 | Charlie Lessons from Experience |
| Charlie Lessons from Experience |
Part 1 dealt mainly with couples, or where there was a relationship between a caregiver and care receiver. Part 2 addresses the person that lives alone. I recommend that you reread Part 1, as many portions applicable to both parts are not repeated here.
Recently one of our dear members who lived very comfortably alone developed dementia. This can happen to any of us, and like dying, many do not like to think ahout it. There is a difference between the two. When you die, you are dead, and it is hoped that you have taken the necessary actions for your final arrangements. Dementia presents a different situation. First, it generally develops slowly. By the time you really need help, you do not have the capabilities to do anything about it. Now you need more help than ever to continue to live. You lack the ability to clearly express your desire on critical health issues.
You should note that, for people our age (over 70) long term health care insurance is no longer affordable. Refer back to Part 1 to see what you need to do so that others will know what you want done for you when you can no longer speak for yourself.
Do you have a close friend or relation that checks on you frequently? If not, this should be your number one priority. When all else fails, you may need help from a social service agency.
The bad news is that the above two scenarios (death and dementia) are not the only ones you need to be concerned about and plan for. There is not a shortage of horror stories about a single person needing help at home, and nobody knows it.
How could this happen! Even those who are hale and hearty have a stroke or heart attack without warning. Many of us old-timers have a tendency to fall. Many broken hips are caused by people just getting out of a chair. I do not know what thoughts go through a person's mind as they lay disabled, just out of reach of the phone, and hours and days go by without any one knowing. There are various services you can subscribe to where you can press a device that you wear to summon help. Another approach is to have somebody phone or check up on you at least once a day.
The good news is that help has arrived. But what should they do if you are unable to speak for yourself? Refer back to Part 1 concerning all of the paper work you should have done. But who knows where those papers are? Your relative or friend may know, but they may not be present when help arrives. You may wish to make copies of necessary paper work. Place them in a sealed envelope marked "To be opened only in a medical emergency". This envelope may be given to your apartment resident manager, or placed in a conspicuous location in your home.
There is the old saying: "You can only be certain about two things: taxes and death." We do not like either one, but we can plan for them. Your planning may be your greatest gift to your loved ones by relieving them of many details and headaches at a critical and emotional time.
