The Senior Stumble!

The Senior Stumble is no joke!

My mother, as you may guess, is an aging senior, who just recently relocated from Florida to south jersey to be close to me. This relocation to South Jersey did not come soon enough.

Let me just preface by saying that my mother has always had the propensity to fall. Just like her mother. and guess what? I am not too far behind. Pretty scary for being a YOUNG babyboomer!

So the story goes- my 75 year old mother, who is physically fit I might add, was out for her morning walk 2 days ago when the pavement met with her head. A raised sidewalk was not expected, and down she went. Who would think that a 1/2" raise in the side would create such havoc. www.cooperheatlh.org/cni

Fortunately, she didn't lose consciousness and was able to contact my dad, who in turn called me. We met at Virtua Hospital Voorhees, www.virtua.org. where they took her in immediately did some scans and found that she had a frontal lobe brain bleed. (I think that is the terminology!). Hence, transferred to Cooper Trauma. - www.cooperhealth.org/content/traumacenter.htm which by the way, is an amazing place!!!

Brain bleed, 4 stitches to her forehead, softball size lump, broken nose and painful back! The back is a problem because of a bike fall last year in Florida prior to her relocation here.

My father, was so upset, he could barely function. Although I knew my mother was going to be okay, my father just couldn't get it together. The confusion he was experiencing was quite upsetting. I finally realized that when you are a senior of 80 years old, and your spouse of 54 years who is in this kind of injured condition, all the mortality issues come to the forefront. This is one of the main reasons that I am so happy that they left Florida and moved here to South Jersey allowing me to oversee these types of incidents. Those of you out there who have senior parents must be able to relate to this.

I realize I am the "Sandwich Generation" in which I must look after my teens and my aging parents.

But let me tell you- I wouldn't have it any other way. The timing couldn't have been better. Thanks goodness South Jersey have wonderful,attentive hospitals.

A Senior Stumble is no joke!