Regarding Gun Ownership
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| Thu, 12-24-2009 - 12:47pm |
I have always been adamant about gun ownership and the responsibility that goes along with it. I think our gun laws and regulations are too lax....here is an example:
There is an older woman who is an ex aunt (by marriage) who is obviously in the early stages of Alzheimer's. I have been hearing stories about her "exploits" for several months. She is living with her daughter and husband and apparently is very headstrong and will not go to a doctor or take meds for her condition. Just last week, while I was visiting with another aunt and uncle, this woman's daughter mentioned her mother's gun. "Gun!" I exclaimed, "Do you mean she has a gun?" Her daughter looked a little embarrassed, but affirmed that yes, she has a gun. Then went on to tell about how she also has a concealed/carry permit! She then told about a few times when she was driving her mother in her car and asked where her gun was and was told it was in the side pocket in the door. Once it was just thrown into the trunk and rattled around back there for who knows how long. Then I asked the "scary" question...."Is it loaded?" You guess it, yes it is loaded and is always loaded. This woman has several young great grandchildren who visit often, and you know how youngsters are always getting into purses looking for gum or what not. I was just flabbergasted! If this isn't an accident waiting to happen, I don't know what is! I asked this woman's daughter if there was someway they could remove the firing pin (or whatever it is that makes the gun not fire). The daughter just kind of grinned and shrugged. I would hate to think one day one of her little grandchildren might accidently be shot or shoot someone.
Okay, off my soapbox.


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That's a frightening scenario. There are certainly people that shouldn't own any sort of firearm.
I've twice
In California people can notify the DMV about elderly drivers they are concerned about and possibly have their licenses pulled. This however, did not ever stop my father, who was nearly blind, had dementia and cancer from getting behind the wheel. The only thing that worked was Mom hiding the keys and a nephew disabling his car. Once Mom became too old to drive, we were so glad when her transmission went out. Unfortunately, she just informed us, she bought herself a car for Christmas.
Sigh.
When my FIL started showing signs of dementia/Alzheimer's, I tried to warn my DH & his sibs.
When my dad got lost, it was all I could do to convince Mom to notify the police, because she didn't want him mad at her. So I did it. Fortunately, they found him sleeping in the car in a parking lot. Poor guy had exhausted himself, driving around trying to find his way home. He's diabetic too, so he needed food. I'm all for putting a Lo-Jack on people in this condition, or at least GPS on their car. None of us live nearby, and they have fought tooth and nail for their independance. This has lead me to have to call emergency services when my mom was in tachycardia, because she wanted to shower and eat breakfast first. Dad was too out of it to even know what to do for her. He'd been telling me she was in bed for 5 days.
You sure have a lot on your plate with your folks. There is a hospital here that will take a person and put them in a ward where they will be evaluated. No family or phone calls except for structured visits. After this hospital stay one aunt was fitted with a wrist type tracking device. Medicare should pick up the bill for these hospital stays.
We have yet ANOTHER aunt who lives in a rural area with her husband, he is nearly 90, she is late 70s and also going through first stages of Alzheimer's....seems we have quite a few kinfolk with early or advanced stages. Her kids have tried to talk her into going to another dr (the one she sees now has her on loratab and other pain pills) and doesn't treat her for dementia or Alzheimer's. Of course, she and husband would walk out of the dr's office if he or his nurse suggested that. A nephew and family live close by and they try to keep an eye on them, but it is hard to know what to do for them. Her husband also has a gun (shotgun) and has been known to bring it out. We don't visit often, but when we do, we have to sit and listen to her bad mouth her twin sister who is widowed and has a busy social life. I know it is jealousy because she is stuck with a controlling husband and her sister is able to get out and do what she wants. It is just so hard to know what to do when they get like this. Good luck with your parents.
Yeah, my FIL was diabetic as well.
Our small rural towns in this area have CATs buses too, that will take people to shopping at Wal Mart and to dr appts. and etc. but you have to be able to tell the driver where you want to go, and our aunt can't remember five minutes after you tell her something. Uncle is legally blind and so hard of hearing even with his hearing aid, I don't think they would ever use the bus.
Uncle's daughter is the one who drives them places and does their shopping, but she also has the "pistol packin' momma" (sorry I know it isn't a joking matter) to try to look after. If this daughter lives to be 60 it will be a miracle as she is running herself crazy. Also her brother and his kids and grandkids are going over to aunt & uncle's house and "borrowing" money all the time. Just last week, one grandson came over to "borrow money for medicine" and uncle only had a $100 bill so he gave it to him and is still sitting and waiting for his change. This grandson never comes around unless he wants money.
Another grandson and girlfriend stayed with aunt while uncle was in the hospital last month having surgery. I offered to sit with her, but their daughter told me she had the "situation under control" and that grandson was going to stay with her. This grandson has been in jail several times for drugs and failure to appear, and when I went to check on aunt and daughter found out, she accused me of meddling! It was only after they were at aunt's house for several days, that their daughter found out they had taken some of their meds, used their credit card and cashed checks they weren't suppose to have. But I was the meddler!
It is so hard trying to know what to do for loved ones in this situation. My parents were like your mom, they told my brother and myself that when they got where they couldn't take care of themselves, they wanted to go into a nursing facility. Mom had ALS and Dad had a stroke and was wheelchair bound. They made it so easy for my brother and myself and there was no guilt. Bless their hearts.
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