Who Writes This Stuff

Every day I'm more convinced that the people writing about aging are themselves young and have no experience. Do you know of any other field who seeks people with no experience to write articles? This is one area where 'book learnin' is not enough.

Had a call from one of the medical offices where Bob is a patient. Nice friendly voiced young woman says she's calling to make sure when I prepare Bob's meals I'm covering half his plate in colorful fresh vegetables. Now you can just imagine what I thought about that.

Try Try Again
I seem to be doing a lot of this. Remember daughter and I recently purchased a new recliner for Bob that we were sure met his needs perfectly? It didn't.

First it was the headrest. He didn't like how that fit. I've tried every little pillow and bean bag in this house and nothing has pleased him. He rejected a travel neck pillow without even trying. Too hot he said. This morning we had a lesson on how to flip one so the part that goes around your neck sticks out behind and you're only using the center back. It's a nice pillow filled with little squishy beads of stuff that allows him to adjust it's thickness. We'll see if that works.

Then there's the matter of the electric switch that daughter and I thought would be so good for him, not. He has Raynaud's so his fingers are so cold they're dark blue a lot of the time. I'm sure this affects the feeling in the tips of his fingers.

On the side of the chair is a round flat switch. Touch one side to recline, the other side to raise the chair upright. A small ridge separates the two sections. He doesn't feel the ridge. This morning I was rummaging around looking for a stray piece of velcro or anything I could stick on one side that I thought had enough texture he could feel the difference and aid in adjusting his chair.

That resolved I watched him and he fumbles around a lot just trying to find the switch because it lies flat against the chair. Hmmm, have to think on that one a while. I'll sic daughter on that one when she comes later this week.
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I'm sure you've noticed this blog has become part of my therapy. I suspect this is going to go on for a while. If you know this kind of situation will not be in your future you may choose to read other more interesting blogs. If, however, the possibility exists this type thing could be in your future you might want to read along. Perhaps it will provide some answers for when it happens to you.