush in and help immediately, but unless your loved one is in trouble, giving wait time can convince her she can handle the task at hand herself. This can be difficult especially if your loved one is feeling helpless or frustrated with her loss of ability, but successful independence even in little tasks will add to her overall sense of autonomy. Encourage and applaud every success and effort.
- Provide something for your loved one to tend or care for like a pet or a plant. Some studies have shown that having something depend on you can prolong life. Just be sure she is really able to provide the necessary care and it will not become another task you need to add to your to-do list.
- Rearranging the home and using assistive devices may help your loved one move around with greater ease independently without the use of traditional Texas elderly care like assisted living, and nursing homes. Move her to a bedroom closer to the bathroom, add a hand railing in the hallway, a chair lift on the stairs, a shower chair or raised toilet seat in the bathroom. Even the simpler devices, like a button hook, or velcro closures on clothing and shoes could make a major difference in allowing your loved one to dress herself.
- Planning outings and social interaction is essential to preventing depression and feelings of isolation, or worthlessness. Allow your loved one to choose locations, and schedule regular visits with family and friends. Asking them to put a date on the calendar and following up with a phone call a day before is a great way to make sure they remember.
- Encourage good hygiene and personal maintenance, such as shaving and regular hair cuts. This is important to your loved one’s sense of dignity.
- Regular exercise will go a long way to maintaining mobility and independence. Consistency is more important than intensity or length of workout. Work toward increasing large muscle movement, but recognize that even small movements on a regular basis will help your loved one to maintain and improve overall muscle tone, allowing her to do more on her own.
- Allowing your loved one to make her own choices as much as possible will give her a sense of control and autonomy. Encourage her to choose bed time, clothing, hobbies, reading, entertainment, and activities.
These simple choices and responsibilities can make a huge difference in the life of an aging loved one. They can help fend off the sense of helpless and depression that can so easily creep in.
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11.09.09
Posted in Elder Care at 3:00 pm by admin
Caregiving is an incredibly noble pursuit. It’s also one of the most intensive, exhausting jobs a person will undertake. Because of changes in home and family dynamics, added financial concerns, and a lack of support, caregivers often experience heightened stress and exhaustion. When unchecked, high stress levels and sleep deprivation can lead to burnout and health problems. Burn out prevents you from safely and effectively caring for your loved one.
Signs of caregiver burnout:
Exhaustion
Helplessness
Irritability
Apathy
Cynicism
Anger
Resentment
Depression
Feelings of isolation
Uncontrollable crying
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Fear or Paranoia
Deteriorating health
Increased frustration
Hopelessness
The good news? Caregiver burnout is avoidable. The following tips will help you maintain good health and a positive outlook, making the caregiving experience positive for you and your loved one.
Tips for avoiding Caregiver burnout:
- Eat properly, sleep adequately, and exercise regularly. These three are foundational to improve and maintain your mental, emotional, and physical health.
- Schedule time for the things you enjoy. Participating in hobbies, social events, and other enjoyable activities are great stress relievers and are essential to keep you mentally and emotionally recharged.
- Learn as much as possible about your loved one’s condition or disease. Being familiar with symptoms, treatments, and language associated with his illness will help you feel more comfortable and confident in properly caring for and advocating for him.
- Ask for help from family and friends. Even those who may not feel comfortable taking your loved one out or coming in to sit with him for an hour, would be glad to bring a meal or help with house cleaning. And when people ask to help, accept it! If no one is available, take advantage of a local Adult Day Care Service, and relax knowing he is being tended by knowledgeable caregivers.
- Find a listening ear. Join a support group, find a counsellor, or grab a supportive friend and express your frustrations, feelings, and struggles.
- Keep lists and checklists handy to help you prioritize to-do lists and organize medicines, special diets, and emergency contacts.
- Laugh every day. Laughter really is the best medicine to relieve stress, boost your immune system, and keep a hopeful outlook. Keep lighthearted, fun reading materials close at hand. Find humor in the day-to-day. Watch a comedy. Surround yourself with positive, encouraging people.
- Learn to say “No” to other demands that add to your stress level. People may just need to be reminded that your loved one depends on you for full-time care.
- Encourage your loved one to maintain independence as much as possible. A common mistake most caregivers make is doing too much for their loved one. Maintaining reasonable expectations will relieve your own burden, improve his sense of dignity, and encourage his physical mobility.
Balance is really the key for a caregiver. It is just too easy for caregivers to go overboard, accepting every responsibility that comes their way, feeling like a failure if they take any time for themselves. By implementing some of these ideas into your daily routines, you are helping yourself stay balanced. These tips won’t insure a stress-free life by any means, but they might just help you stay sane and happy.
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11.04.09
Posted in Scams at 11:48 am by admin
Don’t Fall For a Too Good To Be True Ploy
The Mobile Phone has become a staple in society and a symbol of the
digital world. But not everybody uses them. Senior adults often find
them infuriating. The buttons are too small, the screen is too dim,
and the icons and options are overwhelming. Many would rather bring
change for a pay phone than carry one.
With this in mind, one company has launched a massive campaign for its
senior friendly phone: The Jitterbug. The premise is simple: It’s a no-
contract phone with a tenth of the functionality but twice the price.
We’ll look at the positives first. There is no contract that a senior
will get locked into. The numbers and the display really do make
calling easier for people with vision loss. And the fact that there
are “old time style” operators that can assist not only with directory
assistance but with calling from the customer’s own contact list is
appealing to many.
But the cost of using a Jitterbug is simply way, way too expensive for
what it gives you. The phone itself is $147, and their rate plans
start at $14.99 for 50 minutes per month. That is a total of more than
$0.30 per minute! And unlike every other major cell phone service,
there are no Nights and Weekend minutes or mobile to mobile
privileges. The only conceivable reason anyone would buy this plan is
for emergencies.
The more popular plans are $29.99 for 200 minutes, $39.99 for 300
minutes, $49.99 for 500, $59.99 for 700, and $79.99 for 1000. Each of
these include 500 Nights & Weekend minutes and no mobile to mobile
minutes. For those who are familiar with cell phone pricing, this is
obviously and unnecessarily expensive. Basic cell phone service for
AT&T begins at $39.99 for 450 minutes. 5000 (that’s thousand, not
hundred) Nights and Weekend minutes, and unlimited Mobile to Mobile.
And from there, the deals get better, offering unlimited talking time
on nights and weekends.
What does this mean for Seniors? With a little help from their loved
ones (people like you), they could get set up with a cell phone with
simple functionality, big buttons, and much, much more freedom to call
when they need to. Many of the big-button older phones are still
available online and can easily be set up for service. And I can
guarantee you they’re not going to charge anywhere near $147!
The funny thing about Jitterbug’s tiny calling allowances is that most
seniors I know enjoy talking on the phone to their families. If the
point is to give them freedom, why not give them more minutes to
actually exercise that freedom? Wouldn’t that be better?
But Jitterbug is more concerned with condescending to Seniors and
bilking them for all their worth. The Jitterbug is dramatically
overpriced, but many will pay it, because the man on the TV said it
was a good deal. But it is not a good deal.
If your loved one is considering buying a Jitterbug, make sure they
understand what they’re getting into, and present them with options.
If they have plenty of money, it’s not going to be a big deal. But
most are on a fixed income, and could do without the bilking, thank
you very much!
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Posted in Elderly Care at 11:37 am by admin
Although nobody is ever excited about putting their loved ones in a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility, many people are too quick to do so when they see things going poorly. They assume that just because their loved one’s health and independence are wearing down that they have to completely alter their environment. This is especially true of families who live a little a little ways away from their aging parents.
Here’s a common scenario: a senior begins to have trouble with IADL’s (Instrumental Activities for Daily Living) like cooking and driving. his eyesight is wearing down, and he gets tired too quickly to stand for an hour in the kitchen. The family gets really concerned. They’re not close enough to help him, so they reach for a phone book to find an Assisted Living Home.
If you are one of those family members, you might be overreacting. Does your parent or grandparent’s limitations actually warrant full- time care? Or is there another way to help manage his newfound limitations?
Most communities across the US have built their own network of volunteer services for seniors. These services can be of huge assistance for your loved one. Even though you can’t be there to give him rides or prepare his meals, there might be other people who can. Here are a few examples:
■ Meals-on-Wheels is a national program that offers home delivery of lunches to seniors who are not able to drive themselves. This is an excellent program, and one that is perfect for elders who need assistance but not supervision.
■ Friendly visitor programsSometimes a senior citizen just needs a ride to the supermarket and a friendly conversation to remind him that he isn’t alone. The Friendly Visitor program is designed with that kind of person in mind–a person who does not have family living close by, but who needs the benefits that come from personal contact. These volunteers are good people who want to help however they can.
■ Senior centers Sometimes we are quick to overlook Senior Centers as a healthy, vibrant part of the senior community. Not only are senior centers fun places to network and develop a social life, they are also hubs for all kinds of Elder Care information, including these very valuable Volunteer Services and many, many others. Could your loved one use these services? Would meal deliveries and friendly visitors help to minimize his impairments? Would a senior center help him find new avenues for friendship and functionality? If so, then you should probably take a breath and HOLD OFF on the Assisted Living Option. After all, if there is a way for him to maintain his independence, don’t you owe it to him to help him do that?
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10.19.09
Posted in Elderly Care at 12:11 pm by admin
My grandfather is over 90 now. The man has lived a full life. He
raised four children, served in WWII, and built up a massive, lush
garden at his home in Canada. And today, he has grand-children and
great-grandchildren scattered all across the United States and Canada.
But there’s a problem. He has lost nearly all of his eyesight, and
much of his mobility. His garden is gone, and he often doesn’t know
what to do with himself. Does this sound familiar?
Last time I saw him and grandma, they had moved into an assisted
living community. It was sad to see them out of their house, but I was
glad to see that he had started using computers. Alot. He showed me a
website where he has connected with his old military buddies who had
also served on a nondescript North Pacific island during the war. The
men reminisced, swapping old pictures and stories that only they could
fully appreciate.
His computer use certainly doesn’t stop there. Grandpa constantly uses
email, and is always on the prowl for some useful bit of information
on the web, from new developments in technology to the latest
conspiracy theories abroad.
According to a recent study by the PEW Research center, my grandpa
isn’t alone. Internet use by seniors is dramatically on the rise.
Acquisition of high speed internet connections rose from 26% to 45%
among seniors ages 70-76. That’s a rise of nearly 80%, easily the
highest of any demographic.
This could be a significant trend. Seniors have been stereotyped as
being intimidated and inept at dealing with technology. And many still
are. Some will stick with their stack of magazines and their telephone
and never bother to take the leap. But, as the study shows, more and
more elders are finding reasons to sign on. Social Network sites like
Facebook are starting to hit the mark with seniors, too, and it only
makes sense. If a 30 year old can have a rush of nostalgia when he
receives a friend request from an old high school buddy, imagine the
possibilities for a someone more than twice his age!
The biggest draw into the digital age might be data speed increases.
With broadband, seniors are able to use Skype or iChat to talk face to
face with their grandchildren. That is reason enough for some seniors
to buy a computer in the first place! And beyond webcams, who has time
to get bored with 15 Mbps transfer rates?
Getting your loved one connected may take a bit of arm twisting, but
it can yield big benefits. One study showed depression showed a 20%
drop in senior depression among those who are active on the internet.
Before you dismiss that, just think about how much it can lift your
spirits to connect with your friends and family. For someone who can
hardly see and who can’t get out anymore, the effect is doubled.
If you’re trying to convince your loved one that they ought to get
online, don’t go for the “limitless possibilities” angle. That works
for you and I, but it won’t likely work for them. What does work is
the relationship angle. Our generation puts a higher value on
entertainment than relationship. Not so with our parents and
grandparents. Let them see the possibilities to reconnect with
friends, stay current with family, and make new friends who can relate
to their past experiences and current situations.
Then, make the process as simple as it can possibly get. Get as many
icons off the desktop as you can. Increase font and icon size, and
adjust the brightness and contrast (this is the only way my grandpa
can read anything). Hook up the camera and set up a Skype or iChat
account, and make sure their usernames and passwords are saved and
will be entered automatically. Then, help them find avenues for
networking. Get their Facebook account up and running. Show them how
to add pictures with a click, and how to search for old classmates.
Once the digital world becomes relevant to their stage of life, they
will be off and running. Now just be prepared for your new job as a
technical support specialist.
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