Senior Assistance PN

Hi @kristin24 I'm turning 70 next week, and I understand how your mother is feeling during the Covid19. Depending on where a person lives, it can be a scary time. My wife and I live out in the country with 10 acres, so we're used to being safe in our own space.

Does your mother have a cell phone that receives texts? Does she own a computer that someone could teach her how to use? Senior centers have classes for people like her. I know that a lot of centers are closed right now, but they might know someone who could teach her at home.

If you see her often, you could be her secretary to read messages and respond for her.

Let us know if any of the things I've talked about would be useful.

Jim

Hello @kristin24, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @jimhd and also thank you for helping your mother. I'm 77 and have friends older who tinker on the computer and enjoy it as it can help them keep their brain healthy and active. Medicare offers some free online classes that she might like if she has a computer or tablet and a friend or neighbor close by that could help her get started.

Senior Computer Classes to Try Online for FREE: https://www.medicare.org/articles/senior-computer-classes-to-try-online-for-free/

Does she live at home alone or is she in a senior living center?

Hello. No she does not have a cell phone but she does have a land line phone. She honestly don't want to learn the technology, my mom can't use a 'smart tv' so I can't keep it upstairs. My mom lives with my husband and I so she's not alone but it doesn't help her. I will see if she'd be interested in learning the computer.... Thank you

Hi @kristin24 I know what you mean about having a mother who has zero interest in technology. My elderly mother will not even consider becoming "tech savvy". She has zero interest in computers, cellphones, etc. That stuff is all before her time. Probably 15 years ago, when she was 83, we, her kids, tried to talk her into learning enough so she could exchange email with us. Out of the question. Not her thing. She is a prolific letter writer, or at least she used to be until her eyes got bad. My wife is similar regarding computers. She has a non-smart cell phone. That is about the extent of what she is willing to do. She can sure whiz around the TV though, DVR, internet connection, ROKU, etc. No problem. For one thing she hates to type for some reason. So anyway, I totally understand your mother's resistance to technology and I respect it. I think it is very difficult for some people who are older to relate to this new techo world. I really get it. I think Jim's @jimhd idea could work, you could be your mom's go between for information. My wife has neuropathy and as I said has no interest in tech stuff, especially computers, so I have become her conduit for that. It would require you dedicating a certain amount of time online, but I have been posting to Mayo Connect since January and have learned a great deal that has helped my wife as well as myself to understand more about her condition. I see that as a good bet in your situation. Hope you find a way to get her questions and issues answered. Best, Hank

I appreciate your response. My mom has no desire to learn the internet, pc or even a tv. She is very 'old school' as she says. I suggested all this to her last night and she ignored me so i'm guessing she's not interested in learning. I'm out of options. I'm 40ish so I understand the whole doing everything online but I was hoping to find someone that would chat on the phone. I get it tho but my mom doesn't understand this new way of how things are. Anyways, again thank you and I will try to keep working on her to learn since this is her only way.

Hi @kristin24 I am guessing from your Mayo handle your name is Kristin? My wife Linda, whom I mentioned to you in my previous post as one of your mother's fellow technophobes and neuropathy sufferers, has said she will be glad to talk to your mom by phone about her neuropathy. If you send me the phone number in a private mail I will pass it along to her. Best time for Linda to talk is between noon and 4pm central time (we are in Tennessee, thus on central time). If that timeframe won't work for your mom let me know and we can see about working something out.

To send me a private mail, click on my face over to the left of this post, that will bring up my profile and there, just to the right of my face, it will say "Send Private Message". Click on that and write the message. I will be on the lookout for your private message there. Hope to hear from you. Best, Hank

I will be sending a private message to you in a second. Thank you for telling me how to, I would have been lost.

There are two books, with the latest results of Peripheral Neuropathy research annd treatments , right now, world wide. Author Dr Norman Doidge. The book in the photo is book 2. It is important you read his first book "The Brain that Heals Itself " first, not the one in picture. If you have trouble reading, I'm sure you will find a friend or family member to read and discuss. It tells us of a new world of successful solutions. Best wishes, and go for it. I am aged 89 and practicing Neuroplasticity, which is explained in the books.

@user_che214927 Hi Barry my neuropathy is hurting so bad today I,d like to get thebook what is the 1st book?

I'm sorry to hear your pain has increased. In this book, chapter 7 is all about managing pain, or, as it is with me, virtually eliminating it. I suggest you don’t go directly to chap 7, but read carefully right from the start.Both books are not to read, simply as an interesting read. It took me about 3 months to read book 1.Highlight the various points, with a marker pen, the study or research online. Re read these points often, until you fully understand, as best you can. The indisputable fact is that the brain is plastic, can be healed or regrown, and Doidge discusses possible solutions. No medibcation, pills, tableets, or injections required , just actions by you. Total reversal of peripheral-neuropathy is possibe if you REALLY WANT, AND PREPARED TO HANG IN no matter what others say or think. Just grit you teeth and go for it. In saying this I am assuming you DO HAVE peripheral-neuropathy. If you have not then bbook an appointment Immediately with an neurologist or vist Mayo Centre. Best wishes