Many Baby Boomers already dread “the
talk” –- suggesting their aging parents surrender car keys –- but now
two geriatric experts say another thorny, family question must be asked
of some elderly folks.
Is it time to give up your gun?
In a recently published paper,
the two physicians offer a five-point checklist meant to help
caregivers assess whether firearms remain safe in the hands and homes of
older Americans, particularly if the gun owners are exhibiting unclear
thinking or depression.
“Just like with some
(older) people, it’s not if you should stop driving, but when,” said Dr.
Ellen M. Pinholt, a co-author and former chief of geriatric medicine at
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. “If we find some dementia
present in a patient, it can be about when to lock up the weapon or
whether we have the family take it away.
More with video @ NBC
It is true of course that as we age many people become incompetent to care for themselves. They should not be allowed to drive, they should have their money managed for them and yes....they must give up their firearms. However as with
ReplyDeletevirtually EVERY issue in life what should be a decision to be made and implemented by family for the benefit of the elder relative is being twisted and mutated into an agenda driven crusade by moral do gooders and criminals in office to destroy freedom.
is being twisted and mutated into an agenda driven crusade by moral do gooders and criminals in office to destroy freedom.
DeleteDo gooders, how I detest them.
What's wrong with just leaving old folks alone to live out their last days as they wish?
ReplyDeleteI will slightly, ever so slightly concede the point about driving as older folks are sometimes dangerous to others when they drive but I just don't remember any old folks out shooting randomly at innocent people in the street. No, it's young folks, mostly already felons, who are doing that.
As for family deciding what is best for their parents, there is a bit too much of that as well. Oh mama we don't want you living alone, it's not safe. So they lock mama up in a place she doesn't want to be to endure the rest of her years when all she wants to do is live out her life in her own home. Death is inevitable. If you are in your 90's why would you want and why would your family want to take away your freedom just to extend your life for a few more months?
The truth is, most folks put their parents in some sort of "facility" so they don't have to be bothered with them any more. My mom will be 96 this month. She still lives at home alone. She still drives. Her license was renewed last year and is good until she is 99. She has already limited where and when she drives on her own without me having to tell her to do it. She's earned the right to live out her years as she pleases, where she wants to live. If she tells me it's time for her to move to a facility I'll do what I can to help her. Until then I try to make sure she has what she needs and is safe. If something happens to her at home and she dies there, so be it. She'll go the way she wants to go and I only pray that I'm allowed the same dignity.
Amen and deserves a post. Thanks.
Delete