My Elder Interview

An elder is someone who Generation X looks up to, with many life experiences and hardships. The life events ranging from 1942 to present time that my Nana has encountered, are much greater than the hardships in today’s time. My Nana is a 73 year old widow since July 2014, she spent most of her life tending to others needs over her own. She was a graduate of Herndon High, and soon married at the age of eighteen. Her first occupation was a store clerk at Island Creek Company Store, in Herndon W.V. At the Company Store you would find groceries, furniture, hunting supplies, toiletry items and much more; similar to Walmart. My nana then became a bus driver, but was unable to retire do to my granny becoming ill and passing away, and my grandpa being diagnosed with cancer.
Physically and emotionally Patricia’s life has been like most her age who worked hard and desired a good life,
I ended up with colon cancer, but I was blessed to not have to take chemo treatment”. Also, having fibromyalgia and arthritis causing severe pain, she stated “Some days are worse than others”. Because her age plays a factor in how affective and mobile she can be, simple tasks such as: cleaning, going up and down stairs, driving at night, and reaching for items above her head is becoming more difficult. Due to a previous injury to the right ankle that resulted in a fracture and was reconstructed using pins, screws, and wires. This injury has limited her ROM and ability to complete some activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. Within the last few years an injury occurred to the rotator cuff on the left shoulder, causing agonizing pain and reoccurring issues that are addressed with her doctor. Physical therapy was performed to increase strength, ROM, and general use of the extremity. Equipment such as the Omni Cycle and Thera bands were used during treatment