Old age is no place for sissies.– Bette Davis
My Dad taking a rest.
I am presently spending time with my dad who will be turning 91 this year! He lives in an assisted living home where they can maintain their independence yet be somewhere nears others and any emergency help that they may need. It is very convenient in that they have all of their meals prepared for them in the cafeteria with a friendly staff. I have been staying here with my dad now and have done so on a couple of previous occasions and as I have shared before, I have gotten to know some of the residence who have been here for a while.
Last night my dad had a little fall as he was trying to put his dog on the bed for the night. Our balance is something that most of us take for granted, we bend down, we get back up, we push, pull turn and swivel with ease and take much of our movements for granted. But as one is getting older, staying on your feet becomes every day more and more of a challenge. Any physical difficulty that we face in life can become a struggle and frustration. I know as I too have an ear that has lost a good part of its hearing! It all happened in a day and I have since have had a problem hearing from that one side. It has caused me no end of frustration to have experienced this lack. Another common problem are your eyes when it becomes difficult to read up close, it can be troubling to say the least.
A sign in the room!
When you get to my dad’s age there is no end of difficulties that you face on a daily basis, such as the tumble he took which gave him a wound that is now needing attention. I appreciate this time with my dad each year, as I know he needs this attention! But along with this, it is also a hep to me to see how important it is to be sensitive to the elderly and their needs. It is so very frustrating for them to be faced with daily crisis that keeps them on edge.
We need to learn to appreciate each day for the bleeding that it is and the fact that we can do so much! The day will come that we will be in need of that extra consideration and a helping hand!
