Friday, April 01, 2011 Grandma is Here
My grandmother recently moved in with my parents. She left her east coast home to live with my parents in the Midwest. Quite a culture shock and lifestyle change for a woman who for the past 91 years has never driven a car and has been used to walking a couple of blocks to the store for fresh groceries for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and wine of course. In the suburban part of town where my parents live, walking to the store requires a mile and half walk, not going to happen at 91. We are lucky that all that walking all of her life has left my grandma, in the words of her new doctor, in better condition than most 60 year olds. Not one ounce of medication. She is remarkable.
When she went to see the doctor, the doctor asked my grandmother and parents if my grandmother had a healthcare power of attorney or a medical directive in case she could not make any medical decisions herself. My grandmother has never even heard of a healthcare power of attorney. For someone who is 91, although in amazing health physically, mentally she is becoming a little forgetful. Thankfully, I was able to prepare these for her. It is so important to have these types of documents for your loved ones so the doctors and hospitals know who to look to, to make decisions when our loved ones are not able to do so.
Thought for the Week
"When grandparents enter the door,
discipline flies out the window."
~ Ogden Nash |