The fact that she might not know them seemed to have no bearing upon the youngsters, who began visiting her at the nursing home when they were 2- and 6-years old.  They were 8 and 12 when she passed away. 

Image:sxc.hu

To the younger child, Mother’s ramblings were a language he said only he understood.  “Grandma talk to me,” he said, when I wondered what she was saying. 

When asked why she visited a great grandmother who didn’t know her, my granddaughter once replied, “Because it makes Grandma happy.”

Often we think we must shelter the young from illnesses like Alzheimer’s and other conditions of the elderly.  However, these are a fact of life and often seem easier for youngsters to accept than adults.

My mother has been gone for a number of years, yet her great grandchildren remember her with fondness and talk of our visits to the nursing home, highlighted by tea parties.

Post from: Blisstree

Children and the Elderly

Finding caregiver support groups in your area, or online, can be a challenge.  Here are a few suggestions.

Check out the following places in your community to see if they have a support group or know of any:

• Home health agencies
• Senior Center
• Local Hospital
• Local Nursing homes
• State Alzheimer’s Association
• State Department of the Elderly or Family Services
• Others caring for elderly parents or spouses

If there is nothing in your community, the groups meet when you’re at work, or you live too far from an organized community, you might want to check out online support groups.  Also, by reading blogs about Alzheimer’s caregiving and leaving comments that the blogger and other readers might answer, you’ll feel more connected with the caregiver community and not so alone.

What suggestions do you have? Are there particular caregiver groups/organizations you find particularly helpful.

Post from: Blisstree

Finding Caregiver Support Groups

• African-Americans were 69 percent as likely as Caucasians to be transferred to hospitals that could offer appropriate treatment.
• Hispanics were 53 percent as likely as Caucasians.
• Women were 84 percent as likely as men.
• People ages 65-69 were 25 percent as likely as those 85 to 90.

Are doctors and other healthcare professionals deliberately discriminating against certain patients? Unlikely. But the reasons for these disparities must be found and addressed. Otherwise, you, me, and other people we know will suffer needlessly.

The New York Times, March 21, 2006

Post from: Blisstree

Care After Heart Attack Not Fair