WILDLIFE ON EARTH DAY -- OLDER PEOPLES NEEDS

Earth Day in SoCal was highlighted with groundbreaking for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing to be completed in 2025. 

The world's largest such construction with more SoCal wildlife bridges across freeways hoped for in the future.

Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.         

Erin Myers reports for the KTLA 5 Morning on April 22, 2022

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Living in place and thriving as I age presents increasing challenges the older I become.  Talking with a friend a decade younger but who is coping with issues of her's and husband's our conversation evolved to some of the needs we have.   My family lives across country from me and, especially since Covid rarely is able to visit, unlike her family but they live in  different communities so cannot easily visit their parents either.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a pre-screened group of people, maybe even senior high school or college students wanting to pick up a few hours of paid work occasionally, to provide assistance for incidental tasks?

Instances of retrieving boxes of items stored in high storage areas or replacing them, for example -- all those once simple actions that are no longer easy or even wise to undertake for physical or safety reasons.  Somebody could pop in for a couple hours with advanced schedule coordination and take care of an accumulated list of tasks we prepared.

Most of the available help seems to be only those to do house cleaning or provide nursing or personal care such as bathing, cooking/feeding, companionship.  There is a woman where I live who advertises as a Girl Friday who comes closer to providing such service, but she only runs errands, or shops for people.

Not all older people have such needs as my friend and I discussed, but perhaps some of you do or have thought about a source of such help.

LIVING IN PLACE WINDY CHALLENGES

Interesting times living in place as we age .....  as if the pandemic isn't enough .....

My house at long last welcomed receiving electric power again a short time ago this Sunday night as I write this following a sudden outage Friday night.    We had some pretty strong winds sweep through Friday all night long.  They had such a strong force for only the second time in our area of town that I've experienced in the almost fifty years I've lived here.   

I opened my door early Friday evening once to check for delivery of an expected package which I learned later had been delayed but finally came today, Sunday.   The wind was so strong I could hardly push the door shut again.   As the night wore on I realized the power was not coming back on so I headed into bed.

As the winds howled and whistled I could hear my small empty trash container, half the size of a full size bin, banging and thumping around from the sheltered corner area of my covered front entry where I had placed it in anticipation of easily filling it the next day.  I'm so glad I hadn't yet put anything in the bin as light content weight would likely not have prevented it being upset. 

The next day I found the bin, open, laying on it's side up against my car.  Any contents would have been spread all over -- what a mess it would have been to clean up.   I'm not sure if a few small hard pieces of material I found in my drive are from my house as I will have my gardener coming later this week double-check to see if any others in the yard, though I haven't seen any shingles as I surveyed through my windows, but then I can determine if there is any roof concern.  

We knew there would be winds as there often can be every year with other communities generally receiving the worst and only minor issues in other parts of our town but not on our street.  In fact, this is only the second time in the almost fifty years I've lived here our street has been even remotely close to having such a destructive wind.   

Saturday when I drove out to get some hot food as I drove only a block into an adjoining small town, then others, they all seem to have some power.   I didn't see any trees down on our street, but elsewhere traffic lights were out, major boulevards closed to traffic blocked by fallen trees.   

We received varied reports of when we would have power again.  First it wasn't known yet, then we would have power 3:30 a.m. Saturday, then back to not determined again, later some misinformation, and finally to be 9 p.m. Sunday, but the power didn't come on so they weren't predicting again.   Happily an hour or so later we had electric.  Certainly as winds go these were not comparable to what those having gone through tornados and hurricanes experience, but everything is relative and what anyone experiences brings its own challenges.

I kept warm but it was SoCal cold here, meaning 40 to 60 degree temperatures and I'm glad to have an interior warm house again.   My body has long since acclimated to our climate so I reminded myself that where I once lived we would have thought of temperatures like these as nice winter days -- but this ol' bod just isn't impressed with my effort to influence mind over matter so I was aware of cold air.

Ironically, earlier Friday I had allowed my new iPhone to run very low before plugging in, thought it had fully charged but hadn't actually yet checked it had charged when I unplugged it.    I'll always check immediately now as I discovered the phone hadn't charged, perhaps the plug had been loose.   Such was also the case with my computer.  So, here I was poorly prepared technologically to effectively cope with any long power outage emergency.  

Once again having my landline telephone kept me connected to the rest of the world  with the ability to track my electric company's progress, contact my family, and have the capability to summon emergency help should I need to do so.  

Another learning experience for me in this grand experiment of living in place as I age.   I have decided to finally purchase a solar charger which I first considered doing a few years ago but had not done so.   I must do better emergency preparedness.  

Without the ability to access the internet, publish a blog post early Sunday,  see and hear the news, I did a lot more reading, completing one book and starting a second.  I hadn't been in the mood for reading books for a while as periodically occurs for me, so maybe that spell is broken.

I've learned a family member who has been so very careful has somehow been caught by covid but with only mild symptoms, lots of fatigue.  

Hope all of you continue to be well,  Also, that your emergency plans and preparedness kits are in good order.

 

FICKLE FALL -- CONFLICTS -- MODIFICATIONS

Fall keeps flirting with Summer as our temperatures alternate between being in the 90s and then dropping 10 to 20 degrees for a day or so.  When will our SoCal seasonal weather stabilize here in the foothills?

^ ^ ^ Life events are erratic for me, too.  On a positive note, I've finally been consistently sleeping each night, so my efforts to realign my metabolic mechanism without resorting to medication or other aids is becoming effective to date.  I'm getting deep sleep, even remembering some dreams, despite at least one interrupting tour each night to survey the bathroom.  

^ ^ ^ On a less positive note, the mechanism on my car's moon roof has become inoperative with diagnostics unduly expensive, plus with the potential of uncertain part(s) needing repair also is not cost effective -- if a motor is needed, they aren't even made any more. 

I don't want a different car presently as this one, intended to last the rest of my life, has plenty of good mileage left and the rest of the car is in very good condition.   Plus, the timing is poor for purchasing another vehicle right now.   Consequently, I have had the slightly opened vent position sealed as-is on my vehicle to prevent any rain's infiltration as we, hopefully, but doubtfully given our drought, enter our rainy season.  Am I being too optimistic?  

^ ^ ^ What really irritates me is another issue -- when credit is due customers, all too often the amount is not automatically given.  After two months of receiving no credit for the week I was without internet service, partly due to my provider's comedy of errors which I described previously HERE, I had to contact the company to request they provide me the credit which was long overdue.   They offered no apology for not having already given me this credit.  I should be able to impose a late charge.   

^ ^ ^ An annual medical appointment I anticipated keeping was rescheduled but not until next year in January.   I guess the doctor figures I won't die between now and then, at least that's how I'll look at it.

^ ^ ^ The final recent aggravation occurred when I contacted a special designated L. A. County phone number that scheduled an appointment at a drive-thru site as I requested to receive my Pfizer booster injection to prevent the Covid infection.  Later, I decided to phone that site directly just to be sure that, in fact, the site was giving drive-thru booster shots.  They were not, only walk-ins.  I can get a walk-in injection at any number of much closer sites.

A pharmacy may have a drive-thru business for prescriptions and other purchases but that does not automatically mean they provide injections as I needed.  I would have expected our County special services number personnel to have realized this, but apparently not, so I'm glad I double-checked.  I'll wait a while longer to see if a drive-thru site(s) is eventually scheduled in my area since I don't feel rushed to get that booster injection.  

I mask when out encountering others, which is infrequently, anyway.  I did forget to put my mask on when JAZZ musicians conversed with me at a distance outside my car where I sat for their patio concert as I've previously described.  We had all been vaccinated.  

^ ^ ^ Oops! The assaults are not over .....  a letter just received today, as I write this, informs me an insurance policy we've had for years through my husband's employer is now terminated.  The Insurance Company could not be rehabilitated so all Cancer Reimbursement Plan Policy/Certificates that company has underwritten are cancelled.  

This policy was to cover some costs ordinary health insurance didn't.  Fortunately, we never needed this insurance.   Now, I hope I never will regret no longer having the coverage.   Apparently, we should remember that in life there are no guarantees all insurance policies will remain in effect, or that we won't need the coverage they offer at some future time for that matter.  (I'll contact my husband's employer from whom he retired to see if they will be offering a replacement policy at reasonable cost.)   

Well, I hope the coming week proves to be go a little more smoothly.  Keep smilin' and laughin' is my motto.

* * *

Aging has had me making adjustments in my home to be more compatible with how my physical activities have changed as I've become older.  Those of us choosing to live in place sometimes find it necessary to  modify our homes in numerous ways.  Some modifications can become necessary to make living not only safer but more comfortable.

Numerous web sites provide lists of recommendations and other suggestions to aid our determining what changes or additions we may need or want to make where we live.  One such site is Assisted Living.org.  For example, one of the most appreciated changes for me has been replacing the commodes in my bathrooms to taller ones.  

One unresolved problem I've encountered is changing light bulbs in ceiling lights.  In the dining area adjacent to my kitchen is a pull-down light over my table which is perfect, allowing me to easily change burned-out light bulbs.  Why not have pull-down lights for those in the ceiling in other rooms?

There are numerous pull-down lights I found in my web search but most are much too fancy as is their price, and that of even the few more appropriately plain ones given they're all considered vintage.  There were no pull-down lights revealed that I find acceptably appropriate for bedrooms which is what I need.

I did find a rather plain, simple light, with a frosted glass square having curled corners similar to what I have, that softens or mutes the two bare light bulbs above.  This light fixture would be ideal if only it was pull-down.  I've inquired of one light distributor whether or not such a light pull-down adaptation could be made by the manufacturer.

I would think there might be a market for such a pull-down light to others besides me.  This pull-down light could be what older people living in place need in order to change light bulbs safely --  no standing shakily on the bed if you're tall enough as I anxiously watched my husband once do,  or climbing on ladders,  having to ask a friend, or hiring a handyman when bulbs burn out, especially important for those who live alone.  Granted we have longer-lasting light bulbs now but they, too, ultimately burn out and need to be replaced.

Could numerous others use pull-down ceiling lights?

Do you ever encounter challenges having to pursue getting credit to which you're entitled? 

What modifications have you found to be beneficial or some you need to make to be safe and comfortable where you live?   

AGING LIVING BEST IF "THRIVING IN PLACE"

Earlier I wrote HERE about my interest in the concept of living in place in which I’m engaged.

I’ve had a related idea I decided to pursue that attracted the interest of others to whom I presented my thoughts earlier this year.    Subsequently, I mentioned here I would be sharing further information on the matter in the future. 

Meanwhile, some of the questions and thoughts I considered follow, that I think many of us have had or will have sooner or later.   

Where do we want to live these later years of life? 

     

When should we begin thinking about how and where we’ll live in these later years?   Probably we’ve gradually been accumulating thoughts on the subject for a long time as have I.

Our work, financial status and family or friends are usually the major factors influencing how we formulate our plans.  These are matters we each must assess individually.

What sort of living arrangement do we prefer?   Many factors will determine if we’ll live with others or on our own.

Our choices can include preferring housing with age limit requirements as for Seniors – usually age 50 or 55 and up.   Some classic groupings involve housing in Assisted Living or Retirement Communities, the latter offering multiple levels of care.

Select living settings are sometimes needed by those with any one of a variety of special medical needs, such as those experiencing behavioral problems, some cognitive issues affecting memory in dementia types, especially including Alzheimer’s Disease.

Those are some of the considerations in our decision-making process about our later life living environment. 

Another thought crossing my mind is that unlike the early years of our lives some choices we could make might leave us with less opportunity to alter them later, if for some reason we might desire to do so.  So, wise consideration of these issues can matter.

Choosing an option characterized with that broad label of Aging in Place usually means living in the community rather than in residential care as described in "The Gerontologist" article HERE.  The research discusses this choice

     “...is linked to sense of attachment and social connection”

     “...is linked to sense of security and familiarity: home as a refuge, community as a resource”

     “...is tied to sense of identity, linked to independence and autonomy

The person(s) aging in place may be living in a room, apartment, mobile home, house, with or without friends, family and this may also even include their receiving any care-giving help needed but they must seek these services.

I have preferred to think of this Aging in Place arrangement as Living in Place with the emphasis on a goal of living, even though we are also aging.  

That brings me to elaborating on my idea, as I occasionally mentioned it in earlier posts and elsewhere, to an activity I proposed to our local city-coordinated Senior Services.  My idea was enthusiastically received, has been developed, expanded upon and implemented beginning this week. 

In the collaborative process of creating this offering, what I consider to be a most descriptive name suggested in our group was provided which most precisely describes what participants want.

Not only will be aging in place, with a focus on living, but what we really want is to thrive in the process. 

So, our group will be known as and directed toward “Thriving in Place”.  

This is the most recent brief summary as it appears in our city’s monthly digital newsletter, "The Clicks", announcing this new program with monthly meeting dates and times. 

“Aging can often pose new emotional and technical challenges, especially for those who wish to live independently at home for as long as possible. Join this group of peers as they discuss issues and trends, exchange information and tips, and receive informational presentations about living in place.”

The extent of my involvement I’ve limited to acting as a facilitator as I’ve envisioned this group to be very dynamic – adapting and fluctuating with the needs of participants which may change in the future.   The value of the gatherings will be dependent upon the attendees’ involvement and participation which I’ll certainly be encouraging to be strong. 

We’ve established through a variety of means, including survey questions, the demographics of initially interested attendees.  They will present a variety of differing perspectives including those of some who live alone – also subgroups of those both with and without friends and/or family in the area – with and without support systems.  There will be couples physically independent, others less so; some who are caregivers for a spouse/companion and any other possible situation as might be imagined.  Some are already committed to the idea of “Thriving in Place” and doing so. 

Others want to explore the idea to determine if this or another option would be best for them and discuss what are those other options.  Sharing experiences, positive and negative may benefit one another. 

We will have multiple sources for presentations for which the group has expressed interest.   I have specified wanting others to be responsible for arranging those sessions as I choose to limit my group obligations.  I also want the group to be able to thrive without the dependence of my presence.   

Offerings examples of some of our resources, in addition to other type living accommodations, there are a number of senior communities, at least three within a half-mile of our meeting center, offering all levels of care which I have served at one time or another when I was working.  Other desirable settings are available though at slightly greater distance.  Most offer get-acquainted sessions of their own interested individuals are encouraged to attend, often focused on downsizing.  

A prominent member of our group is associated with our local non-profit group REAL Connection 

that established in our city a decade or so ago.   Joining this group which does have a subscription charge can be very beneficial and will be one more resource of value.   This organization came into prominence on the east coast years ago based on the Village concept you can read about HERE.   There may be a similar group in your area.

I’m very enthusiastic about this free “Thriving in Place” group meeting the needs of some in our community including mine, who want to interact with others choosing this living arrangement.  This group does offer a socialization opportunity, too, through this shared living style community.

I know some bloggers I visit here are “Thriving in Place”.  Others are living in or have tried some of the options as in Assisted Living with various reactions.  Perhaps, some are currently living in retirement communities offering all levels of care.  Others, only now, may be considering where they’ll live in their later years.

What choices have you made about where and how you want to live in your aging years, or what options are you considering?   

Any thoughts you may have about our “Thriving in Place” community group are also welcome.