Lesson Four: Mom Can’t Drive Any More.

One of the toughest things for an elderly person to accept is not being able to drive anymore. These words to her mean taking away her independence. My mom has dealt pretty well with having others drive her but she has her moments. In her mind, someday she will be better and be able to drive again. To this day, she will ask me when she’ll be able to drive again. It’s tough to reputedly tell he she won’t be driving again. In fact, I encourage you NOT to be the one who tells he she can’t drive, and then you will be the bad guy. Better to let the doctor or social worker do the talking. In fact, in a real tough situation, take mom to a Secretary of State office to take the driving test.

One major factor to consider is to sell her car and give her the money for her discretionary fund. Say her car sells for $2500. This money could be used on something else that could make her happy, like cloths, a trip or vacation, several beauty salon visits or a new household item. Hey, the car was just sitting there anyway! Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Action Step Three: Take Mom Shopping

What a great way to help mom feel good about herself all over again. Plus, the new cloths will fit her new physique better than the old ones she may have shrunk out of.
So your next action step will be to take mom shopping and buy at least one new outfit.
As a result to my encouragement, mom has recently purchased a complete new wardrobe.

So, discover what her favorite store is and plan a shopping excursion. More than likely she can afford it but if not, have the family all kick in for her new cloths. It will make everyone feel good and get mom looking her best for other social gatherings.

One word of caution. Watch out for catalog capers your mom might fall into. Hey, there is nothing wrong with catalogs as they have their place. My point is when sizes change; it is necessary for mom to try on her new wardrobe. It’s best to take her shopping plus it gets her out of the house.

If you do have to rely on catalogs, measure mom so you have a better idea on what her size is. This will help minimize returns and trips to the post office.

Lesson three: The incredible shrinking woman

Change is inevitable. Men experience all types of bodily change. When women get old, all sorts of things happen that make the male issues pale in comparison to what women experience. Hormones change, weight and height also change. Women actually shrink. This shrinking is due to the reduction of calcium in their bodies causing their spines to get shorter. At least that's what I have been told.

One thing I noticed about my mom was how she shrank out of her cloths. After some serious persuading, I encouraged her to get a new wardrobe which she needed for many reasons.

The situation my mom had that was causing her to shrink was Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone density reduction that is caused by a reduction of calcium in her body.

Shrinking is another way of life that we have to accept. So, like any other situation we have to accept and adjust to, shopping is a great distraction and cure for the blah's. Read on to action step three for some ideas on how to lighten up this physical condition.