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Original poster

Helping my 100 year old Gran

13 replies

Earthdog · 06/12/2009 12:44

Any suggestions for improving the life of my centenarian Granny? She is chair bound but until recently she has been able to watch the TV and read the newspaper. However her eyes have degenerated badly (she has seen an optician) so she can no longer read. We have bought her a new lamp and a magnifying glass but this hasn't helped much. She has also given up on the TV so is just sat with no stimulation. I see her twice weekly and she has a social carer every week but I would like to do more for her..Thanks

OP posts:
Uriel · 06/12/2009 12:48

Audiobooks?
Isn't there a audio magazine/newspaper service too - I'll see if I can find a link.

Original poster
Earthdog · 06/12/2009 12:51

Agh sorry forgot to add she is pretty deaf too :-(

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Uriel · 06/12/2009 12:53

This is the RNIB's Talking Books page and this is their Big Print newspaper page.

HTH.

chocolatespiders · 06/12/2009 12:55

Her local council should have a RNIB worker that can assess her and provide equipment.. they can provide things for TV etc..

also Occupational Therapy assessment may be a good idea as they can provide aids to help daily living

Original poster
Earthdog · 06/12/2009 13:06

That's great many thanks :-) I will certainly look into this cheers.

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Elibean · 06/12/2009 13:36

Its not easy, we had exactly the same situation with my gran at around this age...we worried because she was bored and frustrated, and also because she would retreat into her own little world. Audio books didn't work too well, but she enjoyed the radio. Mum used to set it to her favourite channels.

She thrived on company, and never lost the ability to have a political row or a good laugh until she died at nearly 102...but unfortunately she lived in Paris, and we're in London. Not easy to spend lots of time with her.

Does your gran have a lot of visits?

Original poster
Earthdog · 06/12/2009 18:00

Ah your Gran was brilliant by the sound of it! My Gran has kept her sense of humour and loves a chat, but has also gone into her own world since her senses deteriorated; she says very odd things sometimes..luckily we are only a 15 minute drive away but twice weekly visits are all we can manage usually (as my Mum is very ill) Granny has carers four times a day but they don't have time to chat, so I am also going to look into volunteer visitors who might chat to her and give her someone new to think about. Her friends are either no longer with us or too ill to visit. She used to have a radio but went off it maybe because she couldn't hear well. Thanks for your thoughts x

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Original poster
Earthdog · 06/12/2009 18:23

PS I have just emailed the RNIB about getting a sample of the Big Print Newspaper, thanks!

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Elibean · 07/12/2009 13:52

Earthdog, I'm so sorry your Mum is ill. Sounds hard all round, for all of you. Vol visitors are a great idea, good luck with that

ps yes, she was quite a woman, sadly died (not sadly for her, she was more than ready I think) just before her 102nd birthday last January. Very odd not having her around, after all this time.

Original poster
Earthdog · 07/12/2009 14:54

Thanks for your kind words Elibean, things have been tough but I am on longish term leave from work, so at least I do have time to deal with things at the moment. Gran doesn't know Mum is ill which is difficult. Your Gran made a great age, I think my Gran could get there too as she looks very well actually, despite her problems. She seemed pretty good today and let me put the TV on for the first time in weeks so maybe thats a good sign. Thanks again.

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colditz · 07/12/2009 14:56

Music - she can have it loud
Big photo album

Elibean · 07/12/2009 16:08

Yes, loud music (on radio) was good for my gran. Towards the end she couldn't see well enough for photos, but if yours can thats a great idea (we did send large photos for the last few years, but even those weren't enough by 101!).

It must be hard having your gran not know about your Mum, Earth

Original poster
Earthdog · 08/12/2009 22:45

Thanks for the extra, good ideas, I will dig the radio out again... also, we do go through old photos and postcards with her sometimes, she still has memories of life with the farm horses when she was a girl (smile) This morning she pressed the lifeline at 4.30am -agh- she was confused and thought it was the morning and that the carers hadn't been, but she was fine once we had had a chat and an apple juice! Elibean, I worry about not telling her about Mum and what might happen eventually..but the consensus seems to be that she couldn't cope with knowing. Thanks again for your help and thoughts xx

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