Living Alone - Practical Downside

Teacher Terry said:
Nevada has a department of aging and they can provide seniors with helpful information on services besides the ones that they offer. No they can’t solve every senior’s problems.

Our local senior center is run by the county and although I don’t go there I know people that do who take classes, play games, have lunch, etc.
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What services have you received from this department? Playing games and taking classes are not the top needs of the elderly living at home alone.
 

hollydolly said:
I might even see if I can start that as a little business.. seriously.

I had to have a procedure done without anaesthetic myself.. because no-one could spare the time to come and collect me from the hospital ( this was just a week after my husband left)...

It was a horrendous experience.. to undergo without anaesthetic, so I would be allowed to drive myself home unaccompanied..
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I'm sorry you had to go through this alone and I think it would be a wonderful business to start. We have a good private medical transport here with a spacious van that accomodates a wheel chair and the driver will come into your home, office or medical facility and wheel you out but they don't stay with you during surgery or appointments. However, they are very prompt and on time when you call them to come get you. I have used them several times and it is always a pleasant and professional experience. It would be great to have the service business you suggest.
 

TabbyAnn said:
I'm sorry you had to go through this alone and I think it would be a wonderful business to start. We have a good private medical transport here with a spacious van that accomodates a wheel chair and the driver will come into your home, office or medical facility and wheel you out but they don't stay with you during surgery or appointments. However, they are very prompt and on time when you call them to come get you. I have used them several times and it is always a pleasant and professional experience. It would be great to have the service business you suggest.
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WE have the same here but they're really for people who are generally too disabled or ill to take ordinary transport.. so there's many, many people in a position like I was who have no-one who were available to come to the hospital and bring me home again after 3 or 4 hours.

Of course I wouldn't want to be responsible for people who are very poorly , but those who are otherwise generally fit and basically well but have to undergo a procedure which would mean they can have an anaesthetic and still be allowed to go home.. the same day:)
 
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TabbyAnn said:
What services have you received from this department? Playing games and taking classes are not the top needs of the elderly living at home alone.
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When I was the guardian for a good friend of mine with dementia a social worker helped me navigate Medicaid to help pay for her nursing home care once her savings ran out.

Otherwise I am capable of taking care of my own affairs. I still consult in my area of expertise. One of my friends is 89 and still lives in her home without any help and lives an active full life. My friend is a very positive person which is a quality that some people lack.
 
I am now a widower. I have had a colonoscopy a couple of times in the past. It did involve a general anesthesia which requires time to wear off.
It is a relief to me that my daughter and her husband have moved back to this area.

I have had enough surgeries over the years so that my birthday suit looks like a patchwork quilt.
 
Those who questioned a 'mythical department on aging' are using the wrong search words.

Google "area agency on aging [your state]" and you will immediately find the appropriate link to your state's agency that can help you with a list of services. They may be public or private; you will need to do further research.

Note that EVERY state's level of service differs. It is funded by a mix of Federal, State, and local county funding, but every state that accepts these Federal funds MUST establish a central office and match the level of funding, similar to Medicaid services.

One of the downsides of living in a LCOL area is that they are generally in poorer states with less funding for social services.
 
Lethe200 said:
Google "area agency on aging [your state]" and you will immediately find the appropriate link to your state's agency that can help you with a list of services. They may be public or private; you will need to do further research.
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What services have you received from an area agency on aging? The OP needed an assistant before, during and after a medical procedure. Someone always pops up and says call your department on aging or area agency on aging. Area agencies on aging typically don’t provide anything other than meals on wheels and a room to play games in.

These aren’t the top priorities of the elderly. Aging alone in your own house requires lawn care, house cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, heating, plumbing and air conditioning maintenance, and bookkeeping. The idea that an area agency on aging will help you with all these items is a myth.
 
Lethe200 said:
Google "area agency on aging [your state]" and you will immediately find the appropriate link to your state's agency that can help you with a list of services. They may be public or private; you will need to do further research.
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TabbyAnn said:
What services have you received from an area agency on aging? The OP needed an assistant before, during and after a medical procedure. Someone always pops up and says call your department on aging or area agency on aging. Area agencies on aging typically don’t provide anything other than meals on wheels and a room to play games in.

These aren’t the top priorities of the elderly. Aging alone in your own house requires lawn care, house cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, heating, plumbing and air conditioning maintenance, and bookkeeping. The idea that an area agency on aging will help you with all these items is a myth.
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@Lethe200's post suggested searching to find a link to one's state agency that can help with a list of services, which may have to be paid for. Not some sort of one stop shop of free services that will help with everything.

Seriously, it can't hurt to check, and doesn't help to give up before trying.
 
TabbyAnn said:
What services have you received from an area agency on aging? The OP needed an assistant before, during and after a medical procedure. Someone always pops up and says call your department on aging or area agency on aging. Area agencies on aging typically don’t provide anything other than meals on wheels and a room to play games in.

These aren’t the top priorities of the elderly. Aging alone in your own house requires lawn care, house cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, heating, plumbing and air conditioning maintenance, and bookkeeping. The idea that an area agency on aging will help you with all these items is a myth.
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The department of aging helped me navigate Medicaid for my friend in a nursing home. The social worker was a huge help. They will give people referrals to agencies or programs that may be able to help.

No as a former social worker I can say that they aren’t going to mow your lawn or order your groceries. If you can’t pay for and coordinate these services then you probably can’t live by yourself. They will help you get qualified for meals on wheels and any other programs that you may qualify for. Your expectations are ridiculous!!
 
TabbyAnn said:
What services have you received from an area agency on aging? The OP needed an assistant before, during and after a medical procedure. Someone always pops up and says call your department on aging or area agency on aging. Area agencies on aging typically don’t provide anything other than meals on wheels and a room to play games in.

These aren’t the top priorities of the elderly. Aging alone in your own house requires lawn care, house cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, heating, plumbing and air conditioning maintenance, and bookkeeping. The idea that an area agency on aging will help you with all these items is a myth.
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:) Thank you, TabbyAnn. And there are plenty of uses for bonded couriers, as trips to post office or bank. And someone to haul stuff to the dump, and so forth practically to infinity..
 
Widow of Vietnam Vet said:
I just joined and although this is an older thread, I wanted to add something.
I live in a very rural farm community and it is often difficult to get rides from neighbors.
Our county has an Office of the Aging and sometimes they can provide rides from senior volunteers.
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i live in a very rural farm town too...i am still driving for now..but it's difficult to find people who do odd jobs..yard work...etc..
after my husband recently died..our daughter and son in law have really helped with all of that horrendous event..and i don't want them to do everything..they don't have lots of time
 
Widow of Vietnam Vet said:
I just joined and although this is an older thread, I wanted to add something.
I live in a very rural farm community and it is often difficult to get rides from neighbors.
Our county has an Office of the Aging and sometimes they can provide rides from senior volunteers.
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:) Hello Widow of Vietnam Vet, and welcome. How essential is your errand? I would not get in a car with a stranger unless I could physically whip him or her (which means no-one bigger than an infant) or the stranger was licensed to carry passengers. Would a licensed courier work for you? In some cases he should be bonded.
 
I feel I am in a good position, personally. I am having eye surgery, so will need rides. That I have covered. I have already asked a neighbor if she would check on me a couple times a day to see if I am well. I will begiving her a key to my apartment.
 
I usually do all of my driving myself. I have great neighbors I trust but if they run a farm ,that means they sure have a day job.
I was a livestock farmer and I know how that can be, time wise.
Yes, we all have to be VERY Careful.!
I had car problem that they couldn't finish fixing until next day ,years ago and the dealer had no courtesy cars available and he got me a ride from a senior volunteer he counts on sometimes, who showed up quickly, took me home, and then when car was done they let me and him know and he got me back to the dealer.
The senior volunteer was very happy to have this job. I dont even think I had to pay for the ride. But I gave him a tip.

I have done volunteer work most of my life. And it sure helped with the grief when my husband died.
 
Marie, I caught your post and was going to mention in my above post ,that I had rides for my first eye surgery but for the second surgery I needed 2 rides and the neighbor, who is now too disabled to help anyone, seemed to be running late-and I ended up driving to the hospital myself with one eye still bandaged. He said he did get to my house probably minutes after I left but I do not want to be late anywhere.
I live in NY too- it is beautiful this time of year
 
Naturally said:
I'm in the same boat. Was supposed to have a colonoscopy a year and a half ago but haven't done so.
It not only required someone to drive me but is compounded by the fact it is in the next town over.

I called our local hospital to see if there were any kind of medical ride assistance programs available ... nope.

I am a military vet and it was suggested I contact vet organizations for possible assistance.
Closest I got was with disabled vets (DAV) but they don't have rides going to that city.

I'm out of choices, should have the procedure and wonder about future needs should they arise.

EDIT: Skyking just mentioned Church and that might be an idea, except I don't go to Church.
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How about hiring someone like a care giver...?
 
jimintoronto said:
You make a common assumption there. Many Americans are not Christians, or members of any church. JimB.
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Sometimes most Church goers are not Christians. They just need a community that cares, joining one might not be too late. Most of the church activities will also keep you busy
 

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