Taking Time this July to Reflect on the Legacy and Community Lessons of Many Important People (All of US)

There are many important moments in July given our American 'Birthday' on the Fourth of our country. Along with the festivities we are honoring always those who did the initial freedom fighting as well as their mothers and fathers who gave them live, their communities and schools who nurtured and educated them and many more aspects of our society that 'keep everyone supported', there's still more to do.

This July 2019 is about hearing important ideas for the next leg of leadership in our country and in the race against climate change. There are more vocal advocates for issues regarding the beginning of life and allowing a person particularly a pregnant woman to decide what to do with her body as well as the possible life of each growing human being having attributes and possible rights as well.

Do they begin with 'a first breath' or with the ability to stay alive on one's own, or not unless a mother or parent or doctor says? These kinds of questions are pertinent for everyone to consider in each country...and America has had the options many other countries have not legalized. More of the freedoms come 'with strings'.

That may be promoting 'safe sex' as in 'with condoms or protection', birth control options (IUDs, spermicided and diaphragm or Plan B pills for 'the morning after' or within a few days as the products indicate.) The movie I was watching 'Too Young to Marry" is one I still have not seen fully, but these topics are coming up in bigger ways for more people to consider. I would caution people about making any 'rash decsions'. Understanding how each person is doing separately is key to whether they'd be a stable and happy couple. There's always some 'unknowns' but likely spending a couple of years of actual regular time with another could 'fill in the blanks'. Keeping a journal of feelings, questions and ideas would also make sense... same for any part of life really.

There is still 'abstinence' and more people are hearing about 'consent being necessary to have legal interactions with someone physically, sexually and so on.'

With all the important matters being discussed about caring for children and vulnerable populations, it is worth highlighting the need for everyone to be accountable for caring for others, and having elders and others who may be more prone to 'developing occasional setbacks or ongoing mental and physical decline' to be properly supervised and supported in their living situations.

There are vast numbers of people, hundreds of thousands even in a small state such as Connecticut, who Could be at risk for developing forgetfulness, wandering, or confusion.

Taking public transportation (trains, planes and buses for instance) could be a 'one way trip' to a place one doesn't know how to get back from or even start to ask for help about, possibly wandering in the midst of seeking help. The overall odds are fairly good if one has a social network to 'not go missing', but depending on the kinds of walks or area one lives in, that may also pose some special challenges.

Even healthier people out for adventure would benefit from 'thinking things through more carefully' with friends and leaders in one's community. Being aware of challenges in any terrain or around water for instance could be promoted with more public education campaigns.

Clarifying who would 'need a conservator' andd hopefully be clear about how to get one voluntarily instead of having one's rights taken away would be a helpful step for more people to learn about from skilled professionals and doing research for their state. 

If they cannot make reliable decisions or are declining in their thinking abilities, talking with elder law attorneys who have medicaid training as well makes sense.

These are not 'luxury line' types of information but rather basic 'requirements' lest one be caught off guard or otherwise suffer risk or actual wandering or harm due to a mental or physical condition.

Living alone or with caregivers who do not have a lot of training and understanding about the potential to 'have bouts of energy and ability to pursue an activity such as walking, driving or otherwise being more independent than usual, even with money spending or lending etc, can be serious risk factors.

The family and friends lining up support could also have a team to help them 'do their job and due dlilidgence' with oversight. Sometimes a person can 'wander from one area in a house to seemingly nowhere outdoors.' The antidote for that happening would be locks on all doors (even time), sound alarms if the door opens, fences and gates (even a couple of them in case a lock is loose or figured out. Signage would prevent someone from 'assuming the person could just go outside. '

More detailed lists of what to watch for regarding Alzheimer's and dementia would be a big help too. There are a handful of articles about the disappearance of Tom Drew, 91, of Salisbury CT on July 21, 2007. I have reflected on this sad turn of events and the many searches and articles tha thave been done. There are some discrepancies. It would likely be helpful to have a more comprehensive 'detailed account' for all in the MA/NY CT area to have to understand what happened that evening and the number of searches that were done and much more.

As difficult as these things are, and as hard as it is to know that not everyone believes what I shared about those final hours and the night he went missing since I was his caregiver, I look at all of this as a huge learning process. I happened to read through a couple of the stories regarding Tom Drew's life and disappearance online toight and have been writing this rather late at night, as soon as I could to help people make plans to Get Safe and Be Safe as much as possible, particularly for elders.

Thanks for doing what you do. Most people are 'doing just fine' but I like to metion that others are looking for some 'work in progress they'd like to be able to join in. Helping others figure things out and promoting good safety standards throughout a community could keep one engaged in meaningful efforts for quite a while. I hope this post inspires more to do just that. Thanks for reading and see you now 'tomorrow' as I post and head to bed.