Who Said Seniors Can't Lead Productive, Happy Lives? Meet My Dad (Blog)

It's Barb Dales, again, from DesMoinesConnections.com (my combination of Iowa Elder Care Management, LLC, and Keller Williams Realty). Ah, to add to these businesses, I am now selling tomatoes ... please read and call me!

I do elder care management and of all of the people I have ever met, I am always most inspired by my Dad, Neil. He will be 92 in April. We live together (so I do know firsthand what is involved in caregiving!). Dad is extremely visually impaired due to macular degeneration. He hasn't driven a car since 1993 and recently he said that his woodworking days are over. He just can't see to safely make the things he so enjoys. Dad is also hearing impaired and wears hearing aides in both ears.

By the way, Dad is a World War II vet serving in the Navy on the USS Remey. He used to sleep on deck, under the torpedoes. He and my Mom, Ruby, were married for 61 years until Mom passed away in 2008. 

Anyway, Dad needed an activity to help occupy his time that didn't require the demands of woodworking or the risks. So, we decided that he could start some tomato plants under grow lights in the basement. He's discovered that he is a great basement-farmer, as you can see from the pictures! Actually, the seeds came up 2 weeks ahead of schedule and we are overrun with plants.

Short of having my Mom with him, I think Dad is a pretty happy man. He is loved by many, has purpose and usefulness, and is always upbeat, rarely complains (he loves Des Moines and even the snow) and is ready to share a story or lend a hand. He has an amazing amount of determination and pushes himself to do things that I didn't think he could. 

He (and my Mom) is a good part of the reason that I own Iowa Elder Care Management, LLC. 

Please let me know if I can help your elder family member, too. Call Barb Dales at 515-419-9144, DesMoinesConnections@gmail.com. Thanks for looking!