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Showing posts from August, 2010

Tangled up in red

Today my husband got a letter from Medicare explaining changes to his benefits and payments of medicare premiums. The only problem is the wording of  the letters. Government agencies liked Medicare, social security, etc. use language in such a way that it's hard for people to understand. I'm (reasonably) intelligent and possess a college degree, Scott is very intelligent but he even has a hard time understanding government correspondence. The letters say visit our website or call our office if you have any questions. The problem is the websites are just as confusing and it's hard to get  a hold of someone at the offices. When do you finally get an actual live person sometimes they don't even seem to understand the policies. But that is government for you, make things as vague and confusing as possible and people will just give up asking questions. I think they like it that way. I just feel sorry for those who don't have anyone help them navigate through the exciting

Getting my grandmother ready for a doctor appointment is sometimes a comedy of errors

Both my grandmother and grandfather- I'll now be referring to them as Toots and Bobo- recently had a doctor's appointment. When I got to their house it was pouring down the rain. I was helping get my grandmother to the car. I had the umbrella over her, her purse on one arm, holding onto the back of her pants to keep her from falling on the slick ramp. My mother and grandfather behind me giving me instructions and yelling at me to not let her fall- well, if you'd be quiet I won't get distracted. Like I don't know how to get somebody in a car. Turns out I didn't because somehow Toots got contorted like a pretzel and couldn't get in the car. I finally did get her unfolded though.despite the fact my grandmother yelling at me to hurry up and get her in the car that she was getting wet. I pointed out to her she was the one with the umbrella over her. I was the one soaking. When the appointment was over she was hungry so when went to one of her favorite places to g