aging – Page 4 – Madison Catholic Herald

Q. My father has just asked me to be his health care power of attorney. I am not sure what that entails and what my responsibilities would be. We have a good relationship and I am willing to help him (he is 78 and in fairly good health). In the worst case scenario what would this mean? (From a son in Dodgeville)

A. This is a great question because there is a lot of confusion about health care power of attorney and what that entails.

The power of attorney or “agent” is a person who has the permission to make health care decisions for the “principal” (in your case your father) in the event of incapacitation.

On January 18, 2012May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Following the recipe for a good life

During the holidays I love hearing from old friends, voices from my past; Charlotte, a “mother’s helper” who lived with us for her senior year of high school and now has grandchildren of her own; Tom and Betty, who taught with Bob in the ’50’s and shared our laughter and tears.

They were the short term relationships, the layers of love that add flavor and richness to our lives. The long term relationships were the foundation.

I thought of the analogy as I was making my seven layer taco dip for a New Year’s Eve party.

On December 18, 2011May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Change is not such a bad thing

Aging is all about changes. Some changes are in-evitable. Some are good. And some are plain difficult.

Changing seasons is welcome. On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I stood sorting through my closet before dressing for church. The time for rusts and golds was past and it was too soon for Christmas colors. I picked purple.

An hour later as I walked into church, our sacristan grabbed my arm. “You remember that you’re a lector today, right?” I hadn’t, of course.

On December 18, 2011

Jean Mueller

Keeping a family tradition alive with help

Q. I am getting ready for my annual trip out east to spend time with my mother over the holidays.

Mom is in her 80s and it is getting more and more difficult for her to do everything — yet she insists on keeping up all of the old traditions and will not allow any of us to help.

By the time I leave she is exhausted and I am stressed and feeling guilty. Is there any way to convince her all the “fuss” is not necessary, without hurting her feelings?

(A daughter in Dodgeville)

On November 16, 2011May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Faith of our Fathers

I am most thankful this year for my astonishing discovery that traveling in Europe is still possible in your 80’s as long as you have a young and loving travel companion.

I recently did it with my 26 year-old granddaughter, Hillary, and a fun-loving group of Luxembourg Americans. There were 29 of us plus three guides.

Touring the countryside

I loved the rides on the tour bus each day because they were never too long (Luxembourg is only the size of Rhode Island) and the scenery was magnificent.

On October 20, 2011September 27, 2023

Kat Wagner, Catholic Herald Staff

Looking closely at aging issues

In the next two decades, the proportion of Americans over 65 years of age is projected to increase to nearly 20 percent of the population — more than seven percent greater than the proportion in the year 2000. This difference represents an estimated increase of 36 million people: the population over 65 in 2030 could be around 71 million.

On October 20, 2011

Jean Mueller

Helping an aging parent from a distance

Q. I am becoming more and more concerned that my mom is not doing well.

She has lost many of her friends and when we speak I think there may be some depression going on.

I live on the West coast and can’t be there to actually see what is happening. What can I do? How do I get mom to accept help? (From daughter in San Francisco, Calif.)

A. Your concerns are very legitimate. Losses can be very hard to deal with especially as we get older and have fewer options to replace the loss.

On October 20, 2011

Jean Mueller

Alzheimer’s and dementia

Q. I have heard people use the term dementia, and then others will say Alzheimer’s disease. What is the difference and how can I tell if my dad is developing either one of them? (From a son in Southern Wisconsin.)

This is a very common question and there is a lot of confusion about this, so I am glad you asked.

Dementia is used as more of a general term that describes some symptoms.

The symptoms included in dementia are forgetfulness, repeating words or statements, and loss of judgment, to name a few.

On September 15, 2011May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Inspiration from my elders

Remember how you always looked up to the “older” ones?

When you were four, they were the six-year-olds; they went to school. But when you got to school yourself, it was the eighth graders who were the big shots, and to them it was the high school kids, who looked up to the college kids, etc.

On August 18, 2011May 20, 2021

Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Staying young through laughter

I learned about God’s humor from Sister Gregory, a delightful Franciscan nun who was staff advisor for my high school newspaper.

As editor, I had to “put the paper to bed,” meaning write the last headlines, cross all the t’s, and dot the i’s before going to press.

One night we had to work right through dinner time and both confessed we were hungry.

Sister excused herself and returned after a moment with a heaping, fragrant bowl of popcorn.