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Through rain, shine, snow, sleet, gloom of night...despite the popularity of complaints about the USPS your mail is almost always delivered exactly where it's supposed to be every day but Sunday. Yet that still leaves some of us with a problem because we don't want our frail elders trying to walk out to a mailbox on the street or down the road in the rain, sleet, gloom, etc. For some, a trip to the mailbox might as well be a jaunt up Mount Everest. Just like most every other problem we face, there may be a solution we simply haven't heard about yet. Did you know the U.S. Postal Service provides "hardship delivery" if your elder qualifies, and if the local post office has the resources? According to the astoundingly brief statement on the USPS.com website, your local post office will consider changing your mail delivery point if the existing method "imposes extreme physical hardship on the customer." There is no additional charge to the customer. The mail delivery carrier is apparently compensated for one additional minute of paid time for providing the service (Wow!). You have to make application and be approved for hardship delivery. The final decision is made by the local post office serving your ZIP Code. If they don't have the "resources" you may be declined. However, it certainly doesn't hurt to try. 1. Have your physician write a statement that details your medical conditions and the specific reasons why hardship delivery is necessary; then 2. Submit this letter to your local Postmaster along with a letter from you that states in detail why you need this assistance. Decisions are made on a "case-by-case" basis. You can locate the local Post Office for any ZIP code at the USPS website or by calling (800) 275-8777. P.S. (Please, try to resist writing me with your USPS disaster tale. I have a couple of doozies myself. And yet I think they do a pretty remarkable job considering the millions of items they deliver every day).
You may find this video interesting if you are caring for someone with a recent diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or one of the other closely related dementias. In the case of the couple in this video, the man with dementia has known from the beginning about his diagnosis. Both he and his wife describe their experiences from their individual perspectives, and they talk about some of the steps they are taking to deal with the disease.
Click on "Featured
Video: Life with Alzheimer's Disease."
I couldn't count the number of times I've heard a family member say "Oh, he walks around the block every day and he's never gotten lost." It scares me to death, because 60% or more of those with dementia eventually do wander. "Wander" means getting lost and not being able to find the way home. Those not found within an hour are often not found until it's too late, especially in the heat of the summer or when the temperature is freezing. For reasons unknown, people with confusion who are lost often seem to hide from searchers. Many are eventually found within a mile of home, but too late. I'm sure you have read or heard the recommendation that everyone with dementia who is able to get around at all should wear a Safe Return bracelet. That's a fine recommendation, and I concur. Unfortunately, it only works if the wanderer is found. First, searchers have to locate him or her. It's the finding that's the challenge. As soon as you can today, put an article of your loved one's worn, unwashed clothing in a sealed plastic bag. This will give searchers with dogs what they need to begin a search if it's ever necessary. This is definitely a better safe than sorry action item that we all hope you never have to use.
This may be the next best thing. There are 10 pounds of wood "furnishings" in this selection. They can be sorted, sanded, strung, painted, glued...whatever your man's imagination comes up with. And dementia or no dementia, he'll still have an imagination. You'll just have to watch to see where it goes. I recommend simply pouring these onto a table. Set out a couple of lengths of sturdy string that will fit through the drilled holes (keep the ends from fraying with a little dried white glue), a piece or two of sandpaper, and maybe several containers that could be used for sorting. Let him find this on his own, and don't make suggestions for "crafts." Most men hate the notion of "crafts," but they love to have busy hands. This 10 Pound Selection of Wooden Shapes is just one of the new things we've added to the Dementia Activities area of the store in the past couple of days. The Corner Store is how we pay for part of the cost of sending you this newsletter, so if you're inclined to shop I always appreciate it if you will check there first.
That's it for this time around. Live Well!
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