87-year old questions
 

Hello everyone,

I'm going to help my 87-year old mother move into her new house in The Villages next month (Lake Deaton/Hillsbourough area). We're from Toronto.

I have a few questions for you:

- she wants Plantation Shutters. Any supplier(s) you would recommend?

- she needs a family Doctor, experienced with older women.

- she would like a caregiver 2 hours a day to make lunch and dinner, clean up, take her for walks and shopping, etc. Any person/service to recommend?

- she wants to get a Medical Alert system that she wears and can press a button in case of emergency. Is there a particular service that Villagers tend to use.

- she wants to buy a Golf Cart. Is there a particular vendor she should contact.

Thanks in advance for your help. I'm hoping to get her to learn to use her Ipad by reading this forum every morning.

Larry (in Canada)

Welcome to TOTV Ms Betty.

Larry, I assume your mother is an American citizen, qualified to receive health care in the US, and not limited to 182 days in a calendar year (USA regulations for Canadian citizens).

Have you looked into assisted living as well?

Golf carts are not easy to drive and navigate the cart roads, and tunnels to get to the other side. Believe me it is a very scarce experience for a newbie, especially if she needs someone to take her for walks.

Oh My...............Just based on the few comments that were listed and not knowing if there are more positive situation comments that were not listed and if your mom is a US citizen.......I would suggest to rethink this!

There are a number of home health care agencies in this area. Google "home health care the villages" and you should get a list to contact. They can probably provide a list of charges for the services you might need.

Google "medical alert system" and you'll get lots of companies that provide this. If you mom plans to be mobile, I'd strongly recommend one based on cellular technology (as in cell phone). They have a gps chip and can work away from home as well as in the house.

You should look at assisted living, if for no other reason that as a backup. Given her age, at some point she may need assisted living.

While you are here, talk to an attorney experienced in elder law. (I use Amy Reed Pittman, but there are other like the Millhorn law firm). She will need to do power of attorney and will which conform to FL law. Realize that Canadian documents may or may not cover things which FL requires.

Most doctors in this area are familiar with caring for elderly women (and men). I'm partial to The Villages clinics, all of which are golf cart accessible. My parents saw Dr Norman Novis while they were in a nursing home in Lady Lake and I was favorably impressed by him.

Before you buy her a golf cart, I would rent one and have her drive it with you in it. Take a long ride (like 30+ minutes). You may decide that this is not a good idea.

Good luck.

Send me an email. I specialize in helping with these situations.
jane032657@aol.com

i'm not trolling.

I'm just looking for experiences you've had with suppliers because we have a lot to do when we get there.

I kind of agree with you regarding the golf cart. We'll rent one first, and see how she does.

If anyone knows of a good Plantation Blinds supplier, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

Larry

My dad who is 93 just moved here. He has his own place in the historic district and we live near where your mom is moving, about 30 minutes south of him. He purchased a used electric cart for $2500 and drives it in his neighborhood, where the traffic is much greater than our (and your mom's) area. Blinds Plus Shutters did our whole 1700 sq' courtyard villa for $3800. Love the plantation shutters! Dad has a caregiver and I will forward your post on to her, but she lives in Spanish Springs and is not that close to your Mom. Dad pays her $12/hr for caregiving and $25/hr for cleaning. I'm not sure about cooking, as I cook all of his food except when he eats out. Most of the primary care doctors here seem to specialize in geriatric medicine. There are many residents in their 80's. It seems to me that driving a car or cart and integrating into a new environment is different for each individual. I wish your mom well!

She may be a very young 87 year old.
My 87 year old Mother-in-Law still works about 30 hours a week at Macy's and is self sufficient. It keeps her young.

Not a good idea if there is no family support.

Totally agree!!!!! I know you are not looking for that advice, but if family is not also liiving in TV, she should be in assisted living. To have her live her without family....??????????

Larry, you didn't answer my question. You said in your first post that you are both from Toronto, Canada.
Is Ms Betty an American citizen? If she is a Canadian citizen, there are many implications regarding health care and pensions.
Perhaps I can answer some questions you may have.

Some people who are 87 are a young 87, I agree. My neighbor still golfs at 92.
However the OP said Ms Betty needs a caregiver to help with walks and shopping.
I think that is why people are worried about her driving a golf cart.