Author Topic: The Library (Read 2299286 times)

JoanK · « **Reply #11080 on:** April 30, 2013, 07:24:17 PM »

The Library

Our library cafe is open 24/7, the welcome mat is always out.
Do come in from daily chores and spend some time with us.

We look forward to hearing from you, about you and the books you are enjoying (or not).

Let the book talk begin here!

*Suggestion Box for Future Discussions
*SeniorLearn's Archives

I'm glad you're over the hard part. Now you don't have as much time pressure to unpack. (but, as my niece warned me, if you start using the unpacked cases as end tables, you've probably waited too long

).

Steph · « **Reply #11081 on:** May 01, 2013, 08:31:51 AM »

I offered andmy sons took me up on some of the major pictures.. But I still have a lot of smaller watercolors since when we went overseas, we would buy small original watercolors of villages or sights and I do so love them. Still I am working it out.. This morning I am going to talk to a caterer about Mothers Days,. The boys,wives and grandchildren are coming up for the day and I know Will not be quite ready to cook a large meal. I can probably get a cold or heat up meal from the caterer the day before.
Don't want to go out, since myMothers day present will be to hang at least one of my pot racks, some of the large stained glass and installing a fan and light in the second bedroom. Whew.

MaryPage · « **Reply #11082 on:** May 01, 2013, 09:35:13 AM »

Whew is right. You go, Steph!

salan · « **Reply #11083 on:** May 01, 2013, 12:06:24 PM »

I am still fighting jaw infection in spite of surgery (titanium jaw) and scraping of jaw bone. I went to an infectious disease specialist last week and am scheduled to have a picc line put in next week. I will need to be on intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks. Have any of you gone through anything like this? I am a little apprehensive. I am also really upset with Medicare. They will pay for the entire procedure if I am hospitalized for 6 weeks; but won't pay for home health to come administer it in my home. Does that make any sense? It would be much more expensive to be in the hospital for that length of time... I opted to stay home & pay for home health care out of my pocket. Fortunately I can afford to do this; but it doesn't make any sense to me.
Sally

JoanK · « **Reply #11084 on:** May 01, 2013, 02:49:15 PM »

SALLY: {{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}

I know, I know! I have to pay for home health care our of pocket, and it's really a drain!!!!!

MaryPage · « **Reply #11085 on:** May 01, 2013, 03:04:35 PM »

There was a huge, about a full newspaper page and a half, about just that thing in The Washington Post recently, Sally.

They pointed out that Medicare is in the process of refusing to pay for Home Care visiting nurses for any reason whatsoever. And the article points out that sending a nurse around to check on the elderly living alone (alone together also) on a regular basis keeps them taking their medicines, not taking too much medicine, eating right, catching things that are wrong before they go too far wrong, SAVES tons of money in the long run, as not nearly as many of these patients wind up in the emergency rooms with problems that have worsened.

Pity that there is someone or ones on the board making decisions for Medicare that simply cannot see the practical aspects of this matter.

But no, their attitude is "if they need care, put them in the HOSPITAL so they cannot take advantage of the system!"

How ignorant can you get?!?

Obviously unlimitedly so. Go figure!

There is one whale of a lot of paranoia out there!

pedln · « **Reply #11086 on:** May 01, 2013, 03:42:07 PM »

Mary Page, I read that article in the Washington Post and then sent the link on to my public health daughter and her nurse practioner friend. Her response is below

Affordable Care Management

Quote

Interesting. One of the programs at VNS (Visiting Nurse -- New York) works on this model; lots of effort/money going into to keeping people out of the hospital. Definitely a win-win for patient and payer.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11087 on:** May 01, 2013, 04:59:44 PM »

I guess the thing to do is look at the profit motive - are hospitals seeing a profit in that the costs may not be as great as the bill paid by medicare of us. Do not know but somewhere there has to be a profit to someone to make this decision because they sure never care about the comfort and expense to a patient who is out of their house.

MaryPage · « **Reply #11088 on:** May 01, 2013, 06:03:39 PM »

I am not sure it is to keep people going to the hospital and having the hospitals reap the profits rather than the contractors providing the team of nurses.
I may be wrong. Obviously, I may be wrong.
But what I keep hearing some politicians who are opposed to spending money on preventative care or to help the children and the elderly is this: "they are not entitled. If they are sick, then they can go to the emergency room. But they are not entitled to all this free medical care."
I don't get it.
I really just don't get it.
But I think it is a form of paranoia, I really do. The attitude is a real panic over "maybe these hoards and hoards of people out there who have not worked (like babies who need shots?) and saved and provided for themselves the way I have will try to take a piece of what I have, and I'm just not going to let that happen. Cut 'em off at the pass. Don't give so much as a millimeter in the direction of free care."

JeanneP · « **Reply #11089 on:** May 01, 2013, 06:57:14 PM »

It seems like the US have just a opposite way of thinking when it comes to seniors. Here they do want you to stay in a hospital for 6 weeks even if you are just laying there. If thy had a better Home Help system they would be money ahead. Even some people would be able to be home with Alzheimer's as long as no other health problems.
I watched how the Home help were on 4 different trips back to UK to be with elder family. Men come to take care of a man. Such as bathing and dressing in Mornings. Back again at bedtime to take care of that. My aunt was home and he was no problems other than 2 big for her to lift in any way. After he passed and she got a problem. Same attention along with cleaners, Die titions, Even the Dr. stopped in twice a week to see her. Her daughter and soninlaw lived next door. They got paid Xamount as caregivers. Sam lived to 80 and aunt passed 2 years at 94.
With all this I am sure that it was much less than them going into a hospital. Back and forth.
My Daughter MIL in Texas passed a month ago. Went in hospital and was in 6 weeks. Went in for Broncit is at first. She then had a fall in there. Put a part hip in all in first week. She was set then to go into a Nursing home as she was 88 thought it better place. They took some furniture to set her up. suppose to be released after 3rd week. Well her doctor decided to go on vacation and hospital would not release her until he signed and he came back after 2 weeks. So so far in for 5 weeks. Then she go Pneumonia and died. Still in Hospital. They got the Statements for it all last week. Hospital was $230000.00 and we wonder why Medicare and Insurance companies are in trouble.

MaryPage · « **Reply #11090 on:** May 01, 2013, 07:05:00 PM »

That's another peculiar thing, people often go into a hospital with one thing and wind up with an entirely different infection contracted while in hospital killing them.

JeanneP · « **Reply #11091 on:** May 01, 2013, 07:08:20 PM »

It seems like the US have just a opposite way of thinking when it comes to seniors. Here they do want you to stay in a hospital for 6 weeks even if you are just laying there. If thy had a better Home Help system they would be money ahead. Even some people would be able to be home with Alzheimer's as long as no other health problems.

I watched how the Home help were on 4 different trips back to UK to be with elder family. Men come to take care of a man. Such as bathing and dressing in Mornings. Back again at bedtime to take care of that.
My aunt was home and he was no problems other than 2 big for her to lift in any way. After he passed and she got a problem. Same attention along with cleaners, Die titions, Even the Dr. stopped in twice a week to see her.
Her daughter and soninlaw lived next door. They got paid Xamount as caregivers. Sam lived to 80 and aunt passed 2 years at 94.

With all this I am sure that it was much less than them going into a hospital. Back and forth.

My Daughter MIL in Texas passed a month ago. Went in hospital and was in 6 weeks. Went in for Broncit is at first. She then had a fall in there. Put a part hip in all in first week. She was set then to go into a Nursing home as she was 88 thought it better place.

They took some furniture to set her up. suppose to be released after 3rd week. Well her doctor decided to go on vacation and hospital would not release her until he signed and he came back after 2 weeks. So so far in for 5 weeks. Then she go Pneumonia and died. Still in Hospital. They got the Statements for it all last week. Hospital was $230000.00 and we wonder why Medicare and Insurance companies are in trouble.

JoanK · « **Reply #11092 on:** May 01, 2013, 07:49:43 PM »

There is a program here that will pay a relative to look after you. But not a living wage. And not everyone has such a relative.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #11093 on:** May 01, 2013, 09:41:48 PM »

Write to your Congressman/woman and Senators and tell them your stories!!! They are influenced by their mail.

Steph · « **Reply #11094 on:** May 02, 2013, 07:59:25 AM »

Oh Sally, I am so sorry. My brother had the implant..They put him in a nursing facility, not a hospital, but I think he was on Medicaid at the time. It took a long time to clear up the infection and I don't think they ever knew why it came.
Our health system is not any fun..But then again when politicians and career government gets into the act, bad things happen.

nlhome · « **Reply #11095 on:** May 02, 2013, 02:15:42 PM »

Profit and prejudices get in the way of common sense and efficiency in health care all the time, it seems.

But I agree with Mabel - write the stories, send the emails to Congress. Mostly it seems an empty gesture, but every once in awhile there is a positive result. It's like winning the lottery - can't win if you don't buy a ticket.

Frybabe · « **Reply #11096 on:** May 02, 2013, 05:46:46 PM »

I've put in my application to the my local branch library for volunteer work. The Librarian is happy to have me and is interested that I have enough computer knowledge to be some slight help to visitors. Since she is looking for some buildings and a flatbed car to add to the O gauge train setup in the children's section I suggested she contact the local Norfolk Southern office to see if they have any employees that would like to donate or help. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I think I'm going to be happy there.

JoanK · « **Reply #11097 on:** May 02, 2013, 06:08:46 PM »

That sounds wonderful!

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11098 on:** May 02, 2013, 07:13:47 PM »

Great Frybabe - nothing renews us more than being with the public to keep us alert to what is going on in our community and to have folks we can say Hay to when we grocery shop since everyone in the neighborhood is in the grocery story one time or another.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #11099 on:** May 03, 2013, 03:19:27 AM »

Oooh Frybabe, I am so jealous. I would love to volunteer at one of our libraries, but the entire UK library system is dead set against volunteers - it's been suggested more and more recently in the light of council cuts, but the staff see it as a way of elbowing them out of their jobs, so they will not contemplate it.

I can see their point, but if they would let people volunteer the libraries could offer so much more. The lady in charge of our brand new library in Haddington is always rushed off her feet, and although they do do quite a lot, they could offer many more things if they had some voluntary help. However, I doubt if we will ever change the mindset here.

Good luck with your new role, it sounds fascinating and you will bring so much to it.

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #11100 on:** May 03, 2013, 02:26:31 PM »

we have to be vetted just like an employee. I jumped through all their hoops, only saying that I preferred not to work in the childrens section.Guess where they wanted me and when I turned it down, they have never asked again.. I was not a happy person on that one. I like some small children, but not all and have watched them destroy in our little library.. The childrens librarian is a very very nice woman with the patience of Job, but not me.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #11101 on:** May 03, 2013, 02:40:09 PM »

A few years back I volunteered at one of my branch libraries. Due to health prob I had to give it up. Now I want to do so again, but now you have to go downtown and fill out all this stuff like you were going to be an employee, and go through a background check!
There are teenagers who volunteer there, who look so grungy I don't know how they passed a background check or a library test.
Said maybe they could get the person to visit the different branches and take applications.

Frybabe · « **Reply #11102 on:** May 03, 2013, 02:51:52 PM »

When I volunteered for RSVP of Central PA, I had to fill out an application very similar to one for a paid job. The Library application asked for much less.

I don't care to be in the children's section either, mostly because I have very little experience around them. I liked the little ones, before they become know it alls, who are curious about everything. Eons ago I became de facto block mother when all the women on my block worked and I was home AND lived right at the end of the cul du sac so that I could see the kids get off the school bus. They all knew I'd be home, so when they forgot their keys or Mom didn't get back in time, they showed up at my door for a little TV and snack. Several of the preschoolers often visited me when I was out in the garden. Needless to say, they came with tons of questions, like what am I doing, WHY, what is this plant or that plant or that bug, etc. Explanations were necessarily short because their attention spans were zip.

The Librarian asked if I would like to lead a F2F book group. How scary is that! Never participated in one let along lead one.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #11103 on:** May 03, 2013, 03:04:36 PM »

You'd love doing the f2f book group. Our group now has to do this, and we make suggestions about what to read, and when we pick a book, whoever recommended it, leads the group.
We're very simple - - we bring info about the author, open the discussion, about anything to do with the book; characters, places, whatever interests us. We had an excellent discussion just last night, when only five of us were present, regarding "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay. We chose for our next selection "The Girl With the Pearl Earring". We don't really get into the "reviewer" type thing, with a bunch of questions pulled off the internet, although we do ask questions and everyone gets a chance to chime in!
Unfortunately, when library funds got chopped, we could no longer have a librarian lead the discussions and provide copies of the books for us. So we have to go to the Library's website, find out how many copies of the chosen book are available, and each person checks out their own book. We do not emphasize "purchasing" the book, although some of us do if it is one we'd like to make part of our personal collection. I know I've probably said all this before, if not here, then Srs&Friends, or another of our boards here. But this is just to refresh memories so that Frybabe might consider "leading".

Frybabe · « **Reply #11104 on:** May 03, 2013, 03:09:55 PM »

Sarah's Key is STILL in my TBR pile, Tome.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #11105 on:** May 03, 2013, 03:12:11 PM »

By all means, put it near the top! It's subject matter is not "heartwarming",but the story is excellent, and imparts info that most folks don't really know about Paris in the occupation.
There is an excellent movie also with Kristen Scott Thomas.

JeanneP · « **Reply #11106 on:** May 03, 2013, 07:15:38 PM »

Both the DVd and the book on "Sarah's key" very good. Another book like it was "The Reader" Also in DvD

nlhome · « **Reply #11107 on:** May 03, 2013, 07:32:08 PM »

Most government agencies, including schools and libraries, require formal applications, background checks, etc., for volunteers these days. As one department head in our building would say, "liability, liability, liability."

But it also means that people are definitely committed to volunteering.

Our library actively pursues volunteers. It's a way of enhancing basic services. We have both structured story hours with a librarian and "drop-in" story hours conducted by volunteers - if not for the volunteers there would be fewer children able to participate. Same with other programming.

Steph · « **Reply #11108 on:** May 04, 2013, 08:22:46 AM »

Our library does not pursue volunteers and seems to prefer using the students at the community college. No idea why, but even though I am a member of Friends of Library and have donated money and books,, if I don't want to do children, they are not interested. Stupid.
Ah getting used to a live gated community is weird at best. I just needed to notify the gate that the locksmith will be here Monday..They even wanted a time..

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11109 on:** May 04, 2013, 02:06:07 PM »

Some of those scruffy looking kids that are volunteers in the Library may be youngsters on probation - here community service of many hours required along with visits to their probation councilor include on the accepted list the library. As the saying goes hitting two birds with one stone - the association is to encourage an interest in books and further learning but at least some learning while they are filing or stacking books.

pedln · « **Reply #11110 on:** May 04, 2013, 03:07:28 PM »

Frybabe, you would do great as a f2f book leader.

My f2f group meets at the library, but we do our own leading -- taking turns each month. We all suggest books, and the leader is usually leading her suggestion. She usually gives some background on the author, if available, and if the book focuses on something special, a little background on that too. And then the rest of us pipe in with our comments about the book.

Steph · « **Reply #11111 on:** May 05, 2013, 08:57:27 AM »

Some of the young people in the library are really good volunteers, but there are also some that hide in the back and giggle a lot and do nothing.. Our head of library is very very soft on them. Not a good thing with teens, having had two of them.
My Bright House installer had no English and left me with a true mess of wires all tangled and all connected in the back of the tv router.. Always before they connected through the computer.. Now I have a very very slow internet download, wires tangled beyond belief and I have to somehow disconnect them on Wednesday when the new tv stand arrives.. Sigh.. If it does not work perfectly, I will call and complain. I was angry when he left, but could not get through to him.When they called to see if all was well, I told them I did not think so, but they sluffed me off.. Not twice, they wont.

JeanneP · « **Reply #11112 on:** May 05, 2013, 02:47:10 PM »

I have all my computer,printer and everything else inside a "Ar moire (Never could spell that right). LIke everything hidden in it and can close doors. But the wiring. What a mess. and can hardly be reached from behind. I put coloured things around each wire cord telling me what they are to. All got so tangled up. Would like to just go back to a regular desk but then I would be able to see the mess."

MaryPage · « **Reply #11113 on:** May 05, 2013, 06:05:03 PM »

You will want to read "A Quiet Strength: Inspirational Stories of Older American Women" by Joanne Alloway.

Steph · « **Reply #11114 on:** May 06, 2013, 07:45:40 AM »

At this point, I have drawn a schematic on the wires connected to the various things. That is the best I can do.Can nottrace them back because of the huge tangle in the middle.At the wall, he seems to have connected a lot of things dangling rather than connected to the wall.What a mess.

ginny · « **Reply #11115 on:** May 06, 2013, 09:07:04 AM »

What a mess, Steph! They need to figure that out and fix it. I need a Gated Community here, wouldn't it be nice to have somebody to keep out all the salesmen. (I need one on the phone, too, the Do Not Call List..... Does Not Work) and one for general life issues. I need a Gated Community Watchman! hahahaa

I am reading Jenny Sanford's book, due to the article in Time Magazine this week on her husband, Mark ("hiking in the Appalachian mountains") Sanford. (The election is tomorrow). She said he was emotionally clueless, it's a very interesting book. I'm also reading an unauthorized bio of Liberace (discussed in Fiction which is the wrong place).

He's running against Stephen Colbert's sister. Their father allowed them to choose how their name would be pronounced. ColBEAR the TV personality chose that version, she took COL bert. If you were writing a fiction novel, you couldn't make this stuff up.

PatH · « **Reply #11116 on:** May 06, 2013, 11:18:35 AM »

The Do Not Call list has loopholes. Charities, political organizations, and anyone who has done business with you in the last 2 years are exempt. It helps, though, in spite of the many violaters.

I am waging war against violations. I report them all. This is easy to do on the government website, though you need to use star 69 to get the caller's number:

https://donotcall.gov/

After many months, I no longer get calls from Rachel at "Cardmember Services" who called from multiple numbers, once a week or more, offering to lower my interest rate (which I don't have, since I never leave a balance on credit cards). Now I'm working on the people who want to lower the rate on my mortgage (I don't have one).

I figure that if people do this enough, violations will become less common.

maryz · « **Reply #11117 on:** May 06, 2013, 11:23:44 AM »

Rachel's quit calling us, too.

CallieOK · « **Reply #11118 on:** May 06, 2013, 12:26:15 PM »

What information do I need about the "Rachels" to complain about this violation?

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #11119 on:** May 06, 2013, 12:43:33 PM »

Surprise, surprise, when I went to the DoNotCall site, obviously my number was not still listed with them, although I had done that when it first came out, and again last year. So I registered my house phone and both cell phone #s. That ought to help some. Rachel calls me a great deal, too. Plus I get calls from carpet cleaning, alarm systems, etc. and I have never called or done business with any of them. The charities that call, I know I have done business with them, and I don't mind getting their calls.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2299286 times)