New White House report recommends ways to help older people remain independent

Comments

2 responses to “New White House report recommends ways to help older people remain independent”

1. 

   April 30, 2016

   BC Shelby

   …hear hear on #4.

   I swear that packaging designers have a malicious bent to make those of who have arthritis struggle even opening a bag of crisps let alone a jar or bottle.

   A lot of time the plastic used in food packaging just stretches without opening as it should. Bags such as for crisps and in cereal boxes, have way too much glue in the top seam . Then there’s those ridiculous inner seals on bottles and tubs. You pull the tab they put on and it either comes off or the seal tears/shreds. On “tamper proof” wraps that cover a cap or lid, there needs to be a tear tab that actually works (and please, no second inner seal under the cap/lid). By far, the worst is shrink/stretch wrap. Fortunately where I shop there is a generous fresh meats and fish department where they still use old fashioned butcher paper instead of having to deal with pre cling wrapped styro trays. Unfortunately, many of the big volume discount markets don’t offer this service.

   Another bane are blister packs. which seem to be used for so many products these days. Not only are they wasteful, but also impossible to open without something like a garden shear because of all the glue used and the thickness of the plastic. Whatever happened to the old pasteboard box with a picture of the product on it?

   Finally, by far the worst of all are medications, both OTC and prescription. Those child and tamper proof caps should also be called “Arthritic Proof” as well. Nothing is worse than being in pain and having to go through more trying to open the bottle of medication that is supposed to relieve it. At least for prescriptions there needs to be a design that is easier to open. Crikey, most of these bottles are actually easier for kids to open than for me. With all the tech today it should be simple to create some sort of “lock cap” which uses a special “key” like device that fits over the cap and which one can keep with him or herself on a key ring. Without it, the bottle cannot be opened.

   Also prescription safety can be practised by the individual as well. I never keep my prescription or OTC meds in the bathroom cabinet where others can get to them, they stay in a safe place in my room.

   Reply
2. 

   May 2, 2016

   Ellen Franzen

   I have spent the last 18 years caring for my mother (Alzheimer’s), my father (legally blind), and my mother-in-law (just old, died two weeks ago at 99.) Based on my experience and what I see with my mother-in-law’s friends, I do not recommend that people “age in place.” I think the best place for the elderly (including my husband and myself–we are 66) is the type of living situation where you have your own apartment, and there is assisted living care there if necessary, as well as nursing home care on site, so the healthy spouse can just walk over and spend all the time they want. And you should move before you are 75. My mother-in-law downsized when she was 85. Unfortunately, by the time she was 98, she did not know where she was–her only frame of reference was the house she had lived in from the time she was 43 until she was 85. She wanted to die at home, which was a source of extreme stress for the family, or at least those of us who were involved in her care. I have started looking at this type of housing and there are many, many opportunities for social activities, as well as meals provided if necessary. Yes, it is pricy, but if I can avoid causing my son the stress my mother-in-law caused us, I will. Aging in place is a joke.

   Reply