Nintendo Wii: A Perfect Present for Seniors

By now, you have probably heard stories about how the Nintendo Wii has become a big hit in the world of Elder Care world. And it’s true. If you look around at your local Senior Center or Retirement Community, chances are, you will find a Nintendo Wii. And there might even be a line!

So, why Wii? Why now?

The Nintendo Wii is completely different than previous video games. The controls are not primarily based on pushing tiny buttons, but on motion. The player holds on to a control (sometimes one in each hand) and simulates the movement of the “virtual” player on the screen. In this way, people can “play” tennis without ever stepping out on a court, or bowl a twelve pound bowling ball even if they haven’t been inside a bowling alley in tweny years!

Kids love the Wii, of course, but seniors are maybe the ones who are most impressed.

Many therapists are starting to use the system in their practice, because it is a simple and fun way to encourage muscular motion. Some have dubbed it “Wii-hab.” The trend has stayed true in Oregon. Seniors all over the state have gotten into the game for exercise, entertainment, and even competition!

The Nintendo Wii retails for around $200, and the games range from $20 for simpler games to more than $80 for a game like Wii Fit, which includes a high-tech “Balance Board,” which is necessary for many of the activities.

The Wii makes an ideal Christmas present for grandparents, especially those who wish they could be more active. And the biggest plus of all could be this: the Wii could be an ideal place for grandpa to rub shoulders with his grandkids.

The End of Senior Driving: Helping Mom Hang up the Keys

When is it time to help mom or dad hang up the car keys for good? How do you bring up this sensitive topic to a loved one who is otherwise fairly independent? This is one we struggled with when my own mother had two accidents in short succession and sustained broken bones.

Depending on your loved one’s abilities, sometimes gradually decreasing driving is easier to swallow than removing driving rights all together. If they live in an Assisted Living facility, this should not be a great problem, as they will be able to take advantage of transportation assistance. But if they are independent, they don’t usually see that their driving skills have diminished. Encourage them to limit driving to a few local sites, and offer other transportation options for any appointments or errands which require longer distance or more skillful navigation (congested cities, higher speed highways, unfamiliar routes, etc.).

Before entering discussion with a loved one, do a little research on local transportation services, willing friends or family or volunteer services (if you are unable to provide transportation on a regular basis) so you’ll be able to present reasonable solutions that preserve their independence and dignity. Lovingly breach the topic, clearly expressing that their safety is your primary concern.

Action points:

1. Post a listing near their phone including
-local transportation services
-the names and numbers of willing family, friends, or volunteer services.

2. For really extreme cases, contact your local Department of Transportation. (Usually, if you are honest early on, it won’t come to this. Don’t let it get this far! Don’t be afraid to tell mom that she’s scaring you.)

Caring for your Parent at Home?

When the family conversation of “what to do with grandma” comes up, one irritating question will inevitably raised by one of the children: “Why can’t Grandma come live with us?” The question bounces off the ceiling, all four walls, and finally lays to rest on the kitchen table before someone works up the warrior courage to say, “Sweetheart, I don’t think that would work.”

The home care invitation option is intensely personal. It often comes up when an elder is suddenly left alone following the death of a spouse. Suddenly there are new concerns: How will Dad cook his meals? How will Grandma go to town without Grandpa to drive? What if something happens to her?

This type of non-medical home care is often dismissed right away, even though it is far less expensive and less complicated than any Assisted Living facility. So why do people turn it down so quickly? Because of the relational problems.

Family relationships are complicated and full of baggage. Throw in general personality conflicts and limited space issues, and you might have a recipe for disaster. This is NOT an option for everyone.

But too many people dismiss the idea without considering the positives. Bringing your elderly loved one into your home has many potential benefits. They would be cared for, for starters. With the help of you and your family, there’s no need to worry about them living alone and barely being able to manage. You could keep them out of the driver seat, and make sure they remembered to take their medication. And while they’re around, they could help with some housework, and with the kids’ homework. Plus, they would give you company: someone to go shopping or watch baseball with.

But the biggest benefit to having your parents/grandparents at home is the experience it can give to your own kids. Most children today never take the time to really get to know their grandparents. They have no concept of how difficult life was not so long ago, or of how dramatically this world has changed in such a short time. They don’t understand that some wisdom only comes through experience. And they NEED to know. They need to be linked with the elder generations. We all do.

I say this out of experience. Ten years ago, my aged grandparents came to my wedding. He was ninety one, and she was eighty-four. We sat outside the church talking about “the old days.” They didn’t walk to school up hill both ways, but they DID live in an empty grain silo for the first years of their marriage. They had nothing. Nothing at all. She delivered my uncle in that structure.

“Oh, but we had FUN in those days,” they said. “Kids today have everything, but they are all miserable. We had eachother, and that was enough.”

That was the last time I saw my grandfather. He died two months later. But I will never forget that conversation, or the wisdom they imparted that morning. As a young man about to start my own family, I needed it.

Having your aging loved one at home would give maximum opportunity for that kind of effect. It is risky and inconvenient, but the potential benefits should not be overlooked.

What is Assisted Living?

So you’ve talked with your family, and you all agree on one thing: Something has to be done for mom or dad. Living alone is hard enough, but at their age, it’s becoming a real cause for concern. They don’t need a nursing home, but they have some lingering health needs, and require some assistance in their daily living. And home care is simply not an option.

It’s probably time to explore Assisted Living.

What is Assisted Living? Think of it as a half-way option for who adults who desire independence but need some assistance. When health and aging make it too hard for a senior to live alone, many people turn to Assisted Living Facilities, which allow a healthy degree of independence for their residents, while still maintaining a helpful, supportive community around them.

Many Assisted Living residents do not have grave illnesses, but experience difficulty in ways that most of us take for granted: everything from driving a car and doing laundry to getting out of bed and bathing themselves. Facility staff offer assistance according the needs of the residents. And of course, medical care is always nearby. Many of these facilities also offer nursing home facilities as well, often on the same property. This is sometimes referred to “Continuing Care,” and it can be very helpful for everyone. Residents don’t have to start from square 1 with applications and paper work, and they don’t have to make a massive transitions when their health does begin to deteriorate.

One reason many people choose Assisted Living facilities is for the communities they form. There are often bingo nights, exercise groups, arts and crafts, and town outings. These communities aren’t meant to replace family, but friends sure do make it easier!

My Grandmother, who passed away in April, lived in Assisted Living for the last few years of her life. She cherished being able to go into town even though she could no longer drive. And when she became ill, she made an easy transition to more intensive nursing care.

So what about your loved one? If they can’t live alone, can’t live with you, but don’t need full-time nursing care, it might be time to check out an Assisted Care facility. If you are in Oregon, click here to find a facility near you.

Why We Care For Elders

In a society that often assigns value based on usefulness to society, seiniors are often the first to be forgotten. This is a tragedy. True, our parents or grandparents might not be able to swing a hammer anymore. They might be long past the days when they could manage a home, teach a class, or direct a company. It’s been a while since they could create wealth and pay taxes. And because they have exited highway of economic productivity, it can be easy to lose sight of them altogether.

At I Care For Elders, we don’t believe people ever outgrow their value. Human beings cary worth inside them, whether they are past their prime or at the top of their game. Our senior citizens, then, are some of the most precious resources we have today. If we want to make the world a better place, we need to embrace their stories, nurture their relationships, and celebrate their lives.

That’s what I Care For Elders is all about. Yes, you will find helpful links to important information about Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, Hospice Care, etc, but you will also find real people, celebrating lives lived well. We’ll share advice on how to care for our loved ones, how to connect with them amid so many changes, and how to make their twilight years as joyful and rewarding as possible.

Want to join the conversation? Jump on in. We would love to hear your stories, too! Let’s help each other navigate these complicated courses. And in the mean time, let’s all take a moment to cherish our aging loved ones again. Right now. Before we pull back on the on-ramp of everyday life.