According to this post from AARP on Twitter, “The Care Gap is growing.” They report that, in 2010, there were 7.1 “potential” family caregivers for every American over 80 years old. Ten years from now by 2030, there will likely be only 4.1.
Last week I published a Meema story about Italian food in the 1950’s. The main idea of the story is that prior to WWII, Italian-American food was only really known in immigrant communities. But after the war all that changed: what had been exclusively ethnic food became shared, ethnic American food. I figured that such profound changes might inspire meaningful conversation in general, within our own family specifically, and perhaps even some stories about our own Anthony, my cousin.
Last week I tested Meema for the first time with my father, Ralph. It was a great experience.
I started by introducing or framing the activity.
Steve: Hey Dad, let me show you Meema. There might be some topics that interest you.
Ralph: Sure!
So we sat down together in the living room at the television: me, Dad and his wife, Lee Anne. I turned on the TV which was set up with the Amazon Firestick. All I needed to do to open the Meema “skill” was to ask for it.
West Side Story was an acclaimed and popular Broadway musical in 1959 and then Hollywood film in 1961. Based on the story of Romeo and Juliette, it is the story of an ill-fated and impossible love between Tony and Maria whose families and communities are at war with each other.
