“HOSPITAL AT HOME” – a new medical benefit for the geezer!!!
Posted: July 19, 2014 Filed under: geezerAdapts, geezerHealth, New Mexico, Uncategorized Leave a comment »On July 17th Presbyterian Health Services, which I had joined in January 2014, sent a nurse-practioner to visit my wife and me in our home. She explained that they were just trying to set up a data base for us and see if there was anything we needed. They come once a year if you want. It is an interview, not a physical. Naturally, when she searched our names, there was not much in our data-base.
I will have them come each year because:
1. She checked the medicines we were taking, called our druggist and called our primary care doctors. There were a few things that needed to be sorted out. Old people frequently take too much medicine and don’t know what it is for. There are also a lot of unexpected interactions and the amount you take makes a difference.
2. She suggested several programs for us including Silver Sneakers.
3. She took our blood pressure and listened to our heart beat. She asked questions about our life-style and general health. She spent several hours with us.
4. We will be able to access our records on our computer anywhere in the world. So, when we travel and get sick, we can pull up our records for the physician who treats us in some foreign country. I haven’t tried this, but will report when I get my access information.
5. Most importantly she told us about a program that Presbyterian has called “Hospital at Home.” If you meet the requirements, you can elect, hopefully in the emergency room, to either be admitted to the hospital or be sent home. If you are sent home, a doctor visits you once a day, a nurse up to 3 times a day, you are monitored, and they deliver the equipment and drugs you need. The hospital benefits because it is 32% cheaper; you benefit because you are not in the hospital. I haven’t tried it, but will if the need ever arises. It probably helps to have a spouse, significant other, or caring neighbor.
You can read more about this in USAToday.
The geezer is becoming more aware of his health and the role he has to play. My idea is to be comfortable and pain-free. I haven’t figured out any way to live forever, but am working on it.
At a few weeks shy of 74, based on my present condition, my genes, my family history, etc., I can expect ten “good” years; ten “so-so” years; and, 4 years in the “home.” So….
LONG-TERM CARE – Find out what it’s like and do some good.
Posted: March 13, 2014 Filed under: geezerAdapts, Uncategorized Leave a comment »
Most old people don’t have a clue about long-term care facilities. They don’t have any idea what they want or where they want to be. They don’t want to think about it. As a result, their children or spouse has to made an ignorant last-minute decision. And, you are the one, who at an old age, with physical and/or mental problems, find yourself stuck in a new and scary environment.
Just because you are old doesn’t mean that you can’t find out what long-term care facilities are like.
No one wants to look for an assisted living facility or nursing home if they don’t have to.
What you should do now is volunteer as an Ombudsman. Every state is required by law to have an Ombudsman program. Basically you as a volunteer are trained and then assigned to one or more facilities which you visit on a regular basis. You talk to the owners, caregivers, family and residents.
You provide an official presence, which helps to keep the facilities on their toes. You report any complaints, abuses or problems that the residents have. You may be the only person who visits them.
The benefit to you, besides doing something good and worthwhile, is that you get a first-hand look at a variety of places. You learn the level of care; you see the problems; and, you can compare large and small facilities. You are prepared to make a decision.
Interested? Check the Ombudsman website for a list of ombudsmen by state and a description of what an ombudsman does. Call them and tell them you want to volunteer. You can be any age, even though most of them seem to be about my age, or older. You can set your own schedule.
You are old, not stupid. Take charge of your life.
You need to know; and, you need to help.
When you end up in the “home,” you want to make friends with your Ombudsman.
Polygamy and Seniors? More wives for the geezer???
Posted: March 1, 2014 Filed under: geezerAdapts, Uncategorized Leave a comment »The New York Times had an article that got me to thinking about old age and the “next frontier:” Polygamy for old people. The article involved a law suit in Las Vegas that approved cohabitation that seems to amount to polygamy; one man, four women and 17 children. Maybe that is the answer to old age.
There are many more women over 70 than men. And, it gets “better,” or “worse” as you grow older. However, perhaps we should thing about it for a bit.
It would be cheaper. Most of us live in homes too big for us. One home for five people would cut down on housing expenses.
There would always be someone to look after you, hopefully.
Think of up to 10 children and 30+ grandchildren moving back into the next.
Think of the inheritance problems.
Hopefully, one of the wives would be young and could still drive.
How would you divide up the chores?
If one dies, could you bring in a new “spouse?”
Could you get a long-term care policy with four wives?
Would you have to be licensed as a long-term care facility?
What about zoning ordinances for single family residences?
Any chance of four marriage licenses?
What benefits could you tap?
A discount from Meals on Wheels?
If you spaced the wives correctly, there could always be a designated “care giver.”
Anyway, since this is an irreverent guide to aging, I thought I would bring it up as an alternative. Something is going to have to happen with 10,000 people a day turning 65. And, with the next generation not being financially prepared for old age, we might be back to communes, which we all remember.
If the 60’s could give us communes; and, if all the flower children are in their 70’s…. One thing about us, is we haven’t forgotten our youth. Imagine Hog Farm for seniors! I need to revisit Llano, New Mexico. It’s been 50 years.
My wife is not interested.
My Kind of Retirement?
Posted: January 7, 2014 Filed under: geezerAdapts, geezerTrips, Uncategorized | Tags: geezer, Mars, retirement Leave a comment »Are you over 50, retired and bored? AARP has a suggestion: Mars
Today, they suggested Mars. It appears the ideal couple for this trip is over 50 and has been married long enough to get the kinks out. And since the round trip is only 501 days, if done in 2017, it is less time than you would spend with the Peace Corps. There are probably a few risks, but the Geezer, at 73, is already facing a few risks. Old age is the ideal time for new risks, a lot like your late teens and early 20’s.
There are a lot of plusses. Once you went through Mars “training” you would be in great shape. Your grandkids would really think you were “cool.” All social security could be banked/invested. It beats assisted living. You would have a lifetime of stories and could not only hit all the talk shows, but could “eat” off of your experience for the rest of your life. Any dementia, could be explained by the trip. You might run into a few aliens. And, of course, after the initial phases, it could solve the problem of what to do with old people; send them to Mars.
I can’t see a downside; and, at 73, that’s saying a lot. I expect a call from the Mar’s Mission at any moment.
DWO (Driving While Old) – Is the geezer ready for this?
Posted: December 14, 2013 Filed under: geezerAdapts, geezerHealth, Uncategorized Leave a comment »In today’s New York Times there is a very good article about DWO (driving while old) and the role of driving rehabilitation specialists. The article contains a number of references to web sites, including an informative one describing the resources available in each state. It also describes what a driving rehabilitation specialist does and provides a link to the national organization.
The article made me aware, once again, of the increasing number of old people, their driving habits, their accident rates and the steps being taken to “help” them. It was informative, but appeared to be written from the point of view of someone under 65; which is probably good, as people over 65 become very defensive about their age, their ability to drive, and what they see in the mirrors every day: both the car mirror and the bathroom mirror.
It takes one to know one. I have discovered since I turned 65, that maybe I think a bit differently about things. Intellectually, I understand that I am getting older; as a practical matter, I fight it; helped along but any number of businesses that know just what I need. I may be more of a rebel than when I was in my teens. I won’t give anyone the least excuse to curtail my driving “privileges.”
I have taken the AARP Senior Driver Safety Class twice. The certificate is good for three years and you get a discount on car insurance. It lasts for four hours, has some good suggestions, makes you think a bit, and is a good refresher. It is non-threatening and everyone passes. It is something positive to have in your records and you can use it as an argument as to why you should not be evaluated; and, why you should continue to drive.
The geezer worries:
- If the driving evaluation results are negative, and I still drive, can that be used against me in a lawsuit resulting from an accident.
- What happens to a negative evaluation? You can’t reason with me when I need to drive.
- I am very sensitive to finding out and having documented, just how infirm I am and actually knowing what I can and cannot do. Some choices I do not want to make.
- In a perfect world, this would be fine, but I think I have to drive and have no acceptable alternatives; so, I am not about to do anything that would give anyone any reason to take my keys.
- Would the driving rehabilitation specialist report to DMV; to my kids; or, to my insurance company?
I
- am deaf
- after 40 years of driving with glasses, passed the MVD vision test and am not required to wear glasses. I am a bit nervous, as I am not sure of my vision. In an abundance of caution, I wear prescription glasses when driving; can see the road and signs much better; but would hate to be required to wear glasses again.
- am unhappy that I can only get a five-year license, instead of the ten-year license that I used to get.
- avoid driving with my kids when they visit; I let them drive. I remember my father missing turns, stop signs and not seeing other cars. No need to alert my children, who were raised to be responsible and who would take my keys, not to mention my car, to my increasing deficiencies.
- am careful about driving on free-ways, especially during rush hour or after dark.
- know all the side streets to get where I want to go, so as to avoid traffic and cops.
- am carefull about drinking
- am very aware that people under 65 think of me as a dangerous, but slow, old man.
- get obnoxious when I hear anything that might affect me just because I am old.
In conclusion, how do you convince me that I should be evaluated?
Remember, even though you are young, you are dealing with the GEEZER!
OODA Loop – For Seniors!
Posted: January 7, 2013 Filed under: geezerAdapts, geezerFinance, geezerHealth Leave a comment »OODA Loop: observe, orient, decide, act.
On Sunday, Thomas Friedman,* in the New York Times, described the airforce training principle for use in arial dogfights. Dogfight? Why does the Geezer immediately think of old age and fellow seniors?
Observe where you are, who you are and what your situation is. A mirror helps. List. Don’t judge at this point; just observe reality, not hopes or fears. Where are you in real time?
Orient yourself using a “senior compass.” Focus on health, economics, family, resources, life expectancy , dementia probabliity, insurance, and any factors unique to you; all the while looking in the mirror. Locate where you are in relation to these factors.
Decide what you are going to do: downsize, move, sell, get a roommate, hospice, long-term care facility. Your decision is based on your observations and orientation; not on what someone else does. The decision should be taken in consultation with your “WingMan.” Test your decision by asking: What happens if I do nothing? Where do I end up?
Act on your decision. You can make adjustments along the way, but you will have a plan thought out; hopefully prior to senility.
Now you are ready for battle; and, old age is a battle. Your goal is to increase the odds of a pleasant and reasonable old age. It will not be perfect, but will be better than “winging it.” Your “OODA Loop needs to be better than the OODA Loop of old age.
You need a wingman!
*http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/opinion/sunday/friedman-more-risk-taking-less-poll-taking.html