We give and receive gifts year-round. As we age and arthritis starts to creep into the fingers, though, unwrapping a paper-wrapped gift with tape all over it becomes more difficult. I became aware of this, earlier on, with my grandparents and parents. And now, it's becoming a reality for me as well. So, today, I'm presenting a few tips that may help you or the seniors in your life. image courtesy of freestocks via Unsplash Gifts wrapped with paper are easier to unwrap if less tape is used, allowing enough room for the finger to slip into the overlap and tear the paper. Place gift inside a decorative box with gift tissue or confetti to conceal the gift under the lid. No tape required! Place gift inside a decorative bag with gift tissue over the gift to hide it. No tape required! We all like to surprise the recipient of our gifts, but there are easier presentations than taped up paper. This is not only easier for the senior for unwrapping purposes, but it's also easier for t...
Appointments
If you're in charge of appointments for a senior or you're a senior who needs someone to be in charge of your appointments, then timing appointments appropriately for both parties needs to be considered. Below are important things to remember in order to have as balanced a life as possible.
Calendar Synchronization Required
First, a senior has many types of appointments - doctor's appointments (eyes, dental, and medical), hair appointments, home improvement appointments, in-home physical therapy appointments, possibly veterinary appointments for their pets, etc. There is no avoiding appointments in life no matter your age. And this doubles or triples if you are the caretaker for one or two seniors. So, having synchronized calendars is a big help. All appointments for the seniors and the caretaker need to be placed on the calendars of everyone involved. The caregiver should always have a calendar with her - either a phone calendar or a pocket calendar that has all appointments listed - so she can approve or reject/reschedule appointments that are made in her presence.
Phone Numbers Needed
Next, the caretaker needs the phone numbers for all the places the senior has appointments with so she can reschedule appointments if an emergency comes up in her own life. Of course, the senior needs to be involved with the rescheduling if time permits. But in the event that the senior can't be reached or time doesn't permit, it will be important to know which days and times of day the senior prefers to have her specific appointments so the caretaker can take care of that in such an event. The senior should also let the caretaker know right away if he/she has changed an upcoming appointment so she can re-arrange her personal schedule. And then re-sync the calendars as soon as possible. Bonus tip: Add the phone numbers under the appointments they coincides with. This will make the process go more smoothly.
Know How to Get to the Appointments
There is a chance that the senior may not quite remember how to get to regular appointments. Trust me; it happens. Or the senior has an appointment at a new location and has no idea how to get there.
There are many ways you can find out how to get to appointments on time. One, you can look up the address and look at the directions (and familiar landmarks) on Google maps or MapQuest. Second, you can call the office and ask for directions from the direction you'll be coming from. Or third, you can use your phone's voice navigation system. I usually do all three just to be sure.
And even if you're fairly certain you know where the appointment is located, it's always a good idea to arrive at the senior's home early. This can be about 30 minutes earlier than it is expected to get from the senior's home to the appointment so you'll have time to adjust any direction errors.
Arrive to Appointments on Time
Bonus tips: If the senior has mobility issues, the caretaker may need to arrive earlier anyway so he/she can assist the senior with such activities such as dressing, eating, finding paperwork or other important items, walking or being wheeled to the vehicle. I used to show up about 2 to 3 hours before appointments so I could assist my seniors for an hour or so then leave to be able to get to the appointments on time. Remember, the senior also will need help into the establishment so allow time for that as well.
I liked to show up at the appointment location about 15 minutes early to allow for my senior's mobility limits that I needed to assist with. For instance, there are several steps to prepare a wheelchair for the senior to sit down in - (1) remove it from the vehicle, (2) unfold it, (3) put the foot rests on but in the up position, (4) if you have a padded cushion, place that in the seat, (5) roll the wheelchair to the passenger door, leaving enough room for the senior to get out of the vehicle but close enough so the senior doesn't have to move very much, (6) lock the wheels on the wheelchair, (7) help the senior out of the vehicle (either hold the door so he/she can pull themselves up or physically help them), (8) help the senior slowly turn and back into the wheelchair and tell them when it's safe for them to sit. (9) put the foot pedals in the down position and place the senior's feet onto them. (10) unlock the wheelchair and go into the appointment.
If you do get behind schedule for some reason (again, trust me; it happens despite your best attempts), I recommend calling the establishment to let them know you're running late and ask if it's okay to go ahead and bring the senior or if you should reschedule. If they allow you to go ahead and bring the senior, as soon as you arrive, run inside yourself, check in the senior, and let the staff know you'll have the senior inside shortly.
Extended Outings?
Scheduling back-to-back appointments or an extended outing for shopping or other errands is recommended only if the senior is physically able to and if the caretaker has time. If either is unable, perhaps the senior will allow the caretaker to pick up items or make phone calls on their behalf once the caretaker has time to do so.
#schedule
#calendar
Praying for you and your senior,
Patricia
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