Mid-Shore Life

Date for the event is Sept. 17th

William Hill Manor
located at
501 Dutchman Lane,
Easton, MD 21601

Time: 8:30am Check In and Breakfast /9:00am Guest Speaker Joan Katz
Topic: Telling Your Story

Participants will be introduced to:

• Process and usefulness of writing memoirs for themselves
• Many resources including genealogy websites available to use in writing their story
• Communicating and connecting with family members and friends
• Sharing the challenges and rewards of memoir writing
• Different ways to organize their memoirs
• The opportunity to reflect on their life choices, both personal and professional.

Directions:
Follow Rt 50 into Easton until you get to Dutchman’s Lane on the Southern edge of Easton. Go approximately one-half mile and you will see Manor House of William Hill Manor on your right. Turn right onto the main driveway.
Further directions - Google maps or (410) 822-8888

by Carolyn Kennedy

What is the definition of “old age”?  What about “elderly”?   Like many other subjects, you can do a search on the Internet and find all kinds of theories and answers.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most developed countries have accepted the chronological age of 65 years as a definition of ‘elderly’ or older person.

Various entities use other ages to define older.  For example, I live in an “over 55 community”.  Most of these communities have explicit descriptive names such as “Legacy”, “Del Web”, etc.  Others use more generic titles such as “age restricted”, “active adult”, 55+ or lifestyle communities.  As far as I can tell, the benefit of living in these communities is no kids, no bicycles lying on the pavement, no playgrounds, less noise.  There is also more opportunity for lunches out and bus trips.

Moreover, there are other benefits to getting older such as the “senior discount” at movies, coffee shoppes, McDonalds and elsewhere.  I believe these offers target the older person not the elderly.  Of course, although I am getting older, I’m not yet elderly!!

It is a proven thought that the older people get, the longer they think it takes for a person to reach “old age”.  Heaven forbid that old age should begin at 55.  According to a study done recently most women say old age begins at age 70, while men, on average, say that old age begins at 66.

AARP Talbot Chapter 1601 meeting at the Talbot Senior Center, 1:30 PM.  Chapter "Day of Service" - bring donations of canned and boxed foods or funds for the Hunger Coalition's Asbury Soup Kitchen project.  Program - "Gang Awareness" by Easton Police Detective Milton Orellana.  Call 410-822-8952 for information.

by Carolyn Smith-Kennedy

Someone once said:  “If God had intended us to follow recipes, He wouldn't have given us grandmothers.” Indeed even the great-granddaughters still ask my Mother how to make certain dishes.  Mother once was a very good cook and probably still would be if she could make it into the kitchen.  Her meals weren’t fancy but they sure were tasty. 

Mother was able to prepare delicious meals well into her 80’s.  A few years ago, however, it became clear to me that cooking was becoming a challenge and possibly a risk for her.  She did not give it up easily.

One of the first services I enrolled my parents in when it became clear that Mother could no longer cook as she had been was Meals on Wheels.  MOW is a wonderful resource available in most areas.  Just do a search online to find the Meals on Wheels location nearest you.  You do have to apply for the service but the application process is not too complicated.

by Carolyn Kennedy 

Caring for elderly loved ones often becomes a balancing act.  You must balance your life and comforts against theirs.  If you are employed you may at times have to miss several days on the job because your parents need your time, have a doctor appointment, or an unexpected need arises.

My husband and I try to live most of the winter months in Florida.  We are of the age where people start to say “at your age”, though we like to think we are in the prime of life.  Even a cool Florida feels good in January and February when the snow is falling in the North.  My elderly parents live in a northeastern state.  The Blizzards of 2010 created some challenges for keeping them safe and comfortable.

During the first storm in February, they were on their own.  They both rely on a walker to move around and because Mother is very frail and Father has macular degeneration, it is difficult for them to even prepare meals.  Fortunately we have caregivers who are there every day to prepare meals. 

Upcoming Programming in March at the Talbot County Free Library

20^th Annual Poetry Contest

The Friends of the Library and the Historical Society of Talbot County are sponsoring their 20^th annual county-wide poetry contest.  Pick up flyers outlining the rules and categories for entry at all library branches, the Historical Society, or on our library website: www.tcfl.org.  The contest is open to all residents of Talbot County.  Deadline for entry: March 19, 2010. 

Tuesday, March 2 - 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Talbot Senior Center - AARP Talbot Chapter 1601 will honor their members who are 90 or more years old.  Vintage music for a sing-a-long will be provided by Free and Eazy.  Remember to bring donations for the Asbury Soup Kitchen project.  For information, call 410-822-7852. 

Anticipation!  by Carolyn Smith-Kennedy

My parents live in a senior high rise apartment.  I moved them there six years ago when Mother was in hospital and I was told that she would come home in a wheelchair.  Luckily she did not, but I also feel fortunate that we moved to the senior building.  It is not assisted living.  They are on their own with lots of help from family and caregivers.  This is their desire.  They cannot afford an assisted living facility and do not want to be in a nursing home.  My desire is to keep them together and as comfortable as possible for as long as possible--thus, my constant search for resources.

Recently, the visiting nurse from the Department of Health suggested to me that I make an emergency kit for my parents.  She even gave me a list of items to make sure were on hand and said they needed to be in a duffel bag or some other container.  I thought that was a good idea but I didn’t do it exactly as she said I should.  I did, however, check the pantry, the medicines and the toiletry cabinet to make sure plenty of supplies were on hand.

The most disturbing thing about this big snow storm hitting the Northeast, however, is that the caregivers most likely will not be able to get to my parents for a few days.  That means they have no one to fix their meals.  They will most likely muddle through even though it will be difficult.  Neither can walk without an aid.  They have matching rolling walkers with a seat.  Mother cannot hear and he cannot see well due to macular degeneration.   But at 90 and 94, they both have sharp minds.

February 2010 Event/Screenings

Blood Pressure Screenings

Every Monday through Thursday, except holidays, 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm, Diagnostic and Imaging Center, 10 Martin Court, Easton. FREE. Sponsored by the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. No appointment needed.

Every Tuesday and Friday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Dorchester General Hospital, main lobby, 300 Byrn Street, Cambridge. FREE. Sponsored by the Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary. No appointment needed.

Breast Cancer Screenings

Day and evening appointments available at Shore Regional Breast Center, Memorial Hospital, 219 S. Washington Street, Easton. Open to uninsured or underinsured women, aged 20-39 and over 64, who meet income guidelines. Call 410-820-9400 to schedule an appointment.

Support Groups         

Cancer Support Groups  

EASTON—Create with classes from the artists of Gallery 26,
Easton’s newest art gallery with studio and classroom space for
artists-in-residence. Classes—for both adults and kids—range from
knitting and mosaics to printmaking and jewelry design. (See below for
the listing of classes and registration information.) Gallery 26 is
located at 26 W. Dover Street, in the old Cherry’s building.