Old age is not for sissies

Mom says, "Old age is not for sissies." Since she is 96 years old, I think she has earned the right to her opinion. She recently cracked a rib and did not complain a bit. Guess she is not a sissy. Last night we visited with Mr. B. who is current a young 83 and just retired this year from his job for the IRS. He liked working the computers but did not like having to talk on the phone with the public. Makes sense to me, since the public does not, in general, like dealing with the IRS. Anyway, we were visiting about his wife who has had two hip replacements, and according to Mr B, "Sits all day and does not get enough exercise and will not do her therapy." Needless to say, he is fed up with her inactivity. He says, "Her family prefers to complain rather than doing something about a problem." So it is safe to say that he is treating old age by confronting issues, but it seems his wife does not have the same point of view. I prefer his feisty approach. We have known them and visited with them for the past nine years. They have lived here in the park that whole time.

Then there is Lola and her husband. He is elderly and in an advanced stage of Alzheimer's. Lola is trying to take care of him and their dog. Last night he got away from her and was taking off directly across the park when we spotted him. I got in my cart and tracked him down and asked him to get in and I would take him for a ride. He got in with me but certainly did not want to go home. I insisted, but when we got to their fifth wheel home, Lola was not to be found. Some of his near neighbors were quite worried and helped us look for Lola, whom HW2 finally found in the laundry room. She thought he was asleep. He was mad at her because she wouldn't trade their truck for a new car. They need the truck when they move their fifth wheel trailer. So they argued, but it was very clear that he was very frustrated in his inability to argue in a coherent way or express himself. Alzheimer's is a terrible disease and takes a toll on the victim and his family, as well. He needs to be put in a home, but she has not come to that realization and acted upon it at this point. We worry that he might get lost or fall into the Guadalupe River, which runs through our campground, or that he might wander onto the main highway right outside the main gate. We felt like we were in full Deacon mode last night with Mr. B and Lola and their issues. Old age is not for sissies.