Help Seniors To Be Independent

Help Seniors To Be Independent by Jan Hayner

You have spent all of your life raising children, working to feed everybody, buy a home, buy clothes to dress everyone, made all of your own financial decisions and you have done a really good job of it. Now, someone comes along and decides that you can’t do this anymore. That they are going to do things to change your life…for your own good. Now tell me, how would you like this to happen to you? Well, it happens to Senior Citizens everyday and sooner or later, you’re going to be one yourself, so plan ahead.

Now, you no longer can live alone, you can’t be trusted to use the stove and someone else has to pay your bills for you. This is very demeaning for anyone to have to go through. Although for a lot of our Elderly and Senior Citizens, this is something that has been done, but, there are ways of making it a lot easier on the person to be able to cope with this situation.


Here are a few suggestions that may help:

EXIT COOKING

Let’s say that the person isn’t able to make a large meal for themselves, or that they couldn’t possibly eat as much as they would cook, but that they need a well-balanced meal. How about giving them a gift certificate so they can go out to eat or set something up with a local restaurant so they can go in to eat and the bill will get paid once or twice a month. They get to go out to eat, have a balanced meal and take the leftovers home and heat in the microwave to eat when ever they choose.

OR another alternative would be to set up meals on wheels for them a few times a week or to go to a Senior Center for a meal. You can check this out with your local Office on Aging. Don’t they deserve to have someone else cook for them after all of the years that they have been cooking, besides that; they will only need to have deli meat, bread, milk and snacks in the house for in-between. This will save them a lot of money and we all know that the elderly are 100% for saving money on a fixed income. Transportation for the person to the meal site can normally be set up through the meal site or the Office on Aging.

I CAN’T DRIVE

The thought of depending on other people to take you everyplace that you want to go is one of the reasons the elderly continue to want to drive. Now, if they know that they can get from point A to point B all by themselves and it isn’t going to be expensive and they can do this all on their own, they don’t mind not driving, a matter of fact, most of them look forward to the idea. Get them a monthly bus pass, teach them how to set up transportation using the Seniors Bus or Handicap Bus, get them into a car pool with others from a church or a program that they belong to. Again, the thought of saving on gas, insurance and maintenance on a vehicle will be a blessing for them.

I DON’T REMEMBER

Sometimes you will find that the Senior Citizen used to love to go places and do things and now they almost seem like they are afraid to leave the house. It could be because they don’t remember the way they used to and are afraid that they won’t know how to get back home. No one likes to feel foolish, especially at that age, and most of the time they won’t tell anyone their fears. So, you think of what to do before they ask you about it. Make them business cards (calling cards) to keep with them, with their name address and phone number on. This can be given to people that they would like to have their phone number, to a taxi drive when they are asked where they want to go, or to the person that they are car pooling with. So the “calling card” serves more than one purpose. This helps to take the fright away of not remembering their phone number or address. They always have their calling card with them.

WHAT IF I NEED MY FAMILY

An underlying thought with all elderly is; what if something happens when I am out of the house, will someone get my son or daughter?

Give them a typed piece of paper with everyone’s name, address, phone number, cell phone number, e-mail address etc. on it, for them to keep in their wallet. You may even want to make a notation next to the name that should be called and in what order in case of an emergency, by numbering it 1-2-3. This way the senior knows that their loved one will be called and they don’t have to worry about not remembering a phone number, place of employment or how to contact them. You may also want to contact your nearest hospital and have your name on file in case there is an emergency. Most elderly don’t like the idea of a pocket telephone book because it becomes too confusing for them to follow, just a typed piece of paper so they can see everyone’s information on one page is usually self assuring.

Help your Senior Citizen retain their dignity and Independence and have the feeling of control over their lives no matter what their age. They are our older generation and deserve the respect.


2006 Jan Hayner http://organizingyourlifetheeasyway.com Tips and shortcuts to take the stress out of life. Get your FREE pamphlet "50 Things To Do In 10 Minutes or Less" and "Guiltbusters For Working Moms" Learn Easy Home Organizing.


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Introduction to Crochet

Introduction to Crochet by Charles Cox

Some people say the craft of crocheting came from some parts of South America, Arabia and China, but there has been no evidence to support this claim. Crochet became popular during the 1800's in Europe. There are those that believe the process used in crocheting was present during the ancient times before the hook itself was in existence. People in those times, supposedly used their fingers which were bent in order to make loops and chains.

It's somewhat agreed upon that crocheting as we know it today was first observed sometime during the mid 1700s. This was about the time when tambour embroidery reached Europe as well. At that time, tambour embroidery was done using a smaller crochet-like hook. The earliest evidence of true crocheting dates to around 1800. It is deduced that crochet samples should have been present in archaeological finds should it have existed before then. Some people claim that crochet pieces were found in Egyptian tombs and others say that nuns used crochet works to beautify the early churches of history.

In the 1800s, crocheting surfaced as a lace substitute. Laces back then were extremely expensive, and people turned to crocheting to be able to produce less expensive fabrics. After all, crocheting didn't need much equipment or other tools, and people of every kind can master the art. People then began to crochet natural fibers and used hooks which were made of brass, ivory and hardwood.

As history went on, crocheting gained popularity and found its niche as a cottage industry. The craft supported many communities at a time when their livelihoods were threatened by imperialism. The items were often purchased by the middle class, or those who were emerging in society. Some believe that fabrics which were made out of crocheting were seen as a mere imitation of the symbol of richer families. The people who were able to afford the more expensive fabrics that were made from more expensive methods seemed to hate crochet actually.

Evolution

Crocheting was done mostly with thread from 1800 to 1950s. The most common kinds of crochet methods were the filet crochet and the crochet in the round. They were worked in rows of closed or open mesh to build patterns. Steel hooks were mass produced and were popular beginning 1900.

In the 1950s, crocheters were starting to use thick yarns to be able to create less detailed clothing and fabric. The popular patterns began to emerge such as the granny squares. These were worked in round and incorporated bright and fun colors. The interest of the younger generation in the 1960s gave crocheting a much needed boost in terms of popularity.

Method

In the modern sense, crocheting is done by doing a slip-knot on the hook, and this is pulled with another loop. The second loop is pulled through the first one and this pattern is repeated to create a fabric. The chain is worked in rows or turned to create a pattern. Rounds are built by pulling many stitches through one loop. These methods distinguish crocheting from other kinds of fabric making methods.

Crochet is a fairly young kind of art if one compares it to other fabric-making procedures. It has gone through several evolution steps to be able to become the art it is of today. With the advent of different technologies and modern ways of making fabric, crochet is in danger of being wiped off its existence. However, there are still many people who love crochet and hopefully, these people will pass on the art to the generations after them.


C.S.Cox published the acclaimed instructional book, "Crocheting Made Simple" which has taught numerous people how to crochet. Find out how to sign up for the FREE Crocheting Made Simple Newsletter at http://www.crochetmadesimple.com


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