COMMENTS

17 responses to “Open Thread Update: Happy Festivus!”

1. I keep a magnifying glass in my kitchen due to small print or odd color print that I can barely read. Such as pale yellow print on light blue background. Also no cooking directions on package so I had to go online to the website to get this info. Getting a new phone is difficult also.

   Reply to Peggy

2. Pet peeves: Websites that use white text on a pastel background, electronics such as Bluetooth speakers with controls using black raised letters on black background (for On, Off, Volume up & down), credit cards with the card number in black font on dark background (& flat, not raised), tiny phone numbers on credit cards, appliances with smooth slippery knobs that are hard to turn, safety warnings that are too small to read, grocery deliveries with all heaviest items in same bag.

   Reply to Dinny

3. Being called honey or dear by people much younger than me.
   Being told I can have a seat at the bar in a restaurant when I am alone – I always say no. Do they want me to fall off and break a hip? Plus, no back support.
   Being ignored in a store or restaurant.

   Reply to Susan

4. My pet peeve is finding a coffee shop or almost any quick bite type restaurant that doesn’t require scanning a qr code, as opposed to a physical menu. In the same establishments , try finding a seat other than plastic bar stools with no seat backs.

   Reply to Harry Cohen

5. I hate hard to open stuff like the caps where you are supposed to squeeze on both sides abd twist open. My old arthritic hands struggle so to get that pepto bismol open. Once open (sometimes with the help of small pliers I keep in the kitchen drawer)! I leave it loosely capped.
   Why can’t manufacturers produce senior friendly easy open products? AARP here’s a cause for you to promote for us!
   Mary Katherine Reeber

   Reply to Mary Katherine Reeber

   1. Totally agree Emmy husband finds it hard to open water bottles-he had a transplant and can only drink purified water
      Medication bottles
      All white pills
      With ting codes to tell me what it is.
      Drs who do cataract surgery and don’t understand women and probably men’s need For Excellent Near Vi’sion .
      Know I still where transition lenses /-At least they are less costly
      Women
      Need close vision to read
      Ode our smart phones
      Clean house wash dishes
      Thread a needle
      Put makeup on-
      SEE WHAT I MEAN

      Reply to Jan

6. Two undesirables:
   1) Items, such as baby cameras, routers, etc., where the buttons and such have writing that is light gray print on a gray background. How is anyone supposed to read those?
   2) Children’s books that insist on using black print on pages that have a dark background, such as dark blue. Great books switch to white print on a dark background!

   Reply to DenverDave

7. Leaf blowers and loud motor cycles

   Reply to Gale

8. Cashiers who say “no problem” after I say “thank you” when they give me my receipt after I’ve paid. It’s their job — it’s not as if they’re going above and beyond.

   Reply to Sally

9. I just love your column , Virge.Hits the nail on the head evry time and written beautifully.

   Reply to Katherine

   1. My demands:
      Usable pockets in all clothes. Non negotiable, safety and comfort issue, at home or around town.
      Readable labels. Let’s add food, meds, and museums. I hate kneeling down at the grocery store
      Sturdy comfortable walking shoes. Powers the day.
      Health care workers wearing functional masks. Autoimmune, asthma, and 911 survivors come to your office every day.

      Reply to Barb

      1. I agree with all. Plus magazines that use gray tiny print instead of enlarging the words to use all the white space.

   2. Thank you for the feedback Katherine – and so nice to read!

      Reply to Virge

10. Grievance of local hospital treatment of senior patient
    Yes a mental health issue, a drinker
    Took him to er because he was in dangerous place .41 blood alcohol, hallucinating, cd not stand alone.
    I am 75, 2 days past spine surgery. Doc said here is some Librium, take him home to detox.
    I am a retired RN, I know better
    He ended up returning to hosp after 2 hours at home, by ambulance for a 2 week admit to detox. Very unsafe
    Do I talk to our hospital board?

    Reply to Anonymous

    1. Send a letter explaining the situation, and describe why you feel he should have been admitted the first time to: Medical Director of the ER, medical staff director, quality management director. Get their names first, by calling the Administrative office. Ask for a review of the case, and a response back afterwards. You might also write your State’s Department of Health at the same time, or if the hospital’s response is not satisfactory.

       Reply to Nancy

11. You can get around the back zipper problem with a wire hanger ( don’t tell Joan Crawford) . Hook the handle into the tab on the zipper

    Reply to Candace

    1. Great tip, thanks!

       Reply to Ruby in Manhattan