Who’s Your Grandma?

It’s funny how a conversation can center around one particular topic, but no one is talking about the same thing. This came to light the other day when we were talking about grandmas. Who, exactly, do you think of when you think of the word grandma?

There were three different women engaged in the conversation and wow, three completely different visions.

Who is Grandma?

Woman No. 1 was a Boomer in her early 60s. Her picture of grandma is a woman in her 80s or even 90s. Someone who might be a widow living on her own. Active, but this grandma sticks pretty close to home. She is aging in place, but with home maintenance and declining sight, she is facing some pretty important issues. Senior lifestyle isn’t so much a concern, she has established the way she wants to live. But senior security and senior safety are becoming huge concerns for her – and her family.

Woman No. 2 was also a Boomer in her mid-50s. Her picture of grandma is – are you ready – herself! She has several grandchildren and is still active at work and with her family and community. Aging in place is just something in the back of her mind, but not a concern at the moment. She is not part of a sandwich generation having to be concerned with caring for elderly parents. Her children are grown and out of the house and her parents are both deceased. She sees herself as a senior dealing with aging, medications and the notion of preparing for the future. But right now she isn’t concerned with senior issues like loneliness, safety and security.

Woman No. 3 is not a Boomer. She is in her mid-30s. The way she pictures her definition of grandma is actually her grandma: a woman in her late 60s or early 70s. As a widow, home maintenance, dealing with health issues and prescription medications are the issues. She takes care of her own personal hygiene, cooking and stays pretty active with her friends and church. This woman could see how senior loneliness could become an issue if grandma lost some of her energy and couldn’t drive any longer. She also sees how senior health is a pivotal concern. The combination of holidays and seniors is already starting to show that grandma is slowing down as she sometimes elected to either not stay long, not come or have someone pick her up so she doesn’t have to drive in the dark.

The point is that your definition of grandma depends on you. The stage of life you are in helps define grandma, too.

Whoever Grandma is for you, she may eventually need help

What is more important than a definition is the help, safety and security you can provide your grandma when needed. You can be assured that as much as you worry about her, she’s worrying, too. And worry doesn’t help solve any of the issues.

When grandma gets to the age in which senior loneliness, senior health, senior safety and security are concerns, it is time to act. Seventy-five percent of seniors want to stay in the place they call home as long as they can. That’s why Keeping In Touch Solutions daily check-in call has become so popular.

Having someone call to check on grandma every day means that the family can keep a watchful eye, allowing her to be as independent as possible, but also know when she needs additional help. Don’t let a situation spiral out of control until it becomes an emergency. Be proactive so you can be prepared to lend assistance and make a plan that everyone can accept – even grandma!

A daily check-in call could be the lifeline, the joy you give someone that makes the biggest difference in their perception of what old age is like.

Contact me at 317-480-1038 today. Let’s make a difference together.

I’m Diana Beam, Founder of Keeping in Touch Solutions. It is my heartfelt desire for every person to live a happy and healthy life in the place they call home, no matter what their age. You can’t put a price on peace of mind for your parents and yourself. It’s priceless . . . and significant.

For that reason, the goal of every Keeping In Touch Solutions program is to provide a caring connection and service that both the elderly and their caregivers can rely on to make living that good life easier.