Old People Aren't Old

We've been doing focus groups with the 65+ crowd in Darien, CT, to see how the community could provide resources to help them stay in their homes as they age. The most interesting finding is that most older people don't think of themselves as old. They don't want to be perceived as "needy." They don't even begin to think of themselves as old until they reach 80. The term "senior" connotes someone who is frail and elderly. They are not "seniors".

But even the ones who are 80 want to be out doing things for others. These are the most amazing people. They are so giving. So altruistic. So independent. Is it because they are American and are embued with American independent spirit?

So our new idea is to discover ways to tap this supply of volunteer labor to help others who do need help. More later...

Independence

In our research with older people in our town, we're discovering how very independent they are. They don't want help. They want to be the helpers. This is a really interesting and significant discovery. Maybe we can tap into this desire to contribute to the community. I wonder what makes older Americans so generous of spirit?

I'd love to hear from others about this point.

Visiting Nurse

A person moving to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, wanted information on Visiting Nurse in her new area. I contacted the national visiting nurse association and got the following info:

Medical Center Home Health
534 Roland StreetJackson, TN 38301 731-422-1100
Medical Center Home Health & Hospice of (branch)
650 Nuckholls RoadBolivar, TN 38008 (no telephone)
Medical Center Home Health of Trenton (branch)
200 Hospital Drive, Suite 302Trenton, TN 38382 (no telephone)
Morristown-Hamblen Home Care
908 W 4th North StreetMorristown, TN 37814 423-623-4100

She can call and find out if anything is close enough to her.

I encourage readers to contact this blog, if you need information. We will try to help.