Mary Lou is actually doing pretty well, all things considered. Still 99% blind, but she can sort of see vague shapes and shadows if there’s a lot of light. She is an incredible person and is rising to the occasion valiantly. Good attitude and can get around the house pretty well with a walker. She hasn’t lost any mental acuity-- a 65-year career doing bookkeeping and tax preparation (up until last year) has kept the “little gray cells” in good shape. However, I don’t see (as it were) her learning Braille at this stage of the game. She turned 93 on Dec 10.
One of THE MOST maddening things about not being able to see is not being able to write anything down. So she has to remember everything. Who can do that at any age, let alone a very advanced age when you’re already stressed to the max?
As any of us who have ever recorded notes know, finding the note again is challenging–unless there’s some new technology I’ve never heard of. Is there?
She has connected with a senior care agency, but of course, I came to The Dope, the Source of anything worth knowing about.
Maybe use Siri to locate the note? I don’t use Siri much, but I’ve seen my gf (who works from home) working with two huge screens each with a dozen windows open, tell Siri to text someone without even looking at her phone.
That’s the link that Mary Lou’s son sent me that prompted my post this morning.
Pretty much. It is so incredibly INCONVENIENT!! Think of those times when you just need to jot down a phone number, or check your calendar, or read the freakin’ label on a package of food… AARRGGHH!
We’re hoping she can get some guidance from Lighthouse for the Blind. I know others have trod this path and there have to be ways to deal with the need to save and have access to the details of daily living.
Mary Lou is sharpening her Siri skills. One thing she has a hard time with is remembering exactly WHAT command to give, 'cause, you know… she can’t write anything down!
The other day I was showing [sic] her something and I just burst out with, “This not being able to see is such a BITCH!” To which she heartily agreed.
Mary Lou gets major points for keeping her own spirits up. She is amazing.
There are dedicated voice recorders (used to use mini tape cassettes, but are now digital). These might have tactile buttons (play, record, maybe they have next note/previous note) but that still leaves trying to find a specific note tricky.
It may help if she contacts a local organization or occupational therapist about how to deal with such thins. Hopefully there is someone that can be made available through her health insurance.