Last Sunday, Linda and I were in Northville, Michigan, where
I was accompanied by Fritz Seyferth. Fritz and I were signing books “Bo’s
Warriors” Bo Schembechler and the Transformation of Michigan Football at the
local Barnes & Noble. We were joined by our friends Dave and Joyce who live
near us in California. Dave’s mother, age 91 lives in Michigan.
Dave was talking to us about his mother who still is sharp
as a tack. In the last year or so, she moved from her home to a retirement-care
facility in order to prepare for her future. She was anticipating that she
would require assistance down that road. However, after a year she realizes
that she made a mistake. The idea of anticipating future assistance makes sense
on one level. Dave’s mother did not anticipate that by moving into a new
environment she lost the familiarity and the autonomy of living in her home. Not
only that, she lost valuable human connections.
As you know, I propose, exercise, along with proper eating
for good health. Not to be overlooked in any way are our relationships. Dave’s
mother at age 91 would agree.
My mother lived by herself and was a couple of months short
of age 93 when she passed. I remember talking to her about moving to a “facility”
and she refused. I must admit that she was right and I was wrong. When you are cognitively
sharp and mobile there is no reason to move into institutionalized living. We
see a rise in home health care that can provide semi-nursing assistance. That
seems to be a better model for many.
Do not forget to check out your options. In the meantime,
keep moving, laughing, smiling, loving, bonding and appreciating.
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