Many elderly retirees continue to live alone because they are active and physically fit. However, it is well known that often as we advance in age some of our mental and physical faculties begin to shift or lose their acuity. Therefore, staying connected is a good way to make sure that you are safe just in case you need assistance.
There are many electronic devices that are available today like medic-alert and others that can be of assistance to elderly people choosing to maintain their independence by living alone. Just as a back-up plan, seniors should provide at least two people they trust with contact information. Those two people should also have contact information for each other.
I have a wonderful friend that I worked with for years who is now in his late 80s. We talk periodically about once or twice a month during what we call our appointments to catch up. We talk about politics, life, the weather and a whole bunch of other very interesting topics. He is Veteran and came of age during the Depression. He is my very own personal walk through history. We are both history buffs and the conversations are both soothing and rewarding.
A few months past, I could not reach my friend by phone. We live in different states now and I became quite worried. I realized although I knew his only child and her husband I did not have any contact information for them. After a period of time I considered unreasonable for contacting him, I called the non-emergency number of the Police Department in the state where he lives. They asked some questions and I gave what I suppose were suitable answers and a police car was dispatched to his home. Very shortly thereafter, I received a phone call from my friend.
His land line in his home had been out of order and he didn’t know it because he doesn’t use the phone that regularly anymore. He called me on his cell phone of which I didn’t know he even had a cell phone. He made sure that I had all of his numbers and his daughter’s contact information if I were ever again unable to reach him. She had not called her father, and like me, did not know that his phone was out-of-order. Luckily, this time was only that his phone was out-of-order and he was just fine. It is much better to put precautionary measures in place so that we can be safe and not sorry. Are You Connected?
P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
Dianna Tafazoli
