I have a neighbour, a widow 92 years old, who calls me when she needs some help with something or other. I, being 20+ years her junior and at home most days, am only too happy to help her out. She has three sons, but the closest lives about 10km away and they all work. She is forever apologizing for being such a "pain" and I tell her , "Marion, if I'm able to help I'm more than happy to." Her needs can be anything from needing a drive to an appointment to her not being able to get her TV to work and everything in between. Are any of you in my shoes?
My wife helps a 92-yr-old friend frequently, whose children have become more involved since she developed health issues. But, when family pitch in to help, old personal issues arise, squabbles occur, time and money problems become hard to distribute evenly, the professional's opinion (my wife is a nurse) can be ignored, and care can escalate into dominance. If the three sons don't want to help, it may be a blessing.
Originally posted by Great Big Stees I have a neighbour, a widow 92 years old, who calls me when she needs some help with something or other. I, being 20+ years her junior and at home most days, am only too happy to help her out. She has three sons, but the closest lives about 10km away and they all work. She is forever apologizing for being such a "pain" and I tell her , "Marion, if I' ...[text shortened]... her not being able to get her TV to work and everything in between. Are any of you in my shoes?
Wondering if your neighbour in her dotage plays online correspondence chess and if so is her nickname Great Big Marion? 😉
Originally posted by Great Big Stees I have a neighbour, a widow 92 years old, who calls me when she needs some help with something or other. I, being 20+ years her junior and at home most days, am only too happy to help her out. She has three sons, but the closest lives about 10km away and they all work. She is forever apologizing for being such a "pain" and I tell her , "Marion, if I' ...[text shortened]... her not being able to get her TV to work and everything in between. Are any of you in my shoes?
She should hire one of the neighborhood boys (who's old enough to drive) to be her chauffeur, like in Driving Miss Daisy. Getting her things done, plus eye-candy, sounds like a win-win to me.
Originally posted by John Osmar My wife helps a 92-yr-old friend frequently, whose children have become more involved since she developed health issues. But, when family pitch in to help, old personal issues arise, squabbles occur, time and money problems become hard to distribute evenly, the professional's opinion (my wife is a nurse) can be ignored, and care can escalate into dominance. If the three sons don't want to help, it may be a blessing.
Oh don't get me wrong, they do when able but she seems to need a lot of "help". She is mentally, for the most part, quite with it and physically she's very good. I sense that it's more the company she enjoys as much as the "help". I hope that when, and if, I reach her age and need the help that there will be someone there for me too. That old saying may apply, "You reap what you sew".
Originally posted by Grampy Bobby Wondering if your neighbour in her dotage plays online correspondence chess and if so is her nickname Great Big Marion? 😉
Great thread, Stees!
Don't think she plays chess GB and she is a very tiny woman so GREAT BIG would certainly be a misnomer. Actually come to think of it I should change mine to Average Stees. 😉
Originally posted by Suzianne She should hire one of the neighborhood boys (who's old enough to drive) to be her chauffeur, like in Driving Miss Daisy. Getting her things done, plus eye-candy, sounds like a win-win to me.
I am one of the neighbourhood boys the one she calls on. 🙂
Originally posted by Great Big Stees Don't think she plays chess GB and she is a very tiny woman so GREAT BIG would certainly be a misnomer. Actually come to think of it I should change mine to Average Stees. 😉
Then your nickname would be Great Average Stees or GAS. lol
Originally posted by Great Big Stees Oh don't get me wrong, they do when able but she seems to need a lot of "help". She is mentally, for the most part, quite with it and physically she's very good. I sense that it's more the company she enjoys as much as the "help". I hope that when, and if, I reach her age and need the help that there will be someone there for me too. That old saying may apply, "You reap what you sew".
We ARE older people. We have a bachelor neighbor who has needed our help (getting to the hospital, walking his dog, the odd household repair, etc.) over the years. Especially for some months when recovering from an operation. Then my wife went through the same thing he went through and he has helped us. Now it's become my turn to need help for something different.
(He had us over for a game of Clue. The Butler did it with a pick in the end zone. No, wait, that was the Superbowl. Does anybody get that joke?)
We have another neighbor who isn't comfortable driving to the city -- my wife takes her with her to the ballet season.
In our little, well-defined neighborhood, there are several relationships like this. It's nice.
Originally posted by Great Big Stees I have a neighbour, a widow 92 years old, who calls me when she needs some help with something or other. I, being 20+ years her junior and at home most days, am only too happy to help her out. She has three sons, but the closest lives about 10km away and they all work. She is forever apologizing for being such a "pain" and I tell her , "Marion, if I' ...[text shortened]... her not being able to get her TV to work and everything in between. Are any of you in my shoes?
not now because she has now passed but over the past 3 years I did as much as I could for a lady 86 years old fixed the gate, ran her to the docs to have her blood taken she was on warfarin to thin her blood, mow the lawn, take her shopping and her favourite on a sunday take her to the bingo.
06 Feb '15 17:58
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