CONVERSATION WITH AN OLDER ADULT
Description
Ms. Connie Kramer (pseudonym) is a sixty nine year old woman. She was born on March 3rd, 1944. She is five feet four inches tall with brown hair that is greying, and has blue eyes. Connie weighs approximately 125 pounds. Ms. Kramer looks very young for her age, dresses neatly, and has well groomed hair. Her clothes were clean and ironed. Her nails and feet were manicured.
Ms. Kramer listens and speaks very well, she loves to talk and loves visitors. Ms. Kramer gets around very well; I did not notice any issues with her mobility. Ms. Kramer is a very independent person living alone which is called “ageing in place.”
She does all of her own shopping, cooking, housework, and manages her own finances. Ms. Kramer states she does not have any problems with bathing herself, using the toilet, feeding herself, or bladder and bowel control. She even remembers to take her own medication.
Ms. Kramer indicates she keeps excellent track of her doctor appointments and daily tasks by putting them on a monthly calendar. She is currently waiting to hear from her doctor for results on some health related tests. Unfortunately, she may be a diabetic.
A handyman comes once a month to do the work in and out of her home that she is incapable of doing, such as mowing the lawn, plumbing, and painting.
Ms. Kramer owns her home and keeps it very clean; nothing is out of place and even her floors shine from waxing.
Ms. Kramer drives herself everywhere needed. She has lots of friends that visit often. She has no problems with reading and comprehension; this is displayed when she takes her daily medication on time. In fact, Connie orders some of her medicine from Canada every ninety days because it is only $350.00 per month which is cheaper than what is covered by her health care provider, Blue Care Network Advance and Medicare. She also has a “part D” which fills her prescribed medication. Connie’s income comes from a pension from Chrysler, Social Security Insurance, and from her deceased spouse. She was receiving Unemployment Compensation Benefits, but it ended three months ago.
Summary of Conversation
Ms. Kramer is a widow. Her husband died four years ago in May and she now lives alone. She moved from New York thirty two years ago with her husband to Oak Park Michigan because of his job transfer. They were married forty-three years. Ms. Kramer graduated from high school in 1959. Upon graduation she started working at Chrysler on the assembly line, got married, and then had three sons. Connie does not have any daughters however, she has three daughter-in-laws, and five grandchildren; which are her greatest assets. Two of the grandchildren are twin girls, they are two-and-a- half years old. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren; especially caring for the twins every Tuesday and Thursday. Ms. Kramer has two brothers and three sisters that all live out of state.
Her three sons and daughter in-laws live in different cities that are close to Michigan so they can visit often.
Ms. Kramer stated that she is becoming scared of living by herself because of the emptiness of the house. She says maybe in ten years from now she may want to go into an “independence living, "or a senior community close to her sons. She states not unless some illness comes upon her before then.
Ms. Kramer goes to church on a regular basis and likes to golf, knit, cook, participate in in a reading club, and scrape book in her spare time.
Connie is involved in a social organization where she is the chairperson of the community.
Analysis of this Older Adult
I spent an hour and fifty minutes with Ms. Kramer, she did not want me to leave, she was enjoying my company.
My conclusion of Ms. Kramer is that she is a very strong and independent person that handles change and adversity well. For example, when her
husband passed she did not allow that to cripple her life. Ms. Kramer is a very kind, loving person, who enjoys spending time with family, friends, neighbors, and fellow church members. She loves babysitting her two twin’s grandchildren twice a week. When she talks about her grandchildren her face and eyes lights-up. I think this is what keeps her going daily is looking forward to spending time with them as well as her family. Ms. Kramer personal support and caregivers are her family and friends.
While visiting with Ms. Kramer, her neighbors stopped by to check on her. The neighbors I encountered are very kind and about her age or slightly younger.
Some of them were widows like Connie that indicated their husbands have died within the last five years. This brings the neighborly group of women closer together; they all look out for each other.
Ms. Kramer appears to be healthy and intelligent. The only stressor in her life is trying maintain her home. She looks very good well for her age. Her family
means everything to her which causes a very strong relationship. I think due to her loving family, friends, and neighbors surrounding she will never feel alone.
Her Independence keeps her happy and her existence meaningful. I think this stage of her life has brought her great pleasure and experiences.
Analysis of Myself
What was it like for you?
It was very educational and I enjoyed every moment with her. I see Ms. Kramer as a strong role-model for older adults.
What is your reaction to spending time with this older person?
I truly enjoyed spending time with Ms. Kramer; she was a very pleasant and easy person to interview. I made sure she knew I was not going to use her real
name and assured her that this was a school project to interview an older adult. I wanted to make sure she was comfortable with the interviewing process
fortunately, she was. Ms. Kramer kept trying to feed me; about every five minutes she offered me something to eat out of politeness.
How did you feel?
Ms. Kramer made me very comfortable and relaxed in her home; I have never been in her home before. She is my ex-neighbor from our previous community.
We also belong to the same church. We have always talked outside and held long conversation, so when she welcome me into her home I was pleased.
We have only known each other for about four years. She knew I was in school pursing my degree in Social Work and she was very glad I interviewed her.
What did you learn?
I learned a lot of information on Ms. Kramer’s past and present.
I learned that older adults have stories about their past that will benefit the younger generation for the common good.
She taught me no matter what negative obstacles occur in life you still must stand strong and overcome them. You must persevere.
Furthermore, just because a person is elderly that does not mean that they have to stop living and start "rocking in a rocking chair” and give up
their life to become a “couch potato.”
Finally, I learned that determination will lead to success in everything you attempt.
References
Images were found using Google Image search. June 11, 2013
Kramer, C. Personal Communication, June 10, 2013
Phillips, J., Ajrouch, K. & Nalletamby, S. (2012). Key Concepts in Social Gerontology. Los Angeles: Sage
Ms. Connie Kramer (pseudonym) is a sixty nine year old woman. She was born on March 3rd, 1944. She is five feet four inches tall with brown hair that is greying, and has blue eyes. Connie weighs approximately 125 pounds. Ms. Kramer looks very young for her age, dresses neatly, and has well groomed hair. Her clothes were clean and ironed. Her nails and feet were manicured.
Ms. Kramer listens and speaks very well, she loves to talk and loves visitors. Ms. Kramer gets around very well; I did not notice any issues with her mobility. Ms. Kramer is a very independent person living alone which is called “ageing in place.”
She does all of her own shopping, cooking, housework, and manages her own finances. Ms. Kramer states she does not have any problems with bathing herself, using the toilet, feeding herself, or bladder and bowel control. She even remembers to take her own medication.
Ms. Kramer indicates she keeps excellent track of her doctor appointments and daily tasks by putting them on a monthly calendar. She is currently waiting to hear from her doctor for results on some health related tests. Unfortunately, she may be a diabetic.
A handyman comes once a month to do the work in and out of her home that she is incapable of doing, such as mowing the lawn, plumbing, and painting.
Ms. Kramer owns her home and keeps it very clean; nothing is out of place and even her floors shine from waxing.
Ms. Kramer drives herself everywhere needed. She has lots of friends that visit often. She has no problems with reading and comprehension; this is displayed when she takes her daily medication on time. In fact, Connie orders some of her medicine from Canada every ninety days because it is only $350.00 per month which is cheaper than what is covered by her health care provider, Blue Care Network Advance and Medicare. She also has a “part D” which fills her prescribed medication. Connie’s income comes from a pension from Chrysler, Social Security Insurance, and from her deceased spouse. She was receiving Unemployment Compensation Benefits, but it ended three months ago.
Summary of Conversation
Ms. Kramer is a widow. Her husband died four years ago in May and she now lives alone. She moved from New York thirty two years ago with her husband to Oak Park Michigan because of his job transfer. They were married forty-three years. Ms. Kramer graduated from high school in 1959. Upon graduation she started working at Chrysler on the assembly line, got married, and then had three sons. Connie does not have any daughters however, she has three daughter-in-laws, and five grandchildren; which are her greatest assets. Two of the grandchildren are twin girls, they are two-and-a- half years old. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren; especially caring for the twins every Tuesday and Thursday. Ms. Kramer has two brothers and three sisters that all live out of state.
Her three sons and daughter in-laws live in different cities that are close to Michigan so they can visit often.
Ms. Kramer stated that she is becoming scared of living by herself because of the emptiness of the house. She says maybe in ten years from now she may want to go into an “independence living, "or a senior community close to her sons. She states not unless some illness comes upon her before then.
Ms. Kramer goes to church on a regular basis and likes to golf, knit, cook, participate in in a reading club, and scrape book in her spare time.
Connie is involved in a social organization where she is the chairperson of the community.
Analysis of this Older Adult
I spent an hour and fifty minutes with Ms. Kramer, she did not want me to leave, she was enjoying my company.
My conclusion of Ms. Kramer is that she is a very strong and independent person that handles change and adversity well. For example, when her
husband passed she did not allow that to cripple her life. Ms. Kramer is a very kind, loving person, who enjoys spending time with family, friends, neighbors, and fellow church members. She loves babysitting her two twin’s grandchildren twice a week. When she talks about her grandchildren her face and eyes lights-up. I think this is what keeps her going daily is looking forward to spending time with them as well as her family. Ms. Kramer personal support and caregivers are her family and friends.
While visiting with Ms. Kramer, her neighbors stopped by to check on her. The neighbors I encountered are very kind and about her age or slightly younger.
Some of them were widows like Connie that indicated their husbands have died within the last five years. This brings the neighborly group of women closer together; they all look out for each other.
Ms. Kramer appears to be healthy and intelligent. The only stressor in her life is trying maintain her home. She looks very good well for her age. Her family
means everything to her which causes a very strong relationship. I think due to her loving family, friends, and neighbors surrounding she will never feel alone.
Her Independence keeps her happy and her existence meaningful. I think this stage of her life has brought her great pleasure and experiences.
Analysis of Myself
What was it like for you?
It was very educational and I enjoyed every moment with her. I see Ms. Kramer as a strong role-model for older adults.
What is your reaction to spending time with this older person?
I truly enjoyed spending time with Ms. Kramer; she was a very pleasant and easy person to interview. I made sure she knew I was not going to use her real
name and assured her that this was a school project to interview an older adult. I wanted to make sure she was comfortable with the interviewing process
fortunately, she was. Ms. Kramer kept trying to feed me; about every five minutes she offered me something to eat out of politeness.
How did you feel?
Ms. Kramer made me very comfortable and relaxed in her home; I have never been in her home before. She is my ex-neighbor from our previous community.
We also belong to the same church. We have always talked outside and held long conversation, so when she welcome me into her home I was pleased.
We have only known each other for about four years. She knew I was in school pursing my degree in Social Work and she was very glad I interviewed her.
What did you learn?
I learned a lot of information on Ms. Kramer’s past and present.
I learned that older adults have stories about their past that will benefit the younger generation for the common good.
She taught me no matter what negative obstacles occur in life you still must stand strong and overcome them. You must persevere.
Furthermore, just because a person is elderly that does not mean that they have to stop living and start "rocking in a rocking chair” and give up
their life to become a “couch potato.”
Finally, I learned that determination will lead to success in everything you attempt.
References
Images were found using Google Image search. June 11, 2013
Kramer, C. Personal Communication, June 10, 2013
Phillips, J., Ajrouch, K. & Nalletamby, S. (2012). Key Concepts in Social Gerontology. Los Angeles: Sage