Evening star., 1959-11-29
YOUR FAMILY
AND YOU
Mother
Turns the
Tables
By DR.. PAUL POPENOE

IL is not as easy Tor grand
parents to find a home as it
used to be. The tract house
or three-room. kitchenette-
and-bath apartment don't
lend themselves conveniently
to the immigration Of an
elderly couple or even one
aged parent wanting to move
in with the young folks.
1t is often done and some
times (though not often, I
fear) done successfully. But
in most instances the seniors
should keep their own home
or their own living quarters
as long as possible.
That is frequently the case
even when there is only one
who has been widowed by the
death Of a lifelong partner.
MY father died two
months ago and we're trying
to get my mother to move
in with us" writes Mrs. N.
1T would sure be inconven-
lent, but I'd feel guilty if we
did anything else. I know
my husband is even less en-
thusiaStic. but he wants to
do the right thing Surpris-
ingly to me, mother Is OBJ
jecting.
"She says she is getting
along perfectly and wants to
be left alone. I'm afraid all
our friends and relatives will
criticize me if she stays away,
DR.. Popenoe."
If that is the only thing
on which they can criticize
you, Mrs. NJ, you are certain
ly lucky. 1t seems to me that
1t is your mothers own busi-
ness and, even though she
might be very old, if she is
reasonably sound of mind and
body let her stay where she
is and help her to be as safe
and comfortable as possible.
There are a number of
points on which you might
watch her:
l. Diet. A good many ell
derly people actually suffer
from serious malnutrition,
partly because they don't
know how to balance up q
simple diet and partly be-
cause it is too much trouble
to do so. 1t is often found
that a man living alone pre-
pares all his food in the
frying pan. He needs to get
a few new ideas.
A woman living alone often
falls into the habit of hardly
even preparing meals. 1t is
easier to take some prepared
cereal and a cup of instant
coffee at the kitchen sink.
Some of the most serious
difficulties of older years are
due to nothing but improper
diet. Every such person
should make a study of it.
You can probably get free
bulletins from your local
health department or Govern
ment agency, or phone any
high school and ask the
home economies teacher
what she recommends. The
public library is, of course,
an unfailing standby for
such books as those of Adele
Davis, to which many people
feel they owe their lives.
2. An annual physical
checkup preferably semi
annual as the years 60 on) is
imperative. One who has no
insurance or other group
medical plan to depend on
might be able to learn by
phoning the local health de-
partment where proper as
Sistance can be had at little
or no cost.
8. Every retired person
should cultivate at least one
hobby, but it ought to be one
that lends itself to some
Sociability. Making model
ships in their own basement
is all right for those who like
it, but it isn't enough to pro-
mote good mental health.
Any sort of a hobby or rec
reation that will bring them
into contact with other
people will be beneficial.
4. Finally it is essential
that older people take some
active part in community
welfare and betterment. Even
one who is too crippled to
get out of the house can do
a good deal by letter and
telephone. This is impera-
tive, and this is one of the
points, Mrs. N, with which
you can probably help your
mother greatly.
Write me with. stamped,
self-addreSsed envelope for a
free reprint, Activities for
Senior Citizens" It will give
you a good start.